So I had a stroke
6 years ago
So uh. Yeah. A couple weeks ago I had an amazing opportunity to attend a three day scientific workshop in Shanghai, China. The first two days were fantastic. On the third day I had a stroke and was found mid-morning by my colleagues, then taken by paramedics to a local hospital before being transferred on to a neuro ICU where I spent the next week and a half being medicated and investigated before I was finally cleared for travel. A UK doctor provided by my travel insurance company escorted me home where I've been recovering since, surrounded by family. All things being equal I've been spectacularly lucky and am recovering very well, with the strongest lingering effects being fatigue (probably as much due to drug side effects and my time in the ICU as the stroke itself) and occasional slurred speech and fuzzyheadedness when tired which I think are slowly getting better. I'm stable, on medication, and waiting on a referral to go through so I can start being investigated by a UK-based neurology team to continue trying to figure out why I, as a 36-year-old in more or less perfect health, had a stroke. It's probably related mostly to the really long flight from London to Shanghai allowing a clot to form but they haven't found any damage in my heart, which often facilitates clots like that making their way to the brain. So there are some unanswered questions that I'd really like to answer before I (or my family) really feel comfy with me doing much more travelling.
But I'm home and I'm safe and that's the important stuff. For anybody who's interested in more of the details of my little adventure, including the really awesome bits before things took their turn for the worse, I've posted a big thread on my Twitter account with photos that you should be able to view whether you use Twitter or not: https://twitter.com/Doran_Eirok/sta.....58010927845376
But I'm home and I'm safe and that's the important stuff. For anybody who's interested in more of the details of my little adventure, including the really awesome bits before things took their turn for the worse, I've posted a big thread on my Twitter account with photos that you should be able to view whether you use Twitter or not: https://twitter.com/Doran_Eirok/sta.....58010927845376
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Thanks though, hon. I think I'm doing pretty well, but it has left me rather shaken up so I'm moving forward as best I can. *more hugs*
Nonetheless, if I mate Fate, I'm going to punch it straight in the kidney for this. You of all people should have only the greatest of things in life.
*giggle* You're a sweetie. *hugs really, really tight* I'm not sure anybody's ever offered to punch Fate in the kidneys on my behalf before. It means a lot. ;) <3
And hell yes I'd punch Fate - there are certain people in this world that are never deserving of anything bad, and I don't like Fate being a schoolyard bully. \*huffs* Gotta respect floof dragons for the rare, wonderful souls that they are. \*smiles and hugs tightly back*
And yeah, I'm eager to take things forward with the neurology team but leg thrombosis leading to an ischemic stroke, due to the 12 hour flight, is kind of seeming like the most likely cause to me at the moment, based on my admittedly poor knowledge. The scans found nothing wrong with my heart but a smaller roaming clot could've gotten to the brain via my lungs or something as I'm given to understand. So yeah, really hoping that future investigations will help me figure out how to prevent this ever happening again! Reeeeally don't need a repeat. o..o
Wishing you all the best for your recovery.
I know we haven't talked in ages, but I do still keep an eye on you. Sorry to hear that you had to go through this, and definitely glad to hear that you're feeling better. at least. Stay safe and take care of yourself, alright?
A neighbor had a stroke, he was a bit slow after and recovering for a long time. He's on the older side though. The most important thing is to recognize the signs before a stroke happens and immediately call for help any way you can, even if its to dial emergency numbers (USA 911) before you are incapacitated.
I myself sit for long periods of time daily, though I do get up and go out to exercise on occasion sorta slightly. I'm probably high risk, who knows. No one would even find me within a day or more.
My own career is largely computer-based so I've got similar concerns, though I try to balance it with plenty of walking too and the 12 hour flight to Shanghai was definitely unprecedented for me!
With a technical career you would have far more risk to function as there's a lot more small bits of information you could lose that'd affect you. Though re-learning the lost bits shouldn't be an issue at all.
Now you can take that joke I gave and use it on friends occasionally. xP
"Some stroke risk factors, such as gender, age and family history, can't be controlled.
Lifestyle factors that increase your risk of stroke include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, high blood cholesterol levels, heavy drinking, high salt and high fat diet and lack of exercise."
So which of those apply to you on life style?