World Stroke Day

World Stroke Day, Oct 29, 2017

As I approach the one year anniversary of my stroke I want to help spread the word that  a stroke can happen to anyone, at any age and you don’t have to have the obvious risk factors – I didn’t.

World Stroke Day is October 29, 2017. Learn about stroke and the warning signs and symptoms here.

What is a stroke? A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is cut off. This causes brain cells to be deprived of oxygen and to die.

How a person is affected by the stroke depends on where the stroke occurs in the brain and how much the brain is damaged.  For example a small stroke may cause temporary weakness of an arm or leg while a larger stroke can leave you paralyzed or unable to speak.

I am one of the fortunate ones who has recovered completely. My recovery is thanks to where in my brain it happened and the fact that I was pretty healthy over all. I did not have high blood pressure or cholesterol I exercised daily and maintained a fairly healthy diet.

The doctors did determine that I have a PFO – Patent Foramen Ovale – or in simpler terms a hole in my heart. This seems to be the explanation for my stroke. I did not and do not have any of the risk factors usually associated with stroke and stroke risk.

A Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) is a flap-like opening between the two upper of the heart (the right and left atria). All people are born with this flap-like hole, but for most, the hole closes by itself after birth. However, for roughly 1 out of every 5 people, this hole does not seal itself, resulting in a PFO. In fact, many people have a PFO and do not know it because there are no signs or symptoms. –  Texas Heart Institute

Learn the warning signs and symptoms of a stroke:

Face  – drooping on one side or numbness
Arm weakness – is one arm weak or numb
Speech – is speech slurred
Time – time to call 911 if any of these symptoms exist,  or if you are unsure? Call 911 any

 

way! Time is critical! Get help immediately

Know the F.A.S.T. symptoms but also note these other warning signs and symptoms:

• Sudden NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech
• Sudden TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eye
• Sudden TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
• Sudden SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause

If someone shows ANY of these symptoms, immediately call 9-1-1 or emergency medical services.

I was extremely fortunate to not have any physical deficiencies  after my stroke. The doctors attributed some of that to my physical condition when I had my stroke. I was in pretty good shape and followed a fairly healthy diet. Today, I still exercise 5 to 6 times per week and maintain a healthy diet.

For more detailed information on stroke and stroke prevention:

National Stroke Association

American Heart Association

World Stroke Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we go!

OK, so the one post a day for 30 days didn’t work out for me. I think the stress that I had going on over my health about a month ago was preoccupying my entire life. That’s behind me – I don’t have official results from the TEE but the preliminary results were “best case scenario” this is according to the head of cardiology that did the TEE.

On to better things! I did go on a grand adventure shortly after the procedure.  I left the sweltering end of summer heat in Boise and headed to the more desert-y heat of Moab, UT. I had never been to this part of the country and wow! what an amazing landscape. Words really cannot do it justice. I stayed at a lovely bed and breakfast for two nights and had a very notable dinner at 98 Center that first evening.

Dead Horse State Park did not disappoint. The only downside was the hazy/smokey skies but the vast beauty of the area is incredible. I did zip into Arches National Park but alas I was a tad late in the morning for my taste. The crowds were too much for me so I bailed and went on a quite hike outside of the park. A short hike (Grandstaff Canyon) along a creek in located off of the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (US 128) just outside of Moab.

I left Moab behind after two short days to join a friend from my Colorado Springs days at her condo in Crested Butte. The drive over was interesting. I put my trust into my rental car’s navigation.  It DID get me to my destination but I was a bit worried when I came across this sign:

I continued up and over Kebler Pass, through Colorado’s largest Aspen grove (amazing), and ended up in downtown Crested Butte! We had a most excellent time hiking and catching up with our lives and Crested Butte is a most charming and beautiful mountain town.

From there I went to Greeley, CO then Evergreen to visit Mr. Fantastic’s family. It was an enjoyable time and a long over due visit!

A side note, I have traveled from point A to point B by myself but I’ve never  stayed and visited things on my own. While going out on my own was the point of this particular adventure I did learn some things about myself. I CAN travel on my own and have a good time doing it and I don’t need an entourage with  me to enjoy it. However, I did miss having someone to joke around with and talk with especially at dinner time.

Here are just a few of the photo highlights: