Don't Wake Me Up...I've Just Had A Stroke!
Posted: Friday, January 28, 2011
by Bob Alexander
http://www.bluemarlinbob.com
My stroke was mild compared to some of the ones suffered by the patients at the special rehabilitation facility. I have resided here for the last six weeks immersed in a rehab program. A few days before Christmas last year I awoke to find my right leg wasn't operating correctly. Thinking I must have slept on it the wrong way, I went about my morning routine.
I noticed that my right eye wasn't working correctly, leaving me with blurred vision. I had difficulty keeping objects in focus, but chalked it off to still being asleep.
I had trouble walking, dragging my right foot when I started down the hallway to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, I noticed that the right side of my face was sagging unnaturally.
Another symptom I ignored was the numbness on the right side of the body. I'm fairly healthy and didn't think the feeling was all that bad. I then did something that I definitely should not have done. I thought that the unusual things would go away, so I didn't go to the hospital right away, but waited for a few hours.
At no time was I in pain. I didn’t have the blinding headache that many stroke patients endure. I may have had one in my sleep, but it didn't wake me, making me think that I had nothing to fear.
From there, the rest of the day went downhill. After deciding I could wait no longer, I went to the hospital where they ran a battery of tests, including an MRI that showed I had had a stroke during the night. Not really a lot of fun, a stroke has to do with a stoppage of blood to the brain. This interruption denies oxygen and nutrients to the brain.
The stroke occurred on the left side of the brain, affecting the right side of my body. There were several indications that something was not right. If I had not been asleep when they occurred, I would have called them symptoms.
Brain cells begin to die within minutes of being deprived of consistent blood flow. Since then I have discovered that there is a three hour window in which the blood clot can be dissolve by medicine, therefore limiting the damage.
Bob Alexander is well experienced in outdoor cooking, gardening, fishing and leisure living. Bob is also the author and owner of this article. Visit his sites at:
http://www.homeandgardenbob.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (8 total)Great article. Thank you for reminding us of the symptoms of a stroke or blood clot. It's very important that people get to the hospital as quickly as possible. My daughter experienced a blood clot when she was sixteen at swim practice. Her swimming career ended that day. I wish you the best in your recovery. All the best - BriannaThanks Brianna, Everyday is little better than the one before. I just don't seem to have my rapier wit back,
Bob, I've been reading your articles for a few years now and although we are strangers, I feel like I have gotten to know you a bit. I am so very sorry about your stroke. I pray that rehabilitation gets you back to your usual active life soon! I guess in the grand scheme of things, the end result could have been worse! Please take care! Fondly, LizThank you Liz. I too have read your articles and wondered did I know you. Walking down the hall in my walker and passing people who were much worse that I, I realized how blessed I was.
Hi Bob, no wonder we haven't seen you around for a period of time and you have our sympathy for this minor stroke thing. Just this morning I was thinking to myself where have some of you guys gone not writing any new articles lately and now the beans are being spilt....
Take good care and may have to stop meat for more fresh veggies instead...Thanks Hilda, for thinking of me. But for anyone who has ever had a stroke, it was not a minor one but of Biblical proportions. Just kidding. Compared to some, mine was small.
Hi Bob, I was sure sorry to hear of your stroke but mighty thankful that it was no worse than it was. I have known of some who were rendered helpless for life because of them. To my knowledge I have never had one, certainly not to the degree you have. Some folks tell me that these little waves of dizziness might sometimes be mini stroke. Those I have had, but with seemingly no lasting results. I sure hope you do well.Thanks for your concern Joel. I thank God mine only require six weeks therapy instead of a lifetime.
Hi Bob. Hoping and praying that you will recover fully. Thank you for sharing your experience and reminding us of the warning signs of a stroke. Well-written and very informative piece. God bless and good health. ~~Nenita
This was a great article Bob, I'm sorry to hear about your stroke, though.
It's understandable that you didn't phone the hospital immediately, no one expects to have a stroke, I'm glad you got there before it got any worse.
These are great things for all of us to know about strokes, because it can happen to anyone. Thanks for sharing,
-Sydney
Good luck, Bob. Thanks for the warning.
Take care of yourself Bob
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