LAFAYETTE, La. - What began as a routine workday for Cody Mullen in late December 2024 quickly spiraled into a life-threatening medical nightmare. Now, over a month after suffering a stroke, Mullen has bravely shared his story in hopes of raising awareness about the dangers that may be lurking in places you would never expect.

Mullen, a hardworking husband and father, went about his regular routine on December 26, 2024. After stopping at a local gas station to purchase a gallon of water, he returned to his office, ate a handful of cashews, and unknowingly licked his fingers. Within an hour, he felt his body shutting down. At first, he believed he had contracted a severe flu, experiencing body aches, chills, and a racing heart. But as the symptoms escalated into a terrifying, near-death experience, he still had no clue how shocking the actual truth about his condition would be.

His body was in distress, his heart pounding at over 200 beats per minute. The night was agonizing as he fought through the symptoms, convinced that no one was coming to save him. By 3 a.m., the worst had passed, and he finally collapsed into sleep. However, the following days only brought more concerning signs -- his kidneys ached, his lungs were weak, and his energy was drained. It wasn't until speaking with a friend, Lester Hebert, that the possibility of drug exposure was raised. Testing confirmed something he would be blindsided with: Mullen had fentanyl and methamphetamine in his system.

What's worse was that he had been exposed to dangerous drugs -- without his knowledge or consent.

Medical evaluations in the following weeks revealed even more damage. His kidneys struggled, his liver was impaired, and his heart had developed atrial fibrillation. This condition ultimately led to a stroke on February 11, landing him in the ICU for nine days. The reality of what had happened was devastating, but Mullen remained determined to survive for his wife and children.

His story has since gone viral, with hundreds of people offering prayers, support, and words of encouragement. His mother, April Mullen, expressed gratitude to God for sparing her son's life. Many friends echoed the sentiment, with Deborah Hardy writing, "Your story needs to be heard. I hope it goes viral honestly. No weapon formed against you shall prosper."

Others, like Brittany Guzman, praised his courage: "The simple fact that you are still fighting -- that alone is incredible. That is nothing short of a miracle and a great God!"

The overwhelming support continues to pour in, with friends and family sending love, prayers, and words of encouragement for his recovery. "So scary to think this could have happened to a child," commented Jana Duplantis LeBlanc.

While Mullen's road to recovery will still be uncertain, his faith and determination are unwavering. "I just hope this may have happened to me so that it didn't happen to you," he wrote. His story is being shared by hundreds who are using it as a warning to others to remain vigilant, be cautious of any exchanged money or items in public, and protect themselves and loved ones from the unseen dangers that we're not susceptible to in everyday encounters.

For now, Mullen continues to heal, surrounded by his supportive wife and children, and remains hopeful that he will come out of this stronger than ever. We appreciate him having the courage to share his experience, as it is already making an impact in helping to prevent others from facing a similar fate.

We're sending prayers and well wishes to Mullen, and you can keep up with him through his Facebook post, where he continues to update friends and family on his recovery journey.