July 24, 2014 – I had my acute pontine stroke this day. I really thought it was my inner ear messing with me and put off going to the hospital for at least 1.5 hours. When I did finally go, they thought it was a bad migraine (long history of headaches) but I argued it was not. I finally convinced them to take the chance and give me tPA.

The type of stroke I have is in the area of the brain that controls blood pressure and oxygen. From the reading I have done, the survival rate is 22%. Each stroke is completely different on each individual. I had to learn how to walk again, but still have issues with doing that. I tire easily still especially after a large social gathering. I have pain 24/7. I do not feel my forehead or right side of my face or hand. I feel very blessed that they were able to get me to use my hand again the best I can to create.

When this date comes, I do feel sadness. Yet, I feel very thankful. Thankful that the Lord gave me a second chance to live. Each day is a blessing. Do not forget that.

Please be familiar with the stroke slogan above. You may save a life by knowing the warning signs. Thank you for reading this!

May is National Stroke Awareness Month and I always share information with my readers on this month.

I am an acute brain stem stroke survivor. 22% survival rate. I feel very blessed to be here. My fight for the the last 6.5 years has been constant. I have many physical deficits from my stroke and I still continue to see doctors and do PT/OT off and on. This is my new normal.

Only 20% of stroke survivors have no deficits. Each stroke is entirely different.

I have been battling for years to get the American Stroke Association to change their acronym to “B.E. F.A.S.T.” as shown in the graphic above. My symptoms were under the B category. I actually thought it was my inner ear messing with me that summer afternoon, and waited to go to the hospital. Had I gone sooner, I may have has less deficits and they would have gotten tPA into me sooner.

Stroke knows no age. Babies have strokes during birth. Young women are having strokes at alarming rates, yet it is rarely talked about.

If you read this post, please take a moment to look at the graphic above and be familiar with the signs. You may save someone’s life.

Happy May!
This is National Stroke Awareness Month. For those of you that do not know, I am a stroke survivor suffering a Ischemic Stroke in my brain stem on July 24, 2014. I was 50 years old. I feel very strongly about alerting others about the risk of stroke. It hits ALL AGES and does not discriminate.

This year, I will doing the 1 mile Heart Walk on Saturday, May 6th. It will take every once I have to do this, but I am bound and determined I will. I am still looking for sponsors for this event and if you are interested you can donate any amount here:  Heart Walk 2017 Donations

Lots of info at this site…just click on graphic!

Today, I have the honor of another recovery story being shared on the “Life After Stroke” website. I hope you can stop by and read the post and many others who are on the journey to recovery. We all try and share our stories because each of our strokes were different. Our hope is to bring awareness. Stroke hits ALL ages. In the past ten years, there has been an increase of strokes hitting those 45 years old and younger. An increase of 44%!!! That is a very frightening thing.

I do hope you can stop by and say hello!

Shhhh…my brain is healing!