The last time I had a medical emergency I got a CAT scan along with the usual. An infection in the jaw as it turned out. This time around it was a CAT scan, three ultasounds, and an MRI, which led to the discovery I’d had a stroke.
CAT scan didn’t find anything, so I had the MRI. The ultrasounds revealed that the veins of my legs, the carotids in my neck, and my heart are good. The MRI revealed the stroke.
A minor one as it turns out. I’m pretty much functional, and I expect to make a full recovery.
And me on Medicaid.
I can recall when MRIs were not used on such a casual basis. You had a minor stroke the diagnosis was made from personal observation. Today you can get confirmation.
Let me put it this way, the MRI was not done to learn if the stroke had occurred, it was done to confirm the stroke had occurred.
Let’s review: Right side going on strike, speech blurred, slurred and generally not cooperating. Which has pretty much cleared up now. (I made a fast recovery.) Back in Grandpa’s day this would be judged a stroke. Today we verify using a tool that needs more power than a Las Vegas marquee for a single scan. And you helped pay for it.
I’m just happy it wasn’t worse. I’m also happy my veins are clear, my heart is sound, and my total cholesterol has fallen (177-156).
But seriously, I got lucky, you may not. So keep yourself active and find excuses to get some kind of exercise.
Glad you are getting better.
Comment by Kathy K — 12 Feb, 2005 @ 06:41
Good luck and prayers that you make a full recovery.
Comment by Jeff Soyer — 12 Feb, 2005 @ 08:33
Thank you.
I’m not at 100% yet, but it shouldn’t take long. What I need right now is exercise, but the rain is bollixing that.
—
Twas a minor stroke. A transitory one at that. I got lucky. A small clot - and one quickly broken up and dispersed - and a small stroke followed. Add in the fact that I’m in pretty good physical health and you get a fellow who’s back home after a couple days away, functioning alright.
—
So now I take aspirin as a blood thinner, and I’ll be taking blood pressure medication once I’ve seen my doctor.
—
When something like this happens remember that whatever does not kill you, could leave you in a persistent vegetative state.
Comment by Alan Kellogg — 12 Feb, 2005 @ 17:44
I started exercising three years ago and feel better today, at 64, than at any time since my retirement back in 1985. I can attest to the efficacy of daily exercise. I don’t know if I have held off a stroke, but I do know it could have helped as my cholesterol went down to reasonable levels (lower than my 35 year old doctor’s) sans medication.
Get with it, Kathy! You will be very surprised how much better you will feel after 45 minutes to an hour of exercise daily.
Stay well! We all love having you around.
Bill
Comment by Bill Ewing — 13 Feb, 2005 @ 03:03
Boy did I goof, Mythusmage. Please forgive me. I shall be more discerning when reading posts in the future.
Anyhoo, the advice should be good for you too.
Kathy: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea ultima culpa!!!
Comment by Bill Ewing — 14 Feb, 2005 @ 16:33