(I had originally written this on March 1st, 3 weeks after Mom's stroke.)
If there's anything to it, Mom's Irish blood has been living up to what is often called the Luck of the Irish. On Feb 7, at 9:10 AM, I heard two big, loud thunks coming from her room. I called out asking if she was okay- no answer. I ran into her room, where I found her face down on the floor, unable to speak and not moving. Her nose was beginning to bleed. She had landed on her face. I suspected a stroke and yelled for Mike to call 911. In what seemed like a pretty short time- 10 minutes or so- an ambulance was here. The nearest hospital is 10 minutes drive from here. We don't have a lot around here, but we do have a decent hospital. They asked me a few questions before they took her down there, then a few more when we got to the emergency room. Mostly focusing on when I thought she had had the stroke- there is a 3 hour window with the tPA treatment. I could tell she had already been up and gone out for her paper and had her cereal.
The ambulance left first, we followed shortly after. By the time we got there, she was already in getting a (non-contrast) CT scan. Very shortly, she was in the ER and awaiting the results. She was still on a stretcher, with neck brace, too. Her nose was cut and swollen from the fall. I told her they were taking the very best care of her and not to worry. We mothers worry a lot. Often more than necessary.
The ER doc came in and told us the CT scan showed no hemorrhaging, which indicated an ischemic (dry) stroke, which made her a candidate for tPA treatment, aka the clot-buster. I debated for a few minutes, but it really was a no-brainer, if you will. 93% success rate, 7% resulting in worsened symptoms, creating hemorrhaging in the brain. When I gave the okay, they immediately went into action. It was a big room, so Mike and I could sit on the sidelines. The nurse, Rosemarie, or Rosie, was so very good. Mom's left side was affected- left side of her face, left arm and leg. She also couldn't look to the right past center. She couldn't talk- she was still fully awake and observant, but couldn't make more than weak attempt. Once they got the tPA drip going, we waited, though not for long. At 6 minutes: she could move her head to the right again. 15-20 minutes: she could move her left arm and leg. Within an hour she could talk some- she said she was thirsty. Because swallowing is affected, and to avoid a choking hazard, she wasn't allowed anything to drink or eat for 24 hours. She had an IV and that was it. Later that day I learned that this hospital is a certifed Primary Stroke Center. How lucky is that?
She spent 2 days in ICU, 2 more days in the hospital, then she was released to a skilled nursing facility, where she stayed with physical therapy until March 26th. With a nurse visiting a couple of times a week, and continued physical therapy, she's doing quite well, considering how it could have been. She's graduated from wheelchair to a rolling walker with brakes. She may always need one, but who knows? This is the second round of strokes for her- the first was almost 3 years ago, though she wasn't so lucky. No one was around to take her for treatment. She recovered okay, but it took some work.
At the top of everyone's agenda is finding a way to keep Mom busy enough to stay out of trouble... Ha!
So this is my way of sneaking in a PSA. This is serious business, and I'd be willing to bet most of us are at risk here. I know I am. I've decided I must take better care of myself NOW. Regular exercise, eat better, reduce stress and so on.
American Stroke Association.
Interesting article on tPA
End of PSA
Thanks for indulging me.
Nine days after the stroke, with the residual black eyes,
my mother, Mary.
Cheers to Mike- I don't know how I'd manage without his support.
If there's anything to it, Mom's Irish blood has been living up to what is often called the Luck of the Irish. On Feb 7, at 9:10 AM, I heard two big, loud thunks coming from her room. I called out asking if she was okay- no answer. I ran into her room, where I found her face down on the floor, unable to speak and not moving. Her nose was beginning to bleed. She had landed on her face. I suspected a stroke and yelled for Mike to call 911. In what seemed like a pretty short time- 10 minutes or so- an ambulance was here. The nearest hospital is 10 minutes drive from here. We don't have a lot around here, but we do have a decent hospital. They asked me a few questions before they took her down there, then a few more when we got to the emergency room. Mostly focusing on when I thought she had had the stroke- there is a 3 hour window with the tPA treatment. I could tell she had already been up and gone out for her paper and had her cereal.
The ambulance left first, we followed shortly after. By the time we got there, she was already in getting a (non-contrast) CT scan. Very shortly, she was in the ER and awaiting the results. She was still on a stretcher, with neck brace, too. Her nose was cut and swollen from the fall. I told her they were taking the very best care of her and not to worry. We mothers worry a lot. Often more than necessary.
The ER doc came in and told us the CT scan showed no hemorrhaging, which indicated an ischemic (dry) stroke, which made her a candidate for tPA treatment, aka the clot-buster. I debated for a few minutes, but it really was a no-brainer, if you will. 93% success rate, 7% resulting in worsened symptoms, creating hemorrhaging in the brain. When I gave the okay, they immediately went into action. It was a big room, so Mike and I could sit on the sidelines. The nurse, Rosemarie, or Rosie, was so very good. Mom's left side was affected- left side of her face, left arm and leg. She also couldn't look to the right past center. She couldn't talk- she was still fully awake and observant, but couldn't make more than weak attempt. Once they got the tPA drip going, we waited, though not for long. At 6 minutes: she could move her head to the right again. 15-20 minutes: she could move her left arm and leg. Within an hour she could talk some- she said she was thirsty. Because swallowing is affected, and to avoid a choking hazard, she wasn't allowed anything to drink or eat for 24 hours. She had an IV and that was it. Later that day I learned that this hospital is a certifed Primary Stroke Center. How lucky is that?
She spent 2 days in ICU, 2 more days in the hospital, then she was released to a skilled nursing facility, where she stayed with physical therapy until March 26th. With a nurse visiting a couple of times a week, and continued physical therapy, she's doing quite well, considering how it could have been. She's graduated from wheelchair to a rolling walker with brakes. She may always need one, but who knows? This is the second round of strokes for her- the first was almost 3 years ago, though she wasn't so lucky. No one was around to take her for treatment. She recovered okay, but it took some work.
At the top of everyone's agenda is finding a way to keep Mom busy enough to stay out of trouble... Ha!
So this is my way of sneaking in a PSA. This is serious business, and I'd be willing to bet most of us are at risk here. I know I am. I've decided I must take better care of myself NOW. Regular exercise, eat better, reduce stress and so on.
American Stroke Association.
Interesting article on tPA
End of PSA
Thanks for indulging me.
Nine days after the stroke, with the residual black eyes,
my mother, Mary.
Cheers to Mike- I don't know how I'd manage without his support.
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