FLINT TOWNSHIP, MI – Even after her dream came true of meeting Bog Seger, 79-year-old Evie Branan continues telling her story about waking up from a five-year coma.

And later this month, she will have the chance to tell many more people as a guest on a Detroit-area medical talk show. Filming for Ask Dr. Nandi takes place July 28.

"(I'm) very excited. I'm excited about everything," Branan said. "Oh man, it's unreal. Everybody knows me."

Her story started six years ago, when she suffered a massive stroke. She went from living a healthy, independent life to becoming a resident of Flint Township's Willowbrook Manor in the long-term care unit.

She couldn't speak, move or eat on her own, and the staff members were doing everything for her. That's how it was for more than five years, until she came out of a coma on May 7, 2011.

The first words out of her mouth? "I want to go to a Bob Seger concert."

On April 11, Branan's wish came true and she has been capturing the attention and the hearts of people all over the country ever since.

"She's inspirational. ... She has and infectious personality," said Dr. Partha Nandi, host of Ask Dr. Nandi. "What Evie does is give you hope. Her story is not always the most typical, but with a stroke you can have recovery after a year or two years."

Nandi's father had a stroke and was told by doctors after only two weeks that he would probably not recover, so he is personally inspired by Branan's story, he said.

Branan will talk about if she remembers anything about the time she was non communicative, Nandi said. She will also be asked what it was like when she first came out of coma and what life is like now.

"She's somebody who is full of spirit and love of life. You can tell she's a go getter," Nandi said, adding that he's excited to meet her in person.

Michelle Cross, administrator at Willowbrook Manor, is happy for all the opportunities Branan has had throughout the year. After her story told for the first time, she appeared on CNN, National Examiner, various other news sites, radio shows and drew visitors and fans from all over, Cross said.

People recognize her wherever she goes, asking to take photos and hear her story.

"We call her 'Hollywood' and she loves it," Cross said, adding that it's great to see Branan telling her story. "It's heartwarming. She is such a wonderful lady. I would like everybody who could meet her to meet her. "

MLive-Flint Journal has been following Branan's journey since April. She rode in a limo to Auburn Hills to see Bog Seger perform at The Palace on May 7. She met him backstage and even got to see his dressing room.

And things haven't slowed down much for Branan since, Cross said.

She has been walking more and working through physical therapy.

"She's very determined. ... (The journey has) just made her very determined to do what she needs to do. She's seen as a motivator around here. When we have patients that don't want to go to therapy she goes to them and says, 'Don't give up. Keep trying.'"

Branan, a spunky 79-year-old who always has decorated nails and colorful make-up and jewelry, appreciates everything about life, but more than anything she wants to inspire and encourage those who have lost hope.

And even though Branan has received a lot of attention, she's not letting that change who she is, she said.

"You'd be surprised of how many people want to shake my hand because they knew I shook (Bob Seger's hand). They ask, 'Can I shake your hand. I've never shook a celebrity's hand before," Branan said. "It's hard to come down off that cloud. Everybody thinks I will get a big head, but I'm never going to change. I will stay just as I am."

When someone wants to give up, Branan makes sure to tell them her story and how everything changed. Some call her a miracle.

And Branan is starting to realize that maybe it was a miracle.

"I didn't realize what really happened to me until people started telling me," she said.

Cross and a few others from Willowbrook Manor will be sitting proudly in the Ask Dr. Nandi audience later this month.

The show, which started filming in January 2012 in Troy, is medical lifestyle show. Along with Branan, the show filmed July 28 will have experts and a stroke victim in her 20s.

Over the past year the show has had a variety of topics, such suicide, breast cancer, how to take care of your elderly parents and the phases of dating.

Branan is really excited to be on the show. She's so used to telling her story that her only concern now is to get a new outfit.

"I'm going to dress up," Branan said. "I need to go buy me some dress up clothes because I haven't dressed up in seven years."

Cross said Branan will do great on the show and her personality will shine through.

"I think she's going to be a hoot. She's going to be Evie," Cross said.

Branan is still working hard to live life to the fullest. She is starting the process of writing a book about her life from childhood until now.

She has already met with someone to help her write it and hopefully soon will meet with a publisher. The working title: "Evie Branan is still running against the wind." Although Branan said she will check with Seger first.

"I can't believe (this experience is) real. People come in off the streets to visit other people and they recognize me," Branan said. "I'm very excited."

Those interested in sitting in the audience during the Ask Dr. Nandi show on July 28 can sign up at askdrnandi.com.