Stroke Awareness Month

"He had a massive stroke. He died with his tie on. Do you think that could be our generation's equivalent of that old saying about dying with your boots on?"

-Stephen King-

"Flying back from New York, the flight attendant said 'God, I wished you were here yesterday, we had a stroke on the plane. I said, if I have a stroke on a plane, I hope the pretend doctor isn't the one on the plane. I want a real doctor."

-Anthony Edwards-


On June 4th of this year, it will be seven years since a man of only 42 years of age suffered a major stroke while teaching, of all things, a CPR class.  Funny, right?  He had actually just finished  presenting a series of scenarios to his class where he actually acted out different types of symptoms for different maladies,  asking his class members to identify the probable cause of said symptoms. It was a fun exercise and everyone did exceptionally well.

Upon completion of the previous exercise, lunch was delivered and everyone began to eat.  The instructor, our stroke victim, had ordered a California Club from Jason's Deli.  Surely you've had one.  They are absolutely phenomenal and are laced with avocado.   As the instructor took his second bite, he was overcome with a very distinct and clear sensation of perfect double vision.  Not blurred vision.  As he describes it, there was a crystal view of everything and everyone in twos.  The man had suffered from Classic Migraine most of his life and dismissed it as the probable onslaught of a migraine. 

Two things happened next.  First, one of the class members asked him if he was ok and if this was "a drill".  Next, the young instructor regained consciousness on the floor, feet elevated and hooked to oxygen.  Coming through the door were paramedics who began to assess our patient's condition.  Upon asking how long he had been unconcious, the instructor was told it had been a period of about five minutes.  Odd.  Here one minute, back the next with nothing in between.  The paramedics finished their assessment and encouraged our stubborn patient to go to the hospital, but he refused.  He eventually relented and was enroute to a local hospital when he heard the paramedics call medical control to determine the closest "stroke center"

This story can go on forever, but in short form, upon arrival at a large Dallas hospital, our patient who was now completely paralyzed on one side was told he had suffered a CVA or Stroke and was a candidate for a clot-busting medication.  Again in stubborn denial, the man refused the treatment, not once, but twice!  Surely he had misunderstood.  With some coaxing, the man eventually accepted his treatment option and within an hour had regained full use of his left side with very little or no deficit.  By that evening, there were no signs of stroke save one small infarct in his brain left dead by lack of oxygen.  It was a miracle recovery from a life-threatening clot.  After 5 days in the hospital and hundreds of tests, the man was released and for all practical purposes, had completely recovered.

The man in this story is me, plain ole Matt Leatherwood.  At 42 years old, I suffered a massive and life threatening stroke caused by a clot to my brain.  No warning, no signs, no clue.  The cause was later determined and corrected so I am truly cured.  At one point my brain no longer recognized I did indeed have a "left side" so I had complete paralysis and facial droop, slurred speech, etc. etc.  Classic.  Due to the diligence of my well-trained class, sharp paramedics from Farmers Branch, Texas, and a top-notch medical staff at Presbyterian Hospital, I made a complete recovery free from any deficit.  A true miracle of modern medicine.

May is Stroke Awareness Month.  Visit the attached link to the American Stroke Association and familiarize yourself with the signs and symptoms of stroke.  There are clots as well as bleeds, but both need immediate attention for the victim to survive and recover.  I thank the universe every day for my miracle.  Many have not been so lucky and are confined to wheelchairs or have chronic deficits of one kind or anther.  Many stroke victims die.  Rapid recognition of the signs and immediate medical intervention is key.

Be a life saver.  Learn the signs of stroke and don't wait.  Don't be brave or stubborn.  Your life depends on it.  If you or someone you know exhibits signs of stroke, call 911 immediately.  If those before you hadn't been diligent in my treatment, I'd be typing this with one hand. 

Thank you!!!    http://www.americanstrokeassociation.org/