I never thought much about my brain until it went haywire on me.
I’d ignored a few months of irksome forgetfulness–just approaching menopause, I thought; nothing serious. And, with perfect blood pressure, low cholesterol, regular exercise, and a healthy weight, I had no idea I could be at risk for stroke.
I was home alone the morning my stroke hit. The only symptom I noticed at first was a “floppy doll” hand.
“Strange, I thought,” my hand fell asleep in the shower.”
Of course, hands don’t really fall asleep in the shower—a symptom that my thinking was confused. Other than being unable to control my hand, I felt fine, except for a strange out-of-body sensation, almost like I was a hovering witness looking down on myself. There was this nagging thought that I should call for help, but I felt almost guilty at the thought of rousting someone to come over. After all, I wasn’t in any pain.
Gradually it dawned on me that I couldn’t remember where to find my husband, couldn’t think of a single friend’s name, didn’t know how to work the computer, and finally—when I decided to call emergency, anyway—I couldn’t remember the number: 911.
I did think to dial “O.” It was only when the operator answered and I tried to speak that I realized: the “words” coming from my mouth were just gibberish. The operator had to trace the call to send an ambulance.
When the paramedic told me I was having a stroke, I didn’t believe him. Of course I’m not having a stroke, I wanted to tell him. Strokes are for the elderly, for smokers, for overweight couch potatoes. I’m forty-eight years old, fit and perfectly healthy. Perfectly healthy people don’t just wake up feeling fine and then–out of the blue–have strokes.”
But sometimes they do. I did.
Save a brain, of even a life. Make sure you and your loved ones know the most common warning signs for stroke:
- SUDDEN numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg – especially on one side of the body.
- SUDDEN confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
- SUDDEN trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- SUDDEN trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
- SUDDEN severe headache with no known cause.
Stroke symptoms may be different in women. Symptoms typical in women also include:
- SUDDEN face and limb pain
- SUDDEN hiccups
- SUDDEN nausea
- SUDDEN general weakness
- SUDDEN chest pain
- SUDDEN shortness of breath
- SUDDEN palpitations
A stroke is an acute medical emergency. Know the warning signs —then Call 9-1-1
Has anyone in your experienced stroke? What were the symptoms?
My mom suffered her first stroke on 9/26/12 at the young age of 68. She suffered her second on 12/2/12. Our family has learned quickly that strokes can affect someone from completely out of nowhere. Thank you for your concise list. Her first stroke was a sudden general weakness that caused her to fall out of a chair. The second one affected her ability to speak, or lift an arm. We are now well versed in the National Stroke Associations FAST chart. I’m so glad that you are doing well on your thinners. Mom is now having to take it as well and we are learning a new life of eating. I look forward to reading your book.