Christmas Eve is for some a time for celebration, spending time with family and friends during the holiday season. For Robert Miller, Christmas Eve 2015 was the day he almost lost his life.

After returning from a 12-hour road trip to visit his daughter in North Carolina, Miller began to feel very sleepy. His wife, Lorraine, recognized something was wrong when Miller's face began to contort and his speech slurred. She quickly drove him to the Emergency Department at Broward Health Coral Springs.

After being stabilized, Miller was transferred to Broward Health North, because it is a comprehensive stroke center that offers advanced care for stroke.

Mohammed Abdallah, D.O., a vascular surgeon at Broward Health, performed a right carotid endarterectomy procedure. He removed the inner lining of the carotid artery and the plaque buildup that was obstructing blood flow to the brain and caused Miller's stroke."

"After I awoke from surgery, Dr. Abdallah told me there was a very large 80 to 85 percent blockage in my right carotid artery," said Miller. "Not only did Dr. Abdallah save my life, but he spent time comforting my wife and family who were worried about me since I had never been through a surgery before."

"There was nothing more gratifying than seeing Mr. Miller and his family after the surgery," Dr. Abdallah said. "I think it was the best holiday gift for me and his family."

Miller spent five days in the hospital and made a full recovery. Since being discharged, he has made changes to his lifestyle by exercising regularly and watching his diet.

"This Christmas, like every Christmas since my stroke, I am reminded of how close I was to not being able to spend another holiday with my grandchildren," Miller said. "I hug my family a little tighter now, and I'm so thankful that Broward Health was there to save my life. Broward Health gave me a Christmas miracle...my life"