Stroke Awareness Month 2011
May 2, 2011 by Lillie
May is Stroke Awareness Month. Stroke, also known as brain attack, is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability. A stroke is a medical emergency that can happen to anyone. Immediate treatment is critical to survival, so learn the symptoms and maybe save a life.
I know a lot about stroke. I went through one myself, and my husband has had a mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack, TIA). I recognized the symptoms and called EMS immediately, and Jack recovered quickly. You can read more about my experiences and what I’ve learned about stroke in the following posts:
- May Is Stroke Awareness Month
- National Stroke Awareness Month: My Stroke – the Beginning
- National Stroke Awareness Month: My Stroke – The Next Three Days
- National Stroke Awareness Month: My Stroke – the Aftermath
- National Stroke Awareness Month: Stroke Risk Factors and Symptoms
I even wrote a novel, Stroke of Luck, with a fictional storyline based on my experiences.
Yet, I’ve learned a lot more in the video below, Brain Attack: A Stroke Survival Guide, with Al Roker. There are several blank sections where there were ads when it was on TV—but it’s worth waiting through the gaps to see the entire show.
I’ve always imagined that elderly persons have a higher risk of stroke. Due to our diet and the lack of exercise, even young people can suffer a stroke.
Before seeing this video, I really didn’t know how to recognize the symptoms of a brain attack. When it comes to your health, it’s better to know as much as possible.
Mia,
The cause of my stroke isn’t covered in the video, as it is rare. But it is a risk many people are subject to, and I encourage people to know about it. That’s why I wrote the series about my experience.
Yes I think brain attacks can be due to tension and depression. If we live a simple life and keep our selves contented then there are less chances of brain attacks. Thanks for the video and much needed information. Cheers
Barney,
If you read the risk factors for stroke itemized in an article linked from one of the articles above, you will see that neither tension nor depression is listed as a risk factor. Certainly neither of those are good for us; however, they have little, if anything, to do with stroke.
Thanks for posting the video. I just read a couple of your blog posts where you talk about your own stroke experience and its aftermath. You are very brave to have gone through all that and come out on top. Hope you are doing well and your health continues to improve.
Alex,
Although I do have some “residuals” as the doctors call them, such as being unbalanced—I mean I have poor balance
—I am doing amazingly well. Thank you for the good wishes.
Well, my grandfather suffered (and survived) 3 strokes, 2 major ones and one minor. He’s alive and well. Incredible right? Although that still doesn’t make me feel more secure when my time comes…
Alex,
I’m glad your grandfather survived and recovered from all his strokes. Every stroke, however, increases his risks, so it’s best not to have any.
Hi Lille
Just reading one of your posts where you make this quite momentous remark; “After the stroke, I realized that ‘someday’ is today”.
It took me many years to discover this, and I think you could well write more emphatically on just this point.
It is tragic when we discover we didn’t do something, and it is now TOO LATE because that person is no longer there!
Rhys,
Thanks for the suggestion. I will add that topic to be list of things to write about. It is so important!
Would you say a bit more about your husband’s TIA? [Above] My wife Mary is expected home today after an attack 13 days ago. Her speech is still slurred, and her LH motor functions only about 75%, but the tests disclosed nothing.
We have had masses of people praying for her and her recovery seems miraculously fast to us. Yesterday she was able to get herself out of her day chair and into the bathroom unsupervised. Hallelujah!
Rhys,
Praise God that Mary is recovering! It sounds more like a stroke than a TIA to me–in my purely nonmedical opinion–because it seems that 13 days is a long time for a TIA. In Jack’s case, he got dizzy, then he started slurring his speech. I had him try to raise each arm and leg, and he couldn’t raise his right extremities. I thought he was having a stroke and called EMS immediately, though he protested. By the time EMS got here, he couldn’t move. He was sitting in a chair in my tiny office, and there was no room for a gurney. So the EMS techs lifted him into my rolling office chair and rolled him to the door then transferred him to the gurney. They told me they agreed it was a stroke. However, by the time the ambulance reached the hospital, he could move, though his speech was still slurred, his vision was distorted, and he was somewhat confused. He stayed in the hospital only overnight and by the time he was discharged the next day, most of his symptoms were gone or significantly improved. The difference between a TIA and a stroke is really a matter of degree. The National Stroke Association says the symptoms of a TIA go away within 24 hours without permanent brain damage. If it last longer and/or causes permanent damage, it is considered a stroke. Whatever Mary had, I’m glad she’s doing well and coming home. I’m praying for full recovery soon.
Thanks for all that Lille – I understand it a lot more now – you are a Gem!
You’re welcome, Rhys. Keep me posted on Mary’s progress. I’m praying for a full recovery very soon.
Hi Lillie -
We have got Mary home now and almost fully functional. She came shopping with me this afternoon – Praise the Lord.
This is a complete chapter of answered prayer. She has a little way to go yet, but we can’t believe that only 14 days ago she had all the symptoms of a full-blown stroke.
Blessings to you – Rhys
Rhys,
Thank you for the update. Hallelujah! I’m so glad Mary is doing so well.
Hi Lille -
Once again thanks for your supportive attitude and comments and for your prayers. Mary is now almost fully recovered, even managed to join in with singing this week. Her speech is almost normal again. It is good to pray for a TOTAL recovery!
G & P – Rhys
Rhys,
Praise God! I’m so glad to hear this great news. Thanks for letting me know.
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My grandma has been one of the victims of this disease. She had the hemorrhagic tyoe so her life didn’t long to get to the nearest hospital. Her death was sudden for all of us. I just wished I was with her to listen to her headache complains. She should have had survived the attack.
Sherry,
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your grandmother. May God give you and your family peace.
My father died with this terrible disease when I was nine years old. He lost his life while in ambulance on the way to hospital. I could never forget it. It very sad reality.
Jerry,
I’m so sorry about your father. It’s hard to lose a parent at such a young age.
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