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They have released the excellent ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
elisem from the hospital, and more than that, she has posted.
She did, in fact, have a stroke. However, both the CAT scan and the MRI show no residual damage. This is amazingly good news.
The reason why? Very rapid treatment (in specific, a drug called TPA, which to be maximally effective, needs to be given within quickly after the onset of symptoms (a couple of hours). And before that, they have to get you to the hospital, do checks to make sure it isn't something else, and so on.) It breaks up the clot, and does it fast enough that if you are fortunate, there may be no lasting damage. (It is wonderful living in the future, but we have to actually use the nifty technology for it to work.)
The PSA: If you, someone you love, or someone you just happening to be wandering by, are having signs of a stroke, and you're not sure if you should call 911... call.
More at Elise's journal over here: http://elisem.livejournal.com/1661214.html
And more on symptoms of stroke and some of the stuff behind why the rapid treatment works over here: http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/010240.html .
Signs and symptoms
The most basic bit of info from that link above is:
"Here are the rock-bottom signs and symptoms of stroke:
* Sudden onset weakness, numbness, or tingling, particularly one-sided.
* Facial droop, particularly one-sided.
* Slurred speech, or aphasia, or suddenly using inappropriate words.
* Unexplained blurred vision, particularly one-sided.
* “The worst headache of my life.” (Thunderclap headache.)"
(And if you want a quick commentary from Teresa as to what made her certain calling was absolutely the thing, http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/012798.html is also useful, in that way where you wish that no one else ever again needed to have that moment of realisation.)
[post public on Dreamwidth: feel free to link widely, if you wish, or repost the relevant bits]
elisem from the hospital, and more than that, she has posted. She did, in fact, have a stroke. However, both the CAT scan and the MRI show no residual damage. This is amazingly good news.
The reason why? Very rapid treatment (in specific, a drug called TPA, which to be maximally effective, needs to be given within quickly after the onset of symptoms (a couple of hours). And before that, they have to get you to the hospital, do checks to make sure it isn't something else, and so on.) It breaks up the clot, and does it fast enough that if you are fortunate, there may be no lasting damage. (It is wonderful living in the future, but we have to actually use the nifty technology for it to work.)
The PSA: If you, someone you love, or someone you just happening to be wandering by, are having signs of a stroke, and you're not sure if you should call 911... call.
More at Elise's journal over here: http://elisem.livejournal.com/1661214.html
And more on symptoms of stroke and some of the stuff behind why the rapid treatment works over here: http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/010240.html .
Signs and symptoms
The most basic bit of info from that link above is:
"Here are the rock-bottom signs and symptoms of stroke:
* Sudden onset weakness, numbness, or tingling, particularly one-sided.
* Facial droop, particularly one-sided.
* Slurred speech, or aphasia, or suddenly using inappropriate words.
* Unexplained blurred vision, particularly one-sided.
* “The worst headache of my life.” (Thunderclap headache.)"
(And if you want a quick commentary from Teresa as to what made her certain calling was absolutely the thing, http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/012798.html is also useful, in that way where you wish that no one else ever again needed to have that moment of realisation.)
[post public on Dreamwidth: feel free to link widely, if you wish, or repost the relevant bits]
