Subscriber Comments for
Stroke Story

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 46580	2009-11-21 01:57 PM
Thank you for this, for sharing your story. My closest friend died suddenly of a stroke a couple of weeks ago and other friends have suffered them, more severely than apparently yours but less than your brother's. It does indeed put things into a different focus and makes, for instance, seeing the most ordinary of flowers something rare and special. Good luck to him and good thoughts. Again, thanks; it's a very scary story and lucky those of us who have health insurance and caring families.
JOHN WILEY	2009-11-21 03:24 PM
Dave, we're so lucky you're still with us and that you've helped to get the word out about this! Our family and closest friends have also had strokes, so your story is all the more powerful for us. Back when there was no cure or even helpful treatment, this condition was called a "stroke of the hand of God." I'm so glad we now have TPA and all the other new drugs and treatments for both major types of stroke. When mom had hers, she called it a stroke of luck because of how it deepened her appreciation of life and love. As the holiday approaches, I give thanks that instead of a fond memory you are a lively and thriving contributor to our community - and that I've had the chance to fly with you.
PATRICK	2009-11-21 06:58 PM
Thanks, David!
TMO	2009-11-22 07:39 AM
Thanks Dave. Oddly enough, your stroke has made the world a better place for a lot of people. Thanks for all your work.
NELLS07	2009-11-22 09:53 AM
Thanks for sharing your experience David! My dad had several TIAs and managed to recover from all of them, although the recovery time took longer and longer after each stroke. Time really is of the essence! And that Golden Hour they talk about in ER medicine is no joke with the onset of a stroke! Really makes you want to carry your cell phone at all times just in case! I hope your brother continues to recover and regain more function. Thanks again!
BOOKLADY	2009-11-22 10:20 AM
David, thank you for sharing both your story and your brother’s. We become very complacent and always think this will happen to someone else. I will keep your brother in my thoughts and hope that he is able to make the fullest possible recovery. I am so please that you are doing so well today, I always enjoy your posts here. Also, for those of you that don’t know, David has a wonderful book out with Hugh Margarum called WILDFLOWERS OF THE SANTA BARBARA FOOTHILLS. It came out at about the same time he had his stroke.
COMMENT 46638	2009-11-22 10:27 AM
Best wishes to you and your brother for successful recoveries. Thank you for sharing your stories.
COMMENT 46651	2009-11-22 01:22 PM
David and all interested parties: Be sure to check out the great book by Jill Bolte Taylor MY STROKE OF INSIGHT.
KNITALIFE	2009-11-22 02:18 PM
Thank you for sharing this -- it is so easy sometimes for me to fall into the mindset that "it can't happen to me." My brother recently sent me an email about detecting if someone is experiencing a stroke. It said you can do three things: 1. Ask the person to smile 2. Have them raise both their arms over their head 3. Say a simple sentence. The email goes on to say that if the person can't do any of these three things, to call 911 because it is likely a stroke. Just thought I'd pass it on.
KNITALIFE	2009-11-22 02:19 PM
That third item is that you have the person say a simple sentence!
POWDRELL	2009-11-22 02:21 PM
Thank you all for the good wishes for Earle. This Thanksgiving, would you all do me a little favor? Hug your loved ones just a little bit tighter and for just a little bit longer. Thank you, David
COMMENT 46660	2009-11-22 03:14 PM
David, We all do have so many things to be thankful for. Yours is a very moving story, thank you for sharing. I will hold good thoughts for your brother, it sounds like he has a long road ahead of him. I'd have to say, you are still, very much on top of your game! Love all your photos etc. One question, when did you have the blindness? Did it occur the day of your stroke? I'm just curious.
COMMENT 46663	2009-11-22 03:43 PM
Thanks for your story of loss, and recovery. Your insights are clear. Obviously your high level of cognition was not affected. We're glad you're around and a blessing to those who know you. Peter
COMMENT 46667	2009-11-22 05:33 PM
Earle is in my thoughts. I hope he has a speedy recovery. Ram Das has a very good documentary out called "Fierce Grace". It chronicles his life but focuses on his stroke.
POWDRELL	2009-11-22 07:24 PM
If anyone's interested in learning more about strokes, Ram Das' documentary really good, as Dirtgirl mentioned. It was the first thing I saw after my stroke. Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuronatomist who had a stroke, presented an incredible speech in Monterey last year. Catch it on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyyjU8fzEYU The Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation was fortunate to have her speak in Santa Barbara recently. Jill's book, My Stroke of Insight, is powerful. Finally, Kate Adamson and her book, "Paralyzed But Not Powerless" are what saved Earle's life. David
AKIMBO	2009-11-22 10:25 PM
Impossible to read this and not offer appreciation and healing wishes...many thanks, and speedy, lasting recovery for your brother and yourself!
POWDRELL	2009-11-22 10:33 PM
Comment #46663, I had my first blind eye episode about 12 years ago. Walking down the street, my right eye went blind. No pain, it lasted about 20 minutes. Called my doctor who determined it was in the migraine family. Had 7 more episodes before my full blown stroke on November 29, 2004. My AVM required brain surgery May 5, 2005. I'm back to 110% of where I was before my stroke; very fortunate, indeed. Slight numbness on my right side and my balance is tweaked a bit, but no whining here. David
COMMENT 46712	2009-11-23 09:05 AM
Thanks for passing along your story and things to watch for.
COMMENT 46748	2009-11-23 11:51 AM
think FAST f weakness on one side of face a weakness or numbness in one arm s speech is slurred t note time of first symptoms, call 911 American Red Cross

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