NervesforCurves

This week marks the anniversary of when I suffered a stroke and each year, I always like to remind my friends and family to be knowledgeable about the symptoms. It can happen to anyone, and time is of the essence.

Every year, as Halloween approaches, my thoughts seem to go back to this traumatic experience; the terrified feelings of initially not understanding what was happening, and a nurse that made the experience even worse. I was admitted to the hospital the previous day due to symptoms of my chronic illness, and during the middle of the night, it all began. It started with severe sharp pain in my head, followed by black vomiting, and not being able to breathe. I thought I was going to die. When I caught my breath, I kept telling the nurse that something was really wrong, but she assured me that I just had a migraine. I knew she was wrong. As I sat in my room helpless, I tried to get some rest, and soon realized additional effects of the stroke had set in. I had trouble responding to questions and couldn’t remember important facts about my life, I was unable to walk without leaning against the wall, and I had lost my vision. The morning came and I was taken down for a CT which confirmed the stroke. I was then moved to the ICU and began the healing process.

I am very grateful that even though my nurse didn't realize I was having a stroke, I was able to almost fully recover from the symptoms without any initial stroke treatment. I have a few long-term effects but most people would never notice unless I told them.

In the last several years, I’ve had a few friends that have gone through a similar experience. They were all young and healthy. This is why it’s so important to learn the signs and symptoms of a stroke and understand it can happen to anyone! Since getting medical treatment quickly (usually within 3 hours) can make a huge difference, knowing these signs are so important. I didn’t know them prior to my stroke, but glad I do now.

F.A.C.T.
-Face drooping
-Arm numbness
-Speech difficulty
-Time to act!

Fall flavors! Butternut squash risotto with dried cranberries.