One year ago this morning I walked downstairs and heard a very quiet plea for help. When I turned the corner into the kitchen and looked down the short flight of stairs into the lower level I saw MJM sprawled on the floor, unable to stand.
One year ago today he was laying in a bed in the ICU at St Anthony's here in Lakewood, an IV full of a liquid clot buster inserted into his arm, unable to stand much less walk, his speech nearly unintelligible.
He had suffered an ischemic stroke.
Ischemic strokes account for 87% of all strokes (hemorrhagic strokes are the other 13%). Ischemic strokes are caused primarily by high blood pressure with several other risk factors at play, including high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and atrial fibrillation.
Treatment for strokes today is incredible. MJM has not made a full recovery (his left field vision is pretty much gone), but he can walk unaided, use his left arm and hand at about 85%, and can speak clearly - heck, he speaks better now than he did before the stroke.
However...that stroke could have been prevented if only...
If only MJM had annual physicals (he hadn't seen a Doctor for nearly 30 years before he ended up in St Anthony's). If only he took better care of his body (MJM was a notorious couch potato). If only he had a better diet (living on fast food and soda is not a healthy diet).
There are a few other things he would have been better off avoiding, but his former vices are his business so I won't divulge.
Today is a great day for MJM to celebrate life, and a few other friends and I made sure of it.
The only other thing to mention regarding strokes is that, if you haven't had a physical in awhile get one scheduled soon.
The life you save may be your own.
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