Stroke -- did not see that coming!

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   Mighty Momposted 11 years ago

   Hi Hubber Friends,
   I've been offline for  a couple of weeks.
   Suffered a basal ganglia hemorrahage(aka STROKE) on January 8th!
   
   Luckily Hubby was here and recognized the symptoms right away. i knew something was amiss. Trying to brush my hair and the brush would not touch the hair. My left hand (and I am left-handed) was curled and the fingers would not uncurl. I was also drooling coffee out of the left side of my mouth.
   And apparently slurring my words!
   
   I'm incredibly grateful that it was not more profound.
   i'm almost back to full functionality already and they expect full recovery.
   But I will tell you, I took for granted my computing abilities.
   Typing is difficult as my fingers want to hit the wrong keys still.And getting the damned cursor to go where I want -- so frustrating!
   
   Just wish they could tell me the cause. Then i would adjust my lifestyle. But I had none of the risk factors -- except possibly family history. Being adopted, that is a giant ? for me.
   
   My neighbor across the street, a male, had the exact same stroke. Crazy, isn't it?
   
   Please educate yourself on the signs and symptoms. Acting quickly could save someone's life!
   
   http://www.stroke.org/site/PageServer?p … orrelation
   
   Happy to be here to share my experience!
   MM

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      Pamela Kinnaird Wposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I, too, am sorry to learn you had a stroke and happy to know you are here to tell the story.  My mom had something like that happen three years ago.  Mom and Dad were driving along in the car and suddenly my mom slumped sideways but for some reason she didn't think anything was wrong.  Like your husband, my dad knew right away and against her wishes, he turned the car around and raced to the hospital which was only six blocks away -- whereas where they live is 60 minutes from the hospital. 
      
      I hope you have a full return to energy and health.

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      princesswithapenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Joining the entire HP community in withing you a quick, happy and healthy recovery MM.
      
      Princesswithapen

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      Mark Knowlesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Get back to full health soon!

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      Marcy Goodfleischposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      MM - you are far too young to have a stroke (I'm putting you in the same age bracket as your WW avatar, which I covet, btw).  I know at least two women, good friends of mine, who had strokes at around age 40. Both are okay now, but it scared all of us.  They believe birth control pills contributed to the problems. 
      
      Take care of yourself!!  Sending hugs and prayers -

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      Sarra Garrettposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Mightymom.  I'm so glad you are in recovery and am so sorry to hear the news.  Another sign is if you can't raise your arms over your head.  I am so glad you are back.  Don't get too frustrated you can recover!

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      jantamayaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Knowing how concerned and loving our HubPages friends are you should feel much better already! See, wouldn't have happened ... You would never know how much we care... :-)
      I'm sure that you'll regain strength and fitness within a few days.
      Congrats for the speedy recovery.
      Sending some get-well thoughts I'm looking forward to your next hubs. Don't give up and type! This is a good exercise.
      Take care.

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      Quilligrapherposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Welcome back, MM. We missed you. I missed you! I too hope everything returns to "normal" real soon. Getting back online after just two weeks is encouraging. Stick with the physical therapy sessions suggested for as long as you can because they are the best and only ways to achieve a maximum recovery.  Good luck to you and keep on posting. We will give you a pass, well let's say lots of passes, on shpellink errors.
      

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      Jenn-Anneposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      So glad to hear you are well on the road to full recovery!  And thank you so much for sharing this!  I had a good friend who had a stroke last year at the age of 49. She has a family history, high blood pressure and had suffered a "mini-stroke" previously, and yet neither her employer nor her family recognized the signs so it was many hours before she went to the hospital. Fast treatment is critical to minimizing the damage. I'm happy to say my friend is doing much better now, but the road to recovery has not been easy and ten months later she still has a way to go. Best wishes to you!

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   Brenda Durhamposted 11 years ago

   I'm so sorry to hear you had a stroke!
   Hope for a full recovery for you.

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   snakeslaneposted 11 years ago

   MM- How frightening, glad to hear you are on the mend. Thanks for sharing your close call. Thankfully hubby was there to help!

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   SmartAndFunposted 11 years ago

   Oh wow! I'm so sorry to hear of this but glad you are doing well! Great to see you back at the keyboard and at HP!

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   Hmrjmr1posted 11 years ago

   I join the chorus of well wishers, glad you are doing OK may take some time for full functionality to return but sounds like you are well on the way. God Bless

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   SomewayOuttaHereposted 11 years ago

   wow again....so good to know you are online and typing away...and good to know a full recovery is expected!....peace and good wishes your way!
   
   I regularly donate to heart and stroke because of my father....years ago people didn't recover very well from strokes....the medical knowledge and response is so much better now!
   
   i'm glad you shared MM!

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   rebekahELLEposted 11 years ago

   I was just thinking about YOU. I was sitting watching the Inaugural Ball and you came to my mind, and I wondered if something had happened!  WOW, how scary for you.  I'm happy to hear you are getting better.  It's great that your husband was there and recognized the symptoms.  I hope all goes well for you, with a full recovery.  We missed you!

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   Shadesbreathposted 11 years ago

   Holy crap! I'm so glad you are okay. Wow, scary. Our stupid bodies are so... squishy. Take care of yourself. Eat a carrot or something.

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   DzyMsLizzyposted 11 years ago

   So sorry that happened to you, but glad help was at hand.  I wish you a full and speedy recovery.  It is a concern as we age....I worry about that myself....
   Thank you for sharing the important information.

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    Stina Caxeposted 11 years ago

    I'm very sorry you had to go through that.  I hope you get well soon.  It's so scary the things that can happen to our bodies with no warning what-so-ever.  Take care of yourself and thank you for posting the important information.

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    mistyhorizon2003posted 11 years ago

    Very scary, so glad you had hubby nearby to help you and that you are on the mend. My Sister (now 48) had a stroke when she was just 28, and the doctors said they would probably never know what caused it. Apparently something as simple as being put on the wrong kind of contraceptive pill or even just going through a really stressful period in your life years earlier can trigger a stroke many years later. It can be virtually impossible to know why you had it and if you could have avoided it.
    
    Hope you make a fully recovery. Sister is mostly okay now, but still struggles with memory issues and specific hand movements, plus having a limp on her right leg when she gets tired. Hopefully your was minor in comparison judging by your description of your progress so far.
    
    Thinking of you and wishing you well

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    wildernessposted 11 years ago

    Sorry to hear that, MM.  It's scary - I know from a heart attack a few years ago. 
    
    Hope you get well soon, and along those lines - might a mouse help rather than the touch pad?  larger movements at all?

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    Stevennix2001posted 11 years ago

    Omg, that's horrible.  Well I'm glad to hear your recovering well, and I'm sorry to hear this happened to you. I wish I had noticed this forum sooner to comment, but I do wish you well though.

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    2uesdayposted 11 years ago

    I hope you have a speedy recovery and get good and reassuring advice from your medical team.  Your husband did a good job of getting you the help you needed as it can be difficult to identify the signs.

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    Kangaroo_Jaseposted 11 years ago

    I know it is a powerful way to lose most of your health in one single event.
    
    Mind you it had taken 3 strokes to finally lay low my father permanently.
    
    Get well soon and here's to a speedy recovery.

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    Motown2Chitownposted 11 years ago

    Hey, lady....don't scare people that way!  Although, it's a MUCH better post than one from your hubby saying things had turned out differently.  Speedy healing and improved health moving forward are my wishes for you!
    
    Need I say that we love you so?  Yes, I think it needs to be said. 
    
    We love you so - and welcome back!
    
    

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    Uninvited Writerposted 11 years ago

    That is scary, take care.

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    donotfearposted 11 years ago

    Yikes!
    That came out of nowhere.  What a scary thing to endure.  Sending you some positive encouragement.

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    habeeposted 11 years ago

    Oh, MM - so sorry to hear this. You must have been scared to death! Glad you're doing better. I wondered where you were. Take care of yourself! Sending cyber hugs, prayers, and good thoughts.

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    KCC Big Countryposted 11 years ago

    Wow, so sorry to hear that MM!   Glad you're ok and on the mend!  Take care!

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    The Quiz Masterposted 11 years ago

    Scarey!
    
    Glad to hear you are on the mend, take it easy and try not to stare at computer screens too much.
    
    I have turned the brightness on monitor right down because I was getting headaches and a sharp pain in my left eye, I put it down to bright TV screens.
    
    I hope you make a full recovery, I like your hubs!
    
    Take care.

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    Rosie2010posted 11 years ago

    I just came across this post.  Omg, that was definitely a very scary experience.  I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better. Thanks for sharing your experience, MM.  Take care.

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    Hollie Thomasposted 11 years ago

    I'm really sorry to hear your news MM, but so pleased to hear that you're on the mend and by all accounts determined to make a full recovery. Remember though, not too much too soon, and take it easy every now and then.

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24. 78

    Mighty Momposted 11 years ago

    Heartfelt THANKS to ALL who posted here.
    It's been isolating. I guess that is the point. The universe wants me to calm down, slow down and live more simply.
    Thank GOD this didn't happen before Election Day! But who knows how much all that frantic "debating' could have contributed. Tee hee.
    Who knows. Maybe my body has been in fight or flight mode for so long it spazzed out when the family crises stopped.
    
    Anyway, very grateful to be back here. Equally grateful not to see any wise acre comments from the 'other side' to the effect 'Based on your politics, we assumed you'd had one years ago."
    

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    Mighty Momposted 11 years ago

    The Stroke Team said they've seen a lot of 40something patients.
    And mentioned that I had the "young people's" not the "old people's" kind of stroke.
    If that's supposed to make me feel better, it didn't.
    As so many of us know from personal and loved ones' experience: disease does not discriminate on the basis of age.
    

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       Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       I'm a forty something too, MM. But it's great to see that that wicked sense of humour of yours is still very much evident.

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          Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          EDIT: I was referring to your last post about the 'other side'.

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    Stacie Lposted 11 years ago

    It s a scary process to go through. My dad had a series of strokes before passing. I hope you take care. A clot can develop without much warning sometimes..

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    Mighty Momposted 11 years ago

    Sure wish I could at least serve as an anti-example here.
    Don't do what iI did -- whatever it was!
    
    Seriously. Grateful to be able to share this experience. Compared to what other hubbers have endured, this ain't nothing.
    Today is the most important day any of us will ever have.
    Do something to make someone's day brighter.
    You've all just done that for me!
    Thank you!!
    MM

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       Patty Inglish, MSposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Best wishes for your ongoing recovery! I've not heard of "young people's stroke" but will look it up iun the medical library. Anyway, you have alerted us to be aware and on the lookout for stroke symptoms, which is so important to remember.
       
       Stroke Teams are saving many lives these days. A lady I know who is a doctor was having a stroke 6 years ago, called 911, and her own doctor did not believe her at the ER. The docs could have administered meds to break up a clot, but did not. My friend had a full stroke and has fully recovered, but is still angry and scared about the medical system in her St. Louis hospital.
       
       Best health to you now for many decades!
       
       Patty

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       wildernessposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       You're back!  (saw a post in another thread and had to run check this one out).  Good to see - I presume that healing and recovering is proceeding well?

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    e-fiveposted 11 years ago

    Glad you were able to get medical attention in time.  I was wondering where you had been hiding!  Get well soon.

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    Shadesbreathposted 11 years ago

    I'm still saying that carrot thing I mentioned is probably a good idea.
    
    Oh, and beer. Booze thins your blood so it can't coagulate and stuff. I'm not a doctor, but I'm pretty sure I might be on to something there. Maybe anyway. Just saying.  The carrot thing is solid for sure, though.

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       Silva Hayesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Because of your comment, I went to Google and read a wealth of information about carrots and I'm going to go eat a raw carrot right now!  and keep eating them often.  I had no idea they were such a powerhouse of a vegetable.  Thanks!

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    mperrottetposted 11 years ago

    How frightening for you - so glad that you are O.K.  My daughter-in-law suffered a mild stroke at 43 from a combination of heredity and taking birth control pills.  She had a full recovery, as I am hoping you will have.  Sending you lots of good thought for a speedy recovery.

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    Mighty Momposted 11 years ago

    Carrots rock.In carrot cake, absolutely divine food.
    Booze -- my personal feeling on that is pickling your insides is one of the smartest health moves anyone can make. It's tricky though. You have to use just the right amount and not too much.
    Or unforseen and nasty consequences can occur.
    That is one of the questions I remembering them asking me in the ER. Along with smoking, heroin, cocaine and crack.
    
    Heard a lot of that drug that needs to be administered ASAP. My type of stroke would not benefit from that. They did not give me any blood thinning drugs. Also said nothing in my bloodwork suggests any need for blood drugs.
    
    But main message here is TIME. Do the FAST or STR symptoms test. Call 911. Better safe than sorry.

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    Marcy Goodfleischposted 11 years ago

    MM - did they tell you what the difference was in an Old People's Stroke vs a Young Person's Stroke?  Does it behave differently?  Symptoms?  Hmmmm - I agree; not sure that would make me feel any better, either.

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    Mighty Momposted 11 years ago

    Yes. The other type of stroke 'ischemic" is more common (87%) and caused by a clot breaking free.. My type is relatively rare (13%) and could be an inherited weakeness in the arteries in my brain.
    
    The old people type -- typical risk factors are chronic untreated high blood pressure. High cholesterol.
    Diabetes, etc. Obesity. Lack of exercise.
    
    Also smoking (esp. combined with birth control pills) alcohol abuse, drug abuse. No cocaine or heroin in my background. Although drug abuse is leading cause of stroke in young people.
    
    MM

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    John Holdenposted 11 years ago

    MM, only just picked up on this thread!
    Sorry to hear of your problems, I had an ischemic two years ago and thought for about a week that I was a vegetable, but now sometimes forget that I had a stroke.
    You can too. I think the key is not adopting an invalid mentality and carrying on as much as normal.
    
    Anyway, best of luck and glad you are ok.

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    CASE1WORKERposted 11 years ago

    So sorry to hear this; at least you now have a chance to get better. I hope that you take it easy and follow doctors advice - take care of yourself and have a lot of rest time
    A boy in my sons class had a stroke in September and he was only 15- now back at school

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    ABWrightposted 11 years ago

    Very sorry to hear of your injury, but want to share my story with you to hopefully be a voice of encouragement!  In Nov,2011at38 years old, I suffered a hemmhoragic stroke.  I had emergency brain surgery to relieve the blood and spent a month in ICU then a month in neuro ward, followed by two months in rehab hospital.  Mine was classified " cryptogenic" AKA no known cause, although over the last year the theories that have developed centre around my aura migraines and birth control. 
    I left the wheelchair behind almost a year ago and only have a few physical challenges, not the least of which is I have become horribly out of shape and gained quite a bit of weight!   One of my biggest issues is with fine motor skills of my left hand.  After testing, significantly weaker than my right, not as much dexterity and I cannot write properly ( am left handed).  Working to find some specialized treatment to regain this, although with technology this is not such a big deal.  One recommendation I would have for anyone recovering from TBI/ABI is to seek specialized care where possible.  For example, I work with a neuro-physio, and credit this to my near miraculous physical recovery.  I am happy to report I am returning to work next month and I show no cognitive deficits following neuro psyche testing.  I am a SVP at a large investment company, so this was a big deal!   So, back to work next month and my 40th birthday! ( which I truly didn't expect to see for a while at the beginning of all of this!).  Keep up the positive attitude too, many involved in my care have attributed my great recovery to my being a Super A personality-LOL!  No victim mentality allowed!   I wish you a speedy and complete recovery and continued good health.

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