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Nisha – Chicago, IL
The moment I first spoke to my grandfather over the phone after he had his stroke when I was 12 years old, I was scared and confused. He lived in India, and he was unable to receive immediate care because he was not in the usual metropolitan Mumbai where he lived. Instead, he was in a rural area that was far from an appropriate medical facility. He suffered hemi-paresis and speech difficulties. I did not understand what exactly happened to him until I started studying Neuroscience in college. Now that I am a Speech-Language Pathologist, I have realized that he had non-fluent aphasia resulting from left-hemisphere brain damage from his stroke. I think of the many times I was on the phone with him and what I could have said to him if I knew what I know now. I think of my last face-to-face conversation with him in India, and I picture him pointing to a piece of chocolate I was carrying as I was leaving. He said, "chocolate". While it was not a usual type of dialogue one engages in when they say goodbye, there was so much value and emotion involved in that simple exchange. I could tell that he was satisfied to correctly identify, in English, what I was holding. I remember feeling happy as well, that our last communication was positive for him. However, I still do feel that I could have gotten more out of him...if I only knew then what I know now. Everyday this feeling inspires me to do more, push more, learn more, and help more patients that suffer from aphasia and cognitive impairments from stroke. I truly love my job, and, while I did not enter the field being inspired by any one person or event, I know that my grandfather is pushing me along every day.
Michelle – Park Forest, IL
On May 16, 2011 my dad had a stroke. He was on his way to work and as we've been told had just arrived, put the truck in park and turned it off before slumping over to the side. It was 5:30 in the morning. My dad had always been the strong one, the one who would solve anyone's problems. He wasn't in perfect health but he wasn't sickly either. He was strong and could do anything. And in a moment was left helpless and unable to move. Thankfully his workers found him and called 911. By 7:30 that morning he had been transported to a second hospital, The University of Chicago Hospital, and was put in the very capable hands of some very good doctors. They saved my dad\'s life. He spent about a month there in the ICU before being transferred to another hospital. He spent about 3 weeks in VIBRA where they looked after him waiting for the doctors to remove him from the respirator and for the pneumonia to be gone. My dad was then moved to an Acute Rehab Facility for an additional 3 weeks of therapy. Wow, did that place work for him. He made such progress. He has since then been moved home and it is nice to have him there...and a stress. I really never gave it much thought about having him home. Other than thinking we no longer have to go to the hospital. Boy was I ever wrong. It is not easier. It\'s hard to see my dad not be "my dad". And it's hard to be one of his two caregivers. I constantly feel pulled in so many directions. How do I care for my dad and my own family and myself?! How do I not let anyone down? I realize I'm not alone but I sure feel like I am. I know we need to get used to the new "normal" and we will. I wish this hadn't happened to my dad or our family. I do know that though it is hard and we may stumble along the way, we will make it through. Dad will get better. We will be ok again.
Robert – McHenry, IL
I had my stroke at the age of 57. In February of 2001, I was in a Walmart store in Janesville, WI. It hit me in the middle of the store without any warning, and I started to fall and my son caught me before I hit the floor. I was rushed to the Mercy Hospital almost immediately and was at the hospital very quick. I got the clot buster shot and was taken to a room. It became my home for almost four months. Through much therapy, I got my speech and walking ability, not all back but enough to function. I now am back to driving and doing a lot of the household chores. We live a pretty normal life except what scares the stroke left. We still have and are raising a 44-year-old special needs daughter, and I go fishing with a special needs guy about once a week in the summer. I wrote my book about my stroke the first two years out of the hospital. I wasn’t able to get it published, but what I discovered about myself and how I dealt with the stroke were invaluable to me in my recovery. I never asked the Lord why me, I just accepted it as part of my life I had to endure. I now am wanting to give back some of the experience to someone who needs a little bit of hope in their future.
Yolanda – Illinois
I am the caregiver of a stroke survivor. My husband, Martin, had a stroke on February 14, 2009; it changed our lives forever. You hear about it, but never realize how it affects your lifes. Martin was always on the move, he took care of his building, always there after work to pick me up from the Orange line. My husband was 71 years old when this happened, we were to go ice skating with our grandchildren and my sisters. When he didn’t answer my phone calls, I knew something was wrong. I called my son and told him to go and check up on his father; he was on the floor awake. His left side was weak, he called 911 and was taken to the hospital, where he spent 2 weeks in ICU. He never was in a coma, he was always talking. It has been two years. He does assist in his dressing but has a long way to go. He has not been able to take steps but can stand on his right leg with assistance.
I do keep taking him for therapy, it is imporant. The caregiver is the one that has to push for this. There should be more programs for young stroke survivors and more information available about what do you do after the stroke. Where to go, I was lost. I have installed a chair lift in the hallway to get him down. We purchased a disability van for the wheelchair and attended a stroke camp last year and will be going again this year. We do go out and have gone to the movies. Life does go on!!
Sarah – Illinois
Technically when you turn 18, you are considered an adult. But most 18-year-olds are just graduating high school and still under their parent. Most are not dealing with many responsibilities. They are more concerned about their weekend plans than anything else.
Perhaps they are on the brink of going to school. About to move to a new city. Others may start a full-time work week. Finally financially able to cover their own needs. At this time of change, many are pondering the next stage of their lives. Who they are and will they marry, settle down or how many kids they want. Yet as these 18-year-olds move away from home, they mostly want to have fun. They pursue short-term gratification and they find various ways to get it. Read Sarah's Full Story
Margo – Illinois
On the day I had my stroke, I was 31 years old and had the worst headache of my life. I had a history of migraines but this was worse, and very different. Nothing I took, including migraine medication, would make it better. While driving, I felt a sharp pain in the back of my head and my vision went completely black. It was a blessing that I was driving in a snowstorm because no other cars were driving on the side road I was on. I stopped the car and heard a snowplow -- and started beeping my horn and waving. I think they thought I was crazy! They called for an ambulance, and someone parked my car for me. At the time I remember thinking, "I must be having a stroke but that's not possible because I'm too young." The hospital struggled with a diagnosis until they gave me an MRI with contrast. They diagnosed me with a stroke in the occipital lobe. Within six months, 80% of my vision was recovered and 14 years later, about 90% of my vision has returned. I have a small peripheral defect on the left side, and slight short term memory loss. I am fully functional and I am grateful for help and support materials from the AHA. What caused my stroke at such a young age? I have a blood disorder called Antiphospholipid/Anticardiolipin Antibody Syndrome. I'm on Coumadin forever but I consider myself the luckiest person in the world to have found out early and to have recovered quickly.
Pat – Illinois
Had a mini stroke back in August '09. Caused temporary blindness. Was home after three days. Then in November '09, had a major stroke causing temporary blindness again, but also ataxia on the left side of the body as well as slurred speech and loss of equilibrium, all of which are lasting problems. Both speech and ataxia are improving, but the equilibrium still remains a problem.
Estella – Georgia
Hello my name is Estella but I go by JO. I have had many strokes the first one I had was called a mini stroke and I have had three of them.Then I had an ischemic stroke. I was paralysis from my hands and arms down to my feet could not walk I don't know how I got to the hospital. When I woke up my sister-in-law told me I was in the hospital. I was in Houston County which was in Warner Robins GA. IT was 2-13-2008. They keep me there for about a week. Then they took me to a rehab clinic. I stayed there for a month trying to learn how to get my hands to work again and to learn to walk again. Well when that didn’t work they let me come home for good. I was so depress. I didn't know what to do. I hated myself so BAD one day I got up from my bed and said to myself you are not going to stay this way. So I got up got my walker and started trying to move my feet. Then when I got that down, I took little steps. Then, I took off like a rocket. I prayed to God to help me get better and with his help I am walking by myself. Without a walker, my hands are fine now. I thank God every day for helping me get through this difficult time in my life and that is when I ask GOD and Jesus to come into my life and it happened. So I thank God for helping me.
Steven – Massachusetts
This is his wife, he can’t type yet. Steven at age 33 had a massive hemorrhagic stroke in May of 2009 while we were vacationing in Jamaica. Due to the lack of health care it was 24 hours before we were air ambulance back to the states and to Florida. He spent a month in ICU while undergoing a hemicrainiectomy and several other surgeries. We were told it was very serious and they were not sure of what the outcome would be. He has a condition called protein C deficiency which they believe contributed to the clot that caused the bleed. We finally were air ambulance back to Boston where Steven went to Spaulding Rehab Hospital for a month and a half. Six months later he had his skull reattached and started outpatient therapy. He continues today with Speech and OT and has made amazing progress. Channel 5 news in Boston has done 3 news stories on Steven's story and we are heavily involved with Spaulding. Steven's sister has created the Steven T. Hill Stroke foundation (www.sthstrokefoundation.org) to raise funds for Steven's recovery and we are also trying to spread the word that stroke happens to the young as well. I have done many speeches and talks about Steven's story and we are continuing to try to find ways to spread the word. I am advocating for another local stroke survivor who found us on the internet and am helping guide them through the healing process. See the official story and all the media and news articles at www.sthstrokefoundation.org/galleries. I apologize for my typing my space key is not working. Please feel free to contact me Tanya Hill at tanyahill1022@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Rachel – Illinois
Hello SSEEO,
I have this idea to start a movement to bring awareness to stroke, make people more aware. I had a stroke at 25 and didn’t even know what one was until I was told I was having one. So many young people need to be aware. I am disabled now and would love to get people aware that it DOES NOT only happen to old people!!! I see so many different facebook pages with posts about stroke survivors! My goal is to use them and get as many stroke survivor stories compiled. The goal is 50, hopefully 100. Can you post this info on your page? I have already emailed it out to 20 plus names I found from your facebook and national stroke association facebook page. I have already got 10 very interested people!! So I’m excited to get this going!! Women especially I think suffer more greatly from strokes by poor emergency room care- being ER doctors do not take stroke symptoms as serious as those of men, therefore miss valuable time to treat!! I would like to change that. Please let me know if you can help, here's the email I have been sending out already.
Eduardo – Naperville, IL
I suffered a CVA stroke on 3/18/10. It occurred while I was at work. I remember that my tongue felt heavy and left side started to feel weak to me. The headache was so intense. The people around me thought it was my diabetes. I was told later on that someone suggested to call paramedics. I was rushed to St. Alexian Hospital in Elk Grove Village, IL. The care I received was tremendous. It all hit me when I was transfered over across the street to their Rehab Facility. The staff was great from the nurses to the PCT and the therapists. It has been a struggle for me. My speech had been affected and my left side is much weaker. I have good days and then I have days that I stumble more than others. My short term memory has been affected. Through this new road, I have had my wife to care for me--fight for me--and give me tough love. I am still here for a reason. I have lost old friends but have made new ones.
Louise – Montville, NJ
Two months ago I collapsed at work, and had a stroke. I was forturnate to have been taken to the hospital on time, and had the aneruism coiled. In addition, I had a shunt place in my head. It has been a long journey. I had no warning signs of a stroke. I was told that the aneruism was always there, and it was a matter of time before it bleed. I am home recovering now for almost 3months. The tiredness and fatigue never seems to pass day to day. Please share with me how long you felt this way after a stroke. It has become depressing to know that I have no quality of life because I am always so tired.
Thanks.
Shirley – Swansea, UK
i had a stroke in 1962 when I was 15. It was a bolt out of the blue, and it's left me with no use in my left arm and a noticable limp. I have been lucky enouh to have two children and now have four grandsons. It's been a long road but my advice is, no matter how down you get, NEVER GIVE UP, AND NEVER GIVE IN. Easy you may say but I can vouch for it.
AnnaMaria – Chicago, IL
I'm sure there are holes in my story, but I do remember the best I can.
The Beginning: It had to start late June 08. I started to get these bright spots in my vision. I was at work and all of a sudden I couldn't see. The best way I could explain it is that when you get it in the head, you are stunned for a minute and see stars. I had a co-worker take me to the nearest hospital because I knew something wasn't right. I was admitted and sent home, about three days later, with Vertigo.
This had to be a few days later (I'm not sure which came first), but I was driving home on the highway from work, and my horizontal vision went vertical so I pulled over. I had to call my parents to come get me (with my eyes closed) because I couldn't drive, or see. They came. Read Anna's Full Story
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