By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Friday, September 25, 2015
With just three days to go before the next competition round of "Dancing With the Stars," Atlanta's Kim Zolciak was still in the hospital Friday after she reported having a mini-stroke on Wednesday.
She posted a photo of herself on Instagram that you see above with this message:
UPDATE: The Daily Mail said she did return home on Friday and that the procedure had to do with an unspecified underlying heart condition.
Tony Dovolani, her dance partner, is hanging with her and TMZ says he's trying to teach her dance moves in the hospital room.
He sent out a statement:
"After spending only a few weeks with Kim, it is evident of how much of a fighter she is," he said. "Her humor and positivity are still shining through, and it's amazing to see the love and support of her family. We are hoping for a speedy recovery."
Her mini-stroke - or "transient ischemic attack" - happens when "blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or reduced, often by a blood clot," according to WebMD. "After a short time, blood flows again and the symptoms go away."
The site noted: "A TIA is a warning: it means you are likely to have a stroke in the future." Zolciak felt numbness on the left side of her body and for a time, couldn't speak.
Will she be able to get out of the hospital, rehearse and fly to Los Angeles in time for Monday night's competition? That sounds like a tall order but she has not pulled out as of Friday afternoon and TMZ says she is determined to stay. For each week, you stay in the competition, you earn more money. So there is that financial incentive.
Based on contracts made available in recent years, the base salary for rehearsing three weeks and performing the first couple of shows has been $125,000 with $10,000 to $50,000 extra incentive bonuses per week depending how far you get. So the winner in the past has pocketed $340,000.
About the Author
