January has been a rough month for me for the past 5 years. I don't know what it is but my body just goes haywire every time a new year begins. It may be the stress after the holiday or just that time of year but it always is gloomy. I am working on changing that this year and so far so good. It was a year ago January 18 that I had a stroke and ended up in the ICU for a week. I had a heart attack and surgery in 2010 so I really did not see this coming. For me I have bad jeans, literally. My parents both died at 54 and 56 so that genetic component has been a bear for me. On top of that my mom was adopted so understanding fully my family history comes with some challenges.
I have to say it was scarier than my heart attack. After my heart attack, I was in the ICU awaiting surgery but I felt fine. My troponin levels keep going up but I felt fine. The stroke was very different. I had had a few TIA's ( pay attention to warning signs) but ignored the obvious. When I had the stroke, I lost my ability to talk, my vision went crazy and I just felt out of control of my own outcome. I was so scared more for my family.
Throughout the year I received therapy. I admit I still have not been the best in my recovery and I still limp and my vision has taken a toll. I am so blessed to be ok. The good and the bad is through my heart disease, stroke, bruising, raynauds syndrome, multiple pregnancy losses, prematurity and eye disease, they think they found the cause which is vascular. Can this be fixed, no but managed yes.
The reason for this post is because I was stupid but thanks to a great friend, Juliana Mckee and my family, I survived BUT the important thing to remember is to act FAST if you think you are having a stroke and to realize that 911 can be your friend. Hey, I did get a new door out of it but I am forever blessed and grateful for true friends.
I am young, I didn't fit any mold for Cardiovascular Disease or stroke. No one is immune so please learn more at www.heart.org!
More info:
Stroke can and often does occur without warning, and its effects can be devastating: Stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of disability. For people experiencing the symptoms of stroke time is of the essence. The symptoms of stroke need to be recognized quickly and immediate action needs to be taken. Learn all about F.A.S.T., which is the acronym being promoted through the AHA/ASA's Together to End Stroke initiative as an easy way to remember the sudden signs of stroke. The F stands for face drooping, the A for arm weakness and the S for speech difficulty, all of which are major symptoms of stroke. The T stands for time, which emphasizes the severity of the situation and indicates the need to immediately call 911.
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