PROSPER, Texas – Bob Lilly, a former defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is being praised for his quick actions that helped save his wife’s life during a medical emergency.
The ordeal began in February when she awoke with a severe headache, and today marks her celebration of surviving and recovering from a dangerous hemorrhagic stroke. Ann Lilly, Bob’s wife, experienced a stroke It’s been a challenging journey to recovery, with Ann spending the past 10 weeks in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities after enduring a life-threatening stroke.
Today, she finally has the opportunity to return home. It’s a significant day for 80-year-old Ann Lilly as she completes her final therapy session at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Prosper. Ann suffered a life-threatening stroke on February 28. She alerted her husband, Bob Lilly, the former Dallas Cowboys defensive end and Pro Football Hall of Famer, about a sudden, severe headache.
Ann underwent emergency brain surgery due to the stroke. She was subsequently placed on a ventilator and feeding tube. Over the last 20-plus days, she has been receiving physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Every day she shows progress. Now, she’s healthy enough to go home. What they’re saying: Dr. Faisel Zaman, who has been treating Ann since her transfer to Encompass for rehabilitation, explained that her stroke was hemorrhagic, indicating bleeding into her brain tissue.
Dr. Zaman emphasized the importance of Bob’s recognition of the signs and his prompt response. “The consequences could’ve been catastrophic. You know he saved her life,” Dr. Zaman stated. According to the American Stroke Association, nearly 800,000 Americans will experience a new or recurrent stroke this year.
Dig deeper: Doctors and medical staff gathered to applaud Ann as she was wheeled out with her husband and son by her side. Ann expressed gratitude for all the people who supported her in reaching this milestone and will continue to receive home health care for several months. One of her aspirations is to resume her daily one-and-a-half-mile walks with her husband. Doctors are optimistic about her potential for a full recovery.
