Damned lucky this was recognized as a stroke, numerous young persons are not diagnosed correctly.
http://www.thesnaponline.com/news/year-old-talks-about-stroke/article_1b7895a4-a072-11e6-9650-9f16b2e5d803.html
Endy resident Martha Dennis, 36, experienced her fourth stroke in September.
Her
most recent stroke manifested more of the typical symptoms, Dennis
said, recalling her slurred speech and weakness on her left side. It
came as a surprise to her as she does not have the typical factors that
lead to strokes.
“I don’t have high cholesterol,” she said. “I don’t have high blood pressure. I don’t smoke, I don’t drink.”
Fortunately,
Dennis was near Novant Matthews Medical Center when the stroke struck.
As a previous EMT first responder, she recognized what was happening to
her and sought immediate medical attention.
By the time she
reached the emergency room the symptoms were already fading, but the
staff took her story seriously enough to have her seen. Damned lucky this was recognized as a stroke, numerous young persons are not diagnosed correctly.
After
several brain scans, Martha was informed that she indeed had experienced
a stroke; in fact, the doctor saw indications of four strokes on the
image of her brain.
The first three she was unaware of, indicating that they were very minor.
However, Martha believes she can now pin point one of her previous strokes, noting that it happened while she was at work.
“I
remember standing at a register and another employ was standing right
there with me and I just kind of went blank for a few minutes,” said
Martha. “But I didn’t have any of the slurred speech or muscle weakness.
I just went blank for a minute.”
At the time, Martha and her
family believed the episode was caused by low blood sugar, Martha was
also recovering from bronchitis. However, she now believes it was likely
one of her previous strokes.
Doctors at Novant Health concluded
that the cause of Martha’s strokes are small blood vessels in her brain
and she is now on blood thinners to maintain steady blood flow.
Her
latest stroke, though the most significant, has not detered Martha’s
positivity. Though it has caused some anxiety, she said she is trying to
remain positive and trust that the medicine she is taking will prevent
future incidents.
“I just want to stay positive, that the medicine
they gave me is going to work and that I’m going to continue to live a
normal life,” said Martha.
She noted that the biggest change to
her daily routine immediately following her stroke was the inability to
help her children get ready in the morning. At the time of interview,
Martha reported minimal lasting effects from the stroke, aside from a
paralysis in her heart, including short term memory loss and some
lingering weakness on her left side.
Martha thanked her family, husband Chad, daughter Shelby and son Colin, and friends for supporting her through her time.
World Stroke Day is today, Oct. 29, 2016 sponsored by the National Stroke Association (SA).
According
to the SA, the last ten years have shown a trend of younger American
experiencing a stroke. It reported an increase of 44 percent of
individuals under 45 having a stroke.
“Stroke is the leading cause
of disability and the second leading cause of death globally,” said the
SA website. “Stroke can happen to anyone at any age”
Signs and
symptoms of a stroke include: sudden numbness or weakness in face, arm
or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion, trouble
speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes;
sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination;
sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Immediately call 9-1-1 if you observe these symptoms.
“You
just have to know what the signs and symptoms are,” said Martha. “You
have to be able to recognize them not only in yourself but in other
people. If you can recognize them in yourself, then you can get yourself
the help you need.”
Martha writes the Endy News for the Stanly
News and Press and works at Lowes in Albemarle. She does not have
insurance to cover the cost of her recent medical bills following her
stroke. If anyone would like to donate to the Dennis family, contact
Martha at smc71205@ hotmail.com.
For more information on strokes or World Stroke Day, visit www.stroke.org.
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