Why mom didn’t necessarily have to die
This spring my mother will have been gone 23 years. She died way too young of a stroke sitting in her chair trying to enjoy a cup of coffee with her best friend by her side. She had been suffering from a persistent headache and unfortunately was misdiagnosed by her primary physician. I say she died in that chair but she actually was taken via life flight to the hospital where they attempted to save her and kept her alive until all of kids and her siblings could get there to say our goodbyes. It is one of life’s events that remain vivid in your mind and still bring tears to my eyes.
Those headaches should have been a warning sign to all but we knew less about stroke 23 years ago. My mother was probably suffering mini-strokes long before and they went undetected. This week we learned a bit more about recovery statistics if stroke patients are treated with tPA, or tissue plasminogen activator within a few hours of the event. The numbers are impressive. We now can improve outcomes by some 30% with the right treatment at the right time and emergency rooms across the country are ramping up to have the drug on hand to help the incoming.
All well and great but we still must educate you and me John and Jane Q. Public about the symptoms of which many are the same. NIH list the following:
- Sudden weakness
- Paralysis (an inability to move) or numbness of the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body
- Confusion
- Trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Problems breathing
- Dizziness, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, and unexplained falls
- Loss of consciousness
- Sudden and severe headache
Time is the hero here so don’t waste it if you or your loved one demonstrates or experiences any of the above.
Kevin Kirkpatrick is Director of Community Relations
