A Stroke for my Birthday?

Recently,in May, the morning of my birthday, I woke up to find weakness on my right side and slurring of my speach. I was taken to the hospital where it was discovered that I had a slight stroke for my 55th birthday! I am so lucky that this stroke did not paralize me, but I have lost the sense of pain sensation of hot or cold in my right hand and cannot control my hand very well. I have also lost much of the taste of food on most of the inside of my tongue and mouth. I have a little droop on the right side of my mouth, I slur my speach a little,and my muscles are weak, but can walk fairly well, and use a cane more for balance and climbing stairs or walking on rough surfaces.

I found out during my hospitalization that my left carotid artery is about 99% closed up in the area leading to my brain, and have to have that artery opened and cleaned out soon or I stand the chance of having another stroke with more severe repercussions. I have just finished testing of my heart to make certain my heart did not have more blockages and could withstand the surgery. Now I am just waiting for the surgery to be scheduled. This surgery is scarry, and I hope everything turns out alright.

I would love to hear from others who have had this same surgery done, and how their experiences were like. I should be scheduled any time this month.