Meteorologist returning to job after stroke



He expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming show of concern from the public.
By GUY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Meteorologist Mark Koontz walked through the WFMJ TV-21 studios Tuesday, two months after he suffered a stroke while delivering an on-air weather segment.
He was greeted by hugs and handshakes from co-workers who last saw him in the station on March 18, when he fell ill.
Koontz, who does the weekend weather reports, will return to work Saturday, with his first segment coming on the 6 p.m. newscast.
He will also be a guest on "WFMJ Today" Thursday morning.
Looking fit, healthy and energetic, Koontz shows no physical aftereffects of the stroke.
Valley's support
The 55-year-old broadcaster could hardly express his gratitude for the outpouring of support he received from the community.
"It was absolutely incredible. I have a stack of cards like this," he said, while holding his hands a foot apart. He also received a multitude of e-mails from get-well wishers.
"I have a lot to be thankful for," he continued. "Youngstown is a family-oriented town, and when it comes to something devastating happening to one of its own, they really come around. It was overwhelming."
Koontz recounted the Saturday evening when he was stricken.
He was alone, preparing his weather report in a room adjacent to the broadcast studio, when the stroke hit.
"I didn't know what was happening," he said. "I couldn't speak. I kept stammering. It didn't make sense to me that I couldn't speak. I was fluent [in understanding my work], and I was walking around, but I couldn't speak."
It was a good thing that he went on the air when he did. "I was lucky there were people around," he said.
With help from news anchor Jennifer Baligush, the visibly stricken Koontz was able to finish his weather report, though he had trouble finding words.
His segment began about 6:15 p.m. and by 6:40 p.m., ambulance personnel were outside the studio, caring for him.
"I was at Northside Hospital by 7, and at Cleveland Clinic at 10:30 [p.m.]," he said.
Confused and in the midst of a sudden and terrifying physical attack, the longtime broadcaster nevertheless remained cool and professional.
"I wanted to finish the show," he recalled.
During and after Koontz's segment, calls flooded the station from concerned viewers.
Lesson
Koontz, who lives in Cleveland, said the experience left him wiser.
"We all learn lessons in life," he said. "I've learned that I have to cut back on my stress level. I've always been a high-strung guy. I burn the candle at both ends ...
"... This is the ultimate thing that can happen. I had to say to myself, 'What's next?'"
With a doctor's supervision, Koontz said he will make some dietary changes and lead a more stress-free life.
"I've already lost 10 pounds," he said.
Fortunate
Koontz, who said his health is "90 percent back," knows he's fortunate.
"The doctor told me that 60 percent of people who have strokes never go back to work," he said. "Many suffer paralysis and slurring of speech. They say that, three months after a stroke, whatever you haven't gotten back, you'll never get back."
Though he shows no tell-tale signs of stroke, Koontz said he might be just a little bit slower. "But I'll be able to counterbalance it," he said.

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