If I am not around for a while it is because my partner of 37 years has had a stroke. Happened last night. Am with family. We got him to the Hospital right away by ambulance and clot busters were given right away. Was in the MCA at M-1 branch. Knocked out his left side, so was a right sided stroke. Slurred speech and no swallow. Clot large and visible on scan. They were taking him for a procedure in cath lab to remove the clot when the busters disintegrated it and everything came back, speech and movement. Just a tiny vision blank in outer left eye. He will be touch and go to hope he doesn't bleed with the clot busters, and they can be tough on kidneys. At 84 he's no kid so he's in neuro-intensive. I will update here as this goes along.This is, of course, what all we elders lie in bed fearing will happen to one of the other of us. And it did. My DIL says "See, you TOLD us so....".
AS TO STROKES please listen to me now:No waiting around. It is 911 immediately to the ER. Addressing it with clot busters can leave you good as new and ignoring it can leave you in the nursing home. Your best change at quality life is to get to the ER as fast as you can. Never ignore symptoms of a stoke.
beth
😊
And thanks for the timely reminder about getting help immediately for a possible stroke.
You are so right. So important to call 911. Even if it's a false alarm
you'll have done the right thing.
Case in point. My DH's dad. He had a stroke. Did not go to the E.R.
Ended up paralyzed on his left side. Apparently crawled to bed
the night it happened. Woke up next day and the rest is history.
He was a doctor. What was he thinking?
You are in my thoughts.
Hoping he has a good recovery and you are back home. As everyone has said, take care of yourself, too. (((hugs)))
Just read your post and wanted to send my best wishes to both of you. Your husband is one very fortunate man to have you for a partner! Sending healing thoughts your way!
I'm sending you and your partner every good thought, vibe, and prayer, my friend.
I have no doubt you will keep his care team on their toes. Keep us updated.
All of (us) medical folk (doctors, nurses, PT, et al) kind of talk to folks as though they are idiots. We understand that the patient/family won't understand "a thrombus in the M-1 of the MCA" so we slow way down, speak loud, and try to explain as though the recipient is a 2 year old.
I so see myself in them. I mean this "kindly" as we have been treated ROYALLY. But I understand I have this carry over where I may tend to speak to people as though they are 2 years old and hard of hearing as well.
In the days of the internet people "know so much more" once they get a identifier for the search bar, and start plonking away on the keyboard. It has to be disconcerting to so many and it can feel like condescension, and I think it's not too often meant as such-- or isn't meant as such perhaps 75% of the time.
It is kind of fascinating to see/hear/watch play out. That's after you stop being scared to death and get your heart to stop slamming against the wall of your chest.
Thanks again, all of you, for all your kind words.
I glanced at questions this a.m. and you are all holding the fort in your usual stellar manner.
I had some friends around the block, wife was working, he called me from the mall, asked me for a ride home, because his car got stolen. Then he called back, said never mind, the cops found his car , in a different parking lot. I was so confused when he got home, I met him at his home. He didn't look or act right. I asked him if he would take his BP, I don't remember what it was, exactly, but I do remember calling 911,right after I saw the numbers. They did take him , he couldn't even stand by the time they got there, he came home that night, but the friendship was never the same, I don't think he was happy I did that. I didn't care, now I know I did the right thing.
So glad Neil got the right care, and thank you for sharing your story. It will save lives.
😂🤣😃😊😊😊
XXOOXOXOOO
Home from hospital and feeling a bit shocky that fewer than 24 hours ago I looked at this man down for the count and thought "This is where I lose Neil. And where a whole other way of life begins that I cannot begin to imagine". And now he's sitting up in bed and short of a badly infiltrated IV site left arm everything is working well and he's being his usual political junky self watching the TV and missing his little Foster dog (which neither he nor she seem to understand IS A FOSTER!). I believe Frieda came to get me when he was down. Perhaps we SHOULD keep her?
He will be on a real medication now for the atrial fib. No more of that baby aspirin nonsense like I take for MY Atrial Fib for two decades.
I cannot believe this care he got so quickly, and at General, which if anyone know SF is the hospital that cares for all our homeless and indigent population. AMAZING care, and so quickly.
CT scan, the "24 hour post stroke followup" goes up at 6 p.m. tonight. All goes well with that he gets transferred to our Kaiser or down to regular room out of intensive care. Kidneys still working on filtration of clot buster; they are tough on the body. Actually, with the size of the clot this one exploded they perhaps have TNT in them.
Thanks for pulling for us and for caring. I will let you know if anything changes.
Remember what I said: FIRST SIGN OF A STROKE IT IS IMMEDIATE 911. No ER visit; they won't triage you into a cubicle fast enough. CALL 911. BE the one everyone looks out the window and says "Ambulance here for the neighbor, dear" about! It's a kind of fame. Truly, getting into care at a stroke center quickly enough can be the difference between returning to life as you know it, and permanent debility or death. DO NOT DELAY. Think of me and do NOT delay.
Thanks for letting us know what happened to your good man. He is blessed to have you in his corner.
I will pray right now for all to be well.
You gave some good advice. Maybe you will save someone else by sharing this experience.
Do keep us posted, as you can.