I had a Stroke yesterday.

[pkveazey]

Here's some advice that may or may not sit well with people. If you take a road trip, take someone else along with you. Saturday, I drove up to The Valley of Virginia to see an old friend. Cooter from the Dukes of Hazard, about 150 miles up and 150 miles back. I was doing fine until, on the way home, I was passing Richmond International Airport on the interstate highway and my left arm and leg went spaz on me. I pulled to the shoulder and called 911. I told the dispatcher that I thought I was having a Stroke and needed EMT's. OK, they took me to the hospital and I came through it OK. It wasn't a really serious stroke but it was a stroke none the less. If I had someone with me, I wouldn't have had to leave my car there. They could have driven it home for me. However, it cost $250 to get the car back. Also, if you have a rider, they might be able to get you to the hospital quicker because there would be no wait for the EMT's. I'm OK now, the Hospital ran a whole bunch of tests on me. CT Scan, MRI Scan, Blood tests, Echo Cardiogram, and all the usual function tests. Fortunately, after about 6 hours, the repeating symptoms stopped coming and going. They made me stay overnight and it took until 5 PM the next day for me to be released. They did a magnificent job of explaining, in medical terms, what had happened to me. Honestly, this is pretty much what they said. You have a small problem with some arteries in the right side of your brain but you'll be OK. Gee, thanks for that in depth medical explanation. Fortunately, I called my personal Doctor, who is a dear friend, and he went off with a list of tests that he told me to have them run. Fortunately, they actually did all those tests, so I didn't have to tell them. I'm Mr. Independent and don't think twice about going solo. Never again. Get a copilot or stay home. To add insult to injury, I had my usual everyday carry in my fanny pack and I told the EMT's to make sure that the Hospital security took possession so I wouldn't be jailed for carrying a firearm into a hospital. Instead of holding it until I was released, they turned it over to the VCU police. Now I have to drive back to Richmond and jump through a bunch of hoops to retrieve my firearm. Get a copilot and avoid the hassle that I'm going to have to go through.

[JohnyMac]

OMG!

1) I am glad you are okay...Well relatively okay.
2) Yes all good advise for sure as we get more mature. It is also nice to have a copilot so you have someone to chat with or listen to music with.
3) Now starts the probing and prodding by the doctors. Do what they say BUT only if you agree with their advise.
4) If you need anything just reach out and say so. Don't be a martyr we have a a whole pose of folks around you from UP. Heck you are only about a 6/7-hour drive from me to you too.

 

[zanedclark]

Glad you're OK PK.  Sound wisdom.  zane

[Jackalope]

Thank you for the story, PK. I?m glad it wasn?t too severe. Look at the bright side of the event, it gives you an opportunity to help others learn.

[Nemo]

Dayum, hope all goes well and never happens again.

Were you going to Sperryville?  IIRC he is a bit south of where that meets 211 and had a shop/museum/tourist spot/car show place there.

Used to live about 25 miles southeast of there, just down 522 a ways.

Nemo

[pkveazey]

Thank you all for your kind comments. There will be no more road trips for me without a ride along. Nemo: Ben has gone bigtime. He closed the Cooter's Garage in Sperryville and built a huge place about a mile west of the Shenendoah River in between New Market and Luray. He also had one in Gatlinburg but the last time I was up there I didn't see it. I'm in pickle about these meds the Hospital Doctor ordered for me. I made it very clear that I have always had thin blood and that my LDL Cholesterol has always been perfect. Well......... He wants me to take baby Aspirin, a Statin, and Plavix. That's like telling someone that has a half flat tire to let more air out. I'm not taking anything until I talk to my Doctor.

[Hope]

PK, I?m so thankful that you survived the event and you?re able to share with us. It is great that you have a personal doctor that is a friend and you trust, very wise to hold off on meds until you figure it out with your doctor. I?ve never thought about having a medical emergency while alone on a road trip, many things to process. It was unfortunate that the security department didn?t hold the firearm for you, hope it isn?t a hassle to get it back.

[pkveazey]

HOPE: I did not want to drive 50 miles up to Richmond to retrieve my firearm and magazines but the sooner you go after them the less hassle you have getting them back. Yep. I had to drive up there alone and while I don't feel concerned about a 15-to-20-mile drive, I was really concerned about 100 miles round trip. Once I got there, it was like getting into Fort Knox and when I finally got into the building, I only got to go about 15 feet into a lobby area where they finally brought me my property. They were slow but they actually were pleasant and helpful. Hmmm..... I'm 80 and there was no place to sit in the antechamber/alcove, while waiting. I got tired of standing and sat on a metal drug drop off cabinet until they finally brought my stuff. I'm feeling fairly normal but still weak. I hadn't eaten all day and by the time I got halfway home and got to a restraunt that I like, it was about 4 PM. Not a fun day but at least I got what I wanted accomplished.

[grizz]

Glad you're ok!!

When I had mine it was a very small one, it didnt affect me the same as it did you. I was disoriented and confused, little dizzy, vomiting, high BP with low heart rate and it was 10ish hours later before I got my senses back enough to realize I should have called 911. When I did call she told me I probably had a stroke and its way too late for them to do anything about it. A few days later I had similar symptoms and called 911 for a ride to the ER. The ER docs treated me for a headache and didnt care about the previous event, I was PISSED!!!

Now its months later and as far as I know, Im fine but I pay attention to everything concerning my body and mind. If I go to the ER again I will not accept lazy doctors who are more interested in their phones than the patient in front of them

My point is that not all strokes present the same way, pay attention to your mind and body and dont be afraid to call 911.

I also carry a garmin GPS with SOS button

[Hope]

PK,

This ?tough old bird? (his words) posted a video today, exploring the topic of being alone when you get hurt, mentions stroke at the end. I thought of your post and just wanted to share. https://youtu.be/UC7tR39tJz0

[Deathstyle]

Glad you?re okay PK!






I recommend people research the hospitals of the AO they?ll be in as well. I was hit by a car on the 10th while out for a walk and they took me to the worst hospital. I worked at a trauma center and understand patients can be horrible and wear down staffs bedside manner but this places is atrocious. It has the reputation. However one day we may find ourselves in an area where we do not know the reputations of the hospitals in the area and choose to go to a bad one simply because it was nearby.

[Sir John Honeybucket]

After a stroke, it is amazing what the brain can 'rewire' to make the body work again.  I had a stroke over a decade ago, not huge but it did impact my speech and some of my right side.  In the months following, much of these abilities returned.  It might require some pushing the comfort zone, but 'brains are smart' and it's amazing how much they can and will repair themselves, , but sometimes we must insist that they do it by repeatedly working with the damaged side, even when we don't want to.

Best of health and healing for you.

Sir John Honeybucket