Today I met up with my Dad who was up for a visit from the Caribbean. I love my father. He's awesome. I could talk about him forever. He needs his own blog. That's how epically awesome he is.
Over some iced coffee and creme brulee that he's not supposed to have (hello heart attack), we spoke about stroke. I often forget that he also had a stroke...and a heart attack at the same time in 2001. We made fun of memory loss and other things that happened to us. That was the first time we had spoken about his stroke and mine. I felt a new level of closeness between us. It's awesome that we can share experiences, even the bad ones.
I love my Daddy.
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Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
The Good Die Young
This is more of a reflective post not concerning stroke but concerning life.
Yesterday, I was saddened to hear of a friend's brother's passing. He was only 33. Healthy, young, full of life and taken. His heart simply stopped. Isn't that something? It just stopped. You think you can prevent anything by eating healthy and taking care of yourself and then life throws you a curveball. I often think that at this age, we are too young to die but when I really get down to it, when I was younger I was saying the same thing when my parents or aunts or uncles had friends pass...They were in their 30s so it really shouldn't come as a surprise to me that these things happen. You can die. You're not invisible. You can break.
We often think that nothing can touch us, that nothing can happen or that it happens to someone else and never to us per se. I don't know...I guess it's moments like these that make us open our eyes if not for just a moment so we can slow down and just be. Ignore the perils of everyday and just pause and recognize that we aren't untouchable and to cherish each and every moment.
Seriously...stop and smell the flowers.
R.I.P. Peter...When I think of you, I always see a kind smile on your face. You will be missed.
Yesterday, I was saddened to hear of a friend's brother's passing. He was only 33. Healthy, young, full of life and taken. His heart simply stopped. Isn't that something? It just stopped. You think you can prevent anything by eating healthy and taking care of yourself and then life throws you a curveball. I often think that at this age, we are too young to die but when I really get down to it, when I was younger I was saying the same thing when my parents or aunts or uncles had friends pass...They were in their 30s so it really shouldn't come as a surprise to me that these things happen. You can die. You're not invisible. You can break.
We often think that nothing can touch us, that nothing can happen or that it happens to someone else and never to us per se. I don't know...I guess it's moments like these that make us open our eyes if not for just a moment so we can slow down and just be. Ignore the perils of everyday and just pause and recognize that we aren't untouchable and to cherish each and every moment.
Seriously...stop and smell the flowers.
R.I.P. Peter...When I think of you, I always see a kind smile on your face. You will be missed.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Pregnancy After Stroke
Today, I read an article about a woman who suffered over 3 miscarriages. The article was about how sometimes nature just isn't being nature and that there could be serious medical reasons why she was losing so many babies.
One of the reasons was clotting. This freaked me out because I'd like to think that one day I'll have a couple of young scrappers in my life and now that seems a little uncertain. Stroke victims have a risk when they carry. When I was reading this, I started to remember all the bad feelings, hurts and pains I had while recovering and the symptoms I had leading up to the stroke. I DO NOT want to have another one and that seems to be a very real risk if/when I get pregnant.
I know you can get your blood tested for levels of antithrombin and things like that but do I really want to risk that? I already have slightly below levels for certain proteins....what if this ends up hurting me? Having a family is a ways off for me but it's still something I should think about. Hmm...
One of the reasons was clotting. This freaked me out because I'd like to think that one day I'll have a couple of young scrappers in my life and now that seems a little uncertain. Stroke victims have a risk when they carry. When I was reading this, I started to remember all the bad feelings, hurts and pains I had while recovering and the symptoms I had leading up to the stroke. I DO NOT want to have another one and that seems to be a very real risk if/when I get pregnant.
I know you can get your blood tested for levels of antithrombin and things like that but do I really want to risk that? I already have slightly below levels for certain proteins....what if this ends up hurting me? Having a family is a ways off for me but it's still something I should think about. Hmm...
Thursday, May 19, 2011
More Should Be Done
I was saddened to hear of a friend's mother's passing from a stroke yesterday. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. Her passing reminds me that not enough is being done for victims (especially victims under 60 of strokes).
I have been reading up on Stroke Trials. There seems to be a great amount of research being done which no doubt makes me happy and I hope makes you happy to. I just recently found out that drug trials can cost from $500 million to $2 billion! All this for drugs that may never see the light of day. Candidates for a new drug to treat a disease might include 5,000 to 10,000 chemical compounds and from that, typically 10 of these will qualify to test on people! 10!
Imagine being a scientist working on these drugs. You could go your whole career and not see one single drug approved...Well, if they don't get discouraged, neither can we! There's something out there. We just have to keep digging.
I have been reading up on Stroke Trials. There seems to be a great amount of research being done which no doubt makes me happy and I hope makes you happy to. I just recently found out that drug trials can cost from $500 million to $2 billion! All this for drugs that may never see the light of day. Candidates for a new drug to treat a disease might include 5,000 to 10,000 chemical compounds and from that, typically 10 of these will qualify to test on people! 10!
Imagine being a scientist working on these drugs. You could go your whole career and not see one single drug approved...Well, if they don't get discouraged, neither can we! There's something out there. We just have to keep digging.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The Cutest Little Clot You Ever Did See
On a recent trip to the Hematologist, I came across this little critter on top of the receptionist's computer.
I guess every little laugh helps :)
I Made It
I'm alive and well.
I can blow out candles.
I can dance, smile and laugh.
I'm 6 months after.
Fabulous!
Dissection free.
Blood Thinner free.
Piece of mind.
Free.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
STROKE AWARENESS MONTH
May is Stroke Awareness Month (As declared by George Bush in 1989)
Celebration! Throw the confetti up in the air and dance!
The face of stroke is you and me. Remember, anyone can get a stroke and up to 80% can be prevented.
It has officially been 6 months since I had my own stroke so today is my own stroke birthday. Happy birthday ischemic stroke, you didn't get the best of me!
Shout out to Liza who's also celebrating her 1 year strokiversary! Here's to health and being better and stronger with each passing day!
Today's Stroke Tip:
Women may report different unique stroke symptoms than men:
Celebration! Throw the confetti up in the air and dance!
The face of stroke is you and me. Remember, anyone can get a stroke and up to 80% can be prevented.
It has officially been 6 months since I had my own stroke so today is my own stroke birthday. Happy birthday ischemic stroke, you didn't get the best of me!
Shout out to Liza who's also celebrating her 1 year strokiversary! Here's to health and being better and stronger with each passing day!
Today's Stroke Tip:
Women may report different unique stroke symptoms than men:
- sudden face and limb pain
- sudden hiccups
- sudden nausea
- sudden general weakness
- sudden chest pain
- sudden shortness of breath
- sudden palpitations
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