Recognizing Signs Of Stroke Can Help Save Valuable Time

I'm sure I will keep writing year of the Rabbit on my checks for a month or so...

The following is from the National STroke Association website:

"If you think someone may be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T. and do this simple test:

F—FACE: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A—ARMS: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S—SPEECH: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

T—TIME: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.

NOTE THE TIME WHEN ANY SYMPTOMS FIRST APPEAR. If given within three hours of the first symptom, there is an FDA-approved clot-buster medication that may reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke. "

OFF TOPIC JOKE:
a woman from Chicago attended a party in new York in which the hostess was determined to make her feel cheap and unimportant.
"my dear,"said the matron snobbishly, "here in the east we think breeding is everything."
"Oh, I don't know," said the Chicago woman, "Where I come from, we think it is fun too, but we try to have a few outside interests as well."

L#1: I really don't understand this persistence in our society for claiming guilt where you've done nothing wrong. So you haven't had medical training, your grandmother never had a stroke before, and you don't recognize the symptoms. Neither your grandmother nor your sister recognized them either. You suggested she get to a medical facility, and she sid she'd be fine.

So why are you tormenting yourself about something over which you had no control? Guilt, like worry, in this case is wasted. No amount of self flagellation is going to change things, and you took the lesson to heart. That's more than many people would have done. And I guarantee your g-mas's spirit ain't blaming you -- and never did. Give yourself a bleeping break and enjoy life while ya got it.

If only we had known the signs of a stroke when my dad was struck with one. He had the first "small" stroke early in the morning, went home to rest and take migraine meds. Then that evening when in bed he had a massive stroke that caused irreparable damage. Although he survived, he lost his career, his short term memory, his personality, the entire left side of his body is permanently damages, he cannot drive, he cannot work at all and he gets frustrated and confused at the drop of a hat. He was only 49 years old. If you even suspect a stroke, go to hospital immediately. Better to be wrong than dead.

I work at a Medical Day program for people that have various health problems such as strokes, heart attacks, seizures, etc. that come for the day to get therapy. I read the top letter to them this afternoon. Most were quiet, some agreed that going to the doctor immediately helped immensely. One man in particular that is 48 years old, in a wheelchair and uses a Dynavox to communicate said "Sometimes theres nothing you can do". He went to the doctor right away after his stroke, and it didn't help. All I could tell him was that you just don't know, if he hadn't gone, it could have been much worse.

LW #1, Warning people about the dangers of strokes is very good. You do well do write and speak out about your experience as it brings good out of tragedy. It is time for you to lay aside the guilt you feel. We all do things we wish we had done differently. Should have dones are only useful if they help you change what you will do in the future in a similar situation. If they drag you down, they are no good. See your religious counselor if you need help in getting over the guilt.

LW2 - Just have fun with it. When they ask if you’re disappointed just say, “Heck no. She’s carrying on a long family tradition”, or look at them and say, “Well bless your heart. Disappointed? Disappointed in what, dear?”, or “Yes we are. She turned out to be quite a tramp. Speaking of tramps how is your family?”. Got a million of ‘em.

Chuc Mung Nam Moi! (Happy New Year!) =D I hope everyone is having a nice day!

Does anyone else see "today on yahoo" with a caption "what guys really want in a girlfriend" and the picture shows 2 guys with beer?

L#1: Seven years of guilt is more than enough. You didn't know. Now you do.

LW#1 - I always remember FAST. (Funny what you can actually learn from watching House, besides new and exciting ways to use sarcasm.)
F - Face - smile, grimace, move tongue side to side. Do both sides of the face move?
A - Arms - lift both arms evenly. Do they move the same? Is one weaker than the other?
S - Speech. Can the person talk clearly? Communicate well?
T - Time - as in "you don't have much".

Interesting to note that on the day Abby chooses to print a letter on CVAs, Senator Kirby from Illinois goes down with one. Hope he recovers.

Quite a few years ago, I found out that my dad got my mom pregnant and they (back then) had to get married.(1952) Upon the time of my granddad funeral, I found out that my granddad got my grandma pregnant and they had to get married.(1925) I have since found out that my aunt(who thinks she is better than anyone else in the universe) HAD to get married. AND, her daughter HAD to get married!(1978) "Miss Perfect Aunt" always looked down her nose at my dad and his kids acting like she was better than all of us. None of us girls (dads) HAD to get married........imagine that!

#2 An 82 year old man went to the doctor for a checkup. After examining him thoroughly, the doctor said, "You're in great shape. You might live forever.Tell me, how old was your father when he died?"
"Did I say he was dead?"
"Well, how old was your grandfather when he died?"
'Did I say he was dead?"
You mean to say, you're 82 and both your grandfather and father are alive?
"Not only that, but my grandfather is 126 years old and last week he got married for the first time. And it was to his 20 year old girlfriend."
"After 126 years of being a bachelor, why on earth did your grandfather want to get married? "
"Did I say he wanted to?"

To LW#1: I understand your feelings. I lost my father to a stroke. My mom got him help very quickly,but it didn't matter. He was on medications that prevented him from being able to get the medication that stops strokes. It would have caused him to bleed out. Please don't blame yourself for what happened. It's hard enough to lose someone you care about. I found it hard cause I live in California and he lived in Florida. We were in the middle of home repairs from a fire and couldn't get out in time to see him. It is very easy to feel undying guilt over things that are out of our control.

LW3 - I was born in the Year of the Horse: Exciting and extroverted, vivid and animated, the Horse is the life of any party he attends. He is bursting with energy, always looking for the next place to kick up his heels and hang loose. He entertains friends and strangers alike with his humor and appeal. He is well hung and passes gas frequently.

What's your sign?

LW1: very timely letter, as 14 years next week I lost my mom to a stroke. She was only 48 years old.
RIP Nora A. Davis October 21, 1949-January 28, 1998
Love you and miss you mom!

The beautiful, smart, and talented 20 year old is a hard worker. She may have a job and boyfriend, but soon she'll be a single, minimally educated (she's working, not in college) mom. Most adults know her life is about to change, no matter how beautiful, smart, and talented she is. Good thing she's a hard worker. No, it's not impossible and she can be a great mom without an education or husband, but either could contribute to a more stable financial environment for her and her baby. Both my daughters are single parents, and I am very proud of the parents they are and their children, but I would have liked to see them have life a little easier. A husband doesn't guarantee that, but there is some level of commitment. It breaks my heart to see them HAVE to get up and go to work to make ends meet.

I'm headed to a Chinese restaurant for a bowl of Dragon egg soup.