| Author | Message | ||
     Harleyms |
I had a stroke. (The wife reminds me it was a series of strokes.) On January 9, 2012, at thirty-seven years old, 5’9,” 150 pounds on a humid day, I had a stroke. The doctors said I have no other risk factors other than now I’ve already had one. I don’t smoke, can count the number of drinks in a year on one hand, all the blood tests came back perfect, and I had a stroke. January 9th started like lots of other days. The wife had to be at the airport for her flight to California for work. I took her the little over 100 miles from our house to the airport because she was coming back on the redeye Saturday morning. So I had dropped her off at a little before seven am and was back at home before nine am. The 9th was supposed to be the first day of Chemistry class for me, class started at 4:30pm. So I amused myself for the day. At about four pm I packed up my bag for class and decided to go get something quick to eat before class. I remember sitting at the red light a few blocks away and thinking about class among other things when the best way I can describe it is a “pop” happened and the pain started. I took my sunglasses off and managed to turn the stereo off. I don’t remember what happened but I managed to make it from the left lane to the right lane and off the highway in four blocks and pulled into a parking place where I called three people, my wife who didn’t answer at first, my dad who didn’t know what to do but was on his way the 20 minutes it would take him, and my friend I’ve known since high school who works a block from where I ended up. The wife called back and I sounded drunk and hysterical by this point, my friend showed up while I was talking to her. He talked to her and got me the six blocks the other direction to the hospital where this continues. I remember not being able to sign my name. I remember using a throw up bag as a hyperventilation bag at first because my hands and feet were going numb. I then remember using that bag to throw up in at least three times. I also remember my dad showing up, I remember my ex dropping my 16 year old son off at the hospital. I also remember the nurse making hamburger out of my right arm trying to stick an IV in me. Other than that I vaguely remember the ambulance ride from the local hospital to St. Louis the next afternoon. I don’t remember too much of the next two days in stroke ICU (other than catheter) where they told my wife (who had flown back Tuesday morning, and is the reason why I was no longer at the local hospital) that there was a good chance I was to be a vegetable. I remember lots of morphine, and lots of different nurses and doctors asking me my name and the date and where I was. The doctors realized I had had something called an arterial dissection in my brain that caused the strokes. Once the swelling in my brain stopped, Thursday morning it was decided I shouldn’t be in the ICU anymore so they moved me out to a room with another patient that had no idea, there was a lot of suction, etc. involved at all hours of the day and night. I didn’t and don’t ever want to be like that. Friday evening they told me that I could do in-patient therapy there but it would be Tuesday the 17th before they could get me in, where if I went back to my local in-patient therapy they would start on the 16th, so they moved me one last time Friday night. Saturday morning they took one last CAT scan and shipped me back close to home. Sunday I had off, it involved lots of TV and a little reading. After in-patient therapy from Monday till Friday I can tell you that my right side is slower than my left. Typing sucks, writing sucks worse, vertigo is a strange thing. They let me go home Friday morning. I will not be attending classes this semester. If you don’t have a transfer on death on everything, you should, this includes the house, the bank accounts, the cars, etc. We will also be doing a living will that hopefully will take care of any other issues we find. I have out-patient therapy three times a week starting Wednesday, I want to least write again. Gross motor skills are good, fine motor skills not so much. I find myself having tremors in my right hand. I feel like I’m 80 instead of not even 40……… My speech is slightly slurred, especially if I get really tired. All the doctors are still confused as to how I’m walking and talking. The ones here who viewed my films and records before I got here were expecting me to maybe go home in 3-4 weeks with help of a walker. All in all I'm glad I'm where I'm at but wish it would'a picked on someone else.....I have lot's of stuff to do this year...  I said something about not knowing if I could ride again and my wife almost looked hurt as she chastised me.... | ||
| Sdecp |
Hey Harley: It was the pressure of getting ready to take chemistry classes....haha. I am finishing up my chemical engineering degree and have taken more chemistry classes than I ever wanted. Just kidding Harley, I am glad you are OK man. Good luck with everything. I hope you get back to your chemistry class after you get better. Sean | ||
| Littlebuggles |
DANG Harley!!! I'm glad you are doing better so quickly, what a thing to have happen! Sounds like you have a strong will to live, even on "emergency auto-pilot" you kept from crashing and got yourself clear of traffic and somewhere safe. You'll be riding before the middle of summer. Glad your buddy was able to get to you quick. About four years ago my older brother, then 35 had several mini strokes, he was out of the hospital in a day or two as well. He's always been kinda goofy, and so you just can't tell if he's any different at all now. Drives and talks and acts the same as he ever did... you being a healthy guy should play well into a swift and hopefully full recovery. Heal up fast brother! Post Script... Chem was fun, made me wish I was smarter 'cause I really enjoyed what I understood of the class  | ||
| Geedee |
Hi Harley, Sorry to hear of your stroke. Strokes can affect anybody at any time and many people are unaware they have suffered one. My Dad made a good recovery, but tests showed that over the years he had a number of minor ones. Each one leaves a scar which can be detected. I have just read up on your diagnosis of Arterial Dissection which appears to mostly affect young to middle aged people. Already you have 'someone' on your side watching over you. From what you have said about yourself I'm picking you have every reason to and will make a full recovery and be back riding that gorgeous S1W. My thoughts and prayers to you and your wife. Gary Here is a link to a wonderful video you may find helpful and uplifting: http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_power ful_stroke_of_insight.html | ||
| Crusty |
Wow. And I'm nervous about heart surgery.  I hope you recover quicker and more completely than expected; and that you look back at this as just another speed bump on your road through life. With all the positive energy available here, you should be up and running smooth in short order.  | ||
| Dynasport |
Strokes scare the crap out of me. But many people fully recover and I pray that your recovery is full and swift. | ||
| Oldog |
Glad to hear that you are mending I hope that you beat this thing... | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Wish you a speedy and full recovery! | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Must be 4 stroke if you've not been a smoker.  All the best for the rehab. | ||
| Blake |
Harley, That's a harrowing story! Sounds to me like you are on your way to a full recovery. Chemistry? Yuck. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Keep healing! Let us know if we can help. | ||
| Etennuly |
Thank you for posting your story. I wish you the best of recoveries. You are a great reminder to get check ups, even though yours would not have shown up on any tests.  | ||
| Ulywife |
Best of luck on a full recovery. My sister has had 4 strokes, she's only 43. Each time, we have weeks of rehab in which they have been able to get her back where she was before having the stroke. Rehab has come a long way in helping with Stroke recovery. Try and be patient and follow rehabs instructions. FYI - an easy quick test to determine if someone has had a stroke. 1. "Show me your teeth." The "smile test" is used to check for one-sided facial weakness -- a classic sign of stroke. 2. Ask patients to close their eyes and raise their arms. Stroke patients usually cannot raise both arms to the same height, a sign of arm weakness. 3. Repeat a simple sentence to check for slurring of speech, which is another classic sign of stroke. "Don't cry over spilled milk." | ||
| Two_seasons |
Strokes are not predictable, nor can they be stopped while in progress. Wishing you a speedy recovery. | ||
| Whatever |
That really sucks. I appreciate you posting. I say if you have no health, you know that health is everything. Hope you make a full recovery... and, next time, please, just dial 911! | ||
| Blake |
Interesting... http://stroke.about.com/od/causesofstroke/a/Dissec tion.htm | ||
| Kenm123t |
Hope you heal quickly and fully your on the prayer list. We are haveing a bad season with Too many Badweb folks having health problems. Ask for help if you need any thing Badweb people will come through. | ||
| Satori |
Harley, My prayers are with you! I wish you a speedy recovery! Harley, I can sincerly say I understand what you are going through. You see in March 2010, I had 3 strokes. Spent 21 days in the hospital. Not fun. also 5 more in my spleen while I was in. Lotsa Morphine. Still not fun Mine was caused by endocarditis, a bacterial infection, I was left with a slightly weak heart valve, a bit of numbness in my outer thighs, and a spleen 1/3 smaller. Now that doesn't sound so good, but its miles from where I was at when I left the hospital. I was in serious pain for months from my spleen, my legs felt like they had 20 lb hams hanging from each thigh, and hurt like hell from the slightest touch to them, had horible balance and weak left side. My point? do everything the doc's and therapists tell you to. People look at me now and say really you had a stroke? Really? I dont have a weak side, My face isnt lopsided, I dont have any pain in my legs, and I Talk normal, write normal, and smile etc just like I did. Focus on your recovery, and it will get better. If you ever want to talk, get a hold of me. I wish you the best. | ||
| Harleyms |
Blake...that's what my wife was using to explain what my problem is. I went to PT today and they did some tests....17 seconds for me to do a puzzle with the left hand and 24 to do the same puzzle with the right...bad thing is I'm right handed. I am close to the same strength both sided and was told should be stronger on the right I wanted to have this swingarm polished up and installed lol | ||
| Blake |
>>> that's what my wife was using to explain what my problem is Then you are way ahead of the rest of us. If mine were to take that task on, the list of web sites would fill this page!  | ||
| Speedfreaks101 |
My wife had a stroke at the ripe old age of 21. It took her a while to recover but the younger you are the more resilient you are. She is 34 now and in better health than she was then. Three things I will tell you: -Ask questions! You need to know, it's your life - It is hard for us to see progress in therapy. It is like a puppy. They start at five lbs. then the next month they are ten then fifteen. They are growing at the same rate but it is more difficult to see the change once they get close to their normal. -Its good to have faith in your doctor, but 2nd & 3rd opinions are good. Just because the first fella could not find the cause of the hole in the the upper radiator hose does not mean the next will not- mechanics are not created equal. | ||
| 7873jake |
Harley, A good friend of mine about two years ago went through the same situation while out hunting (and coincidentally, is about your age). A talented cabinet maker and exceptional craftsman, he was out of commission for about nine months. He is back in the shop and building stuff on a daily basis and has been back on the job for a little over a year. Aside from a little numbness in a couple of fingers, he says he feels as normal, strong and capable as he did before the stroke. He will readily tell any one that asks that attitude was the biggest contributor to his recovery (that and the fact that he is still young). He has read through this thread and says, among other things, that your times in the PT/OT puzzles is good but to keep at it and you will see that gap close between left and right. His words were "in time, in time". Stay strong and focused, persistent and faithful to your recovery and thanks for sharing. And Godspeed in your rehab Jake | ||
| Sidepipe79 |
Harley, I am sorry to hear about you Stroke but i am happy that i got to read this post. More-so i am happy that you were able to post it yourself. Strokes are scary and it is great that you are recovering relatively well. Ill keep you in my thoughts. | ||
| Geedee |
How have you been the last couple of weeks Harley? Hope you're doing OK. You got that swingarm polished up yet? Regards, Gary | ||
| Harleyms |
Doing okay Gary. I've got an appointment on Friday to see my general practitioner and hopefully she'll tell me I'm safe to drive again, it's boring at my place lol. I have a distinct lack of fine motor skills in my right hand (I'm right handed) but they tell me it should get better....I'm just glad to be vertical and breathing even if I do have tremors on the right side some  and no to the swingarm hah | ||
| Swampy |
Sorry to hear about that, hope you heal fast. Have they figured why you had the stroke? I had a very miserable ex-wife that had a stroke attributed to a heart PFO, the flap of skin between the two upper chambers had never sealed and possibly allowed a clot to pass directly to the brain. The PFO was fixed. She was completely recovered from the stroke and totally unthankful and unwilling to live a thankful life to the fullest, so I left her(abandonded her) afraid that lighting was going to strike twice. Recover well, push yourself, suprise your doctors and be thankful. | ||
| Geedee |
That's good to hear. Get that right hand typing on the keyboard to Badweb every day, that'll help those motor skills. Riding season is just 'round the corner for you guys. The S1 is waiting  and Doc is going to give you the OK tomorrow for sure. Chin up, Gary | ||
| Jon |
Thanks for sharing. I do not know you but was very interested in your account of things. Gods grace to you. It could have been so much worse. I think you will be fine and ride again. I sure hope so. | ||
| Elsinore74 |
Glad you're still with us to share your story. Best wishes on your journey back to 100%! Can't think of a better goal than riding a motorcycle. Keep up the great attitude, and keep looking forward. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
"Its good to have faith in your doctor, but 2nd & 3rd opinions are good. Just because the first fella could not find the cause of the hole in the the upper radiator hose does not mean the next will not- mechanics are not created equal." There's a reason they call it "practicing" medicine. +1000 on keeping up a good attitude. Heal quick and please keep us posted. B. | ||
| Maddiemsu |
Here's some good inspiration for you. Take your time and get better. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaab-the-dagger/act -sportsmanship-highlights-player-return-stroke-143 023520.html | ||
| Rick_a |
Glad you're ok and I hope you make a full recovery. |
