...or, "How to Have a Stroke Without That Twisty Arm Thing."
It's been a really interesting few days.
It started Tuesday afternoon when I started seeing spots, like I'd been looking up at the sun. Not a lot of suns in my office, though. I went out for a walk and it cleared up. That night at home I got a killer headache and went to bed around 8, very unusual for me. Both the bedtime and the headache; I rarely get headacahes at all.
Wednesday at work I started getting blurry vision and suddenly, in the middle of writing an e-mail, I couldn't type. Couldn't string together words, couldn't spell anything. I rewrote the same sentence six times (badly) before banging the keyboard and leaving. Outside I started hyperventilating. I called Teres, who told me to get to the ER. By that point I wasn't up to driving, Teres called a friend of ours that works with me and she came out, found me, and took me to emergency.
By the time I got there, I couldn't recite my SS number or birthday. After that, I'm really fuzzy. I know I got an IV but I don't remember it. Ditto for my morphine. I don't remember much of the next 12 hours, in fact; I remember Teres showing up pretty early and my kids coming by later that night. Teres was trying to convince the ER doctor that I wasn't on drugs and that I had been acting confused. I don't remember much of this since earlier Teres had harassed a nurse into calling the doctor and providing me with morphine. He kept acting like he was going to make me leave before Teres and her brother Rodger essentially dragged him in and made him examine me. He admitted me pretty soon after that.
My youngest was a bit freaked out as he's never seen me... well, anything besides calm or laughing, really. I gather I wasn't at my best. My oldest, Tony, stayed all night and most of the morning Thursday, keeping Teres company and cracking jokes with me. ("Hey, if they have to operate on your head, at least they won't have to shave much!")
They gave me a CT scan that night and followed it up the next day with an MRI, an ultrasound, an EEG, a EKG, bloodwork, and an MRA (an MRI that's aimed at your neck). I talked to about 6 different doctors at various times.
The upshot seems to be that I had plaque in my carotid artery, restricting the bloodflow to my brain and causing stroke-like symptoms but without the crippling aftereffects. If you're going to have a stroke, that's the way to do it, I guess. According to the docs my buildup isn't dangerous enough at the moment to make operating a worthwhile risk, but I'll be going to my doctor next week to follow up. And I have to take an aspirin every day now. They even gave me a prescription for aspirin.
Meanwhile, after the pain part calmed down, we got to enjoy the wonders of a busy ER in Daytona Beach during Spring Break. Lots of homeless, a couple of Breakers who walked out in front of a car and seemed peeved about it ("Look! I can move my head! Can we go home?" "Stop that, you want to end up like Chris Reeve?"), an old lady that fell on the city bus and kept asking about insurance and how to sue them, the guy I ultimately shared a room with who has bleeding in his brain and needed constant morphine, although his doctors didn't seem to agree, and the guy in the room next to us who was a convict who broke his back and had a police guard checking through his food even though his door was open and we could see him all the time. Also got an excellent example of why our hospital needs to expand: I was in emergency for 32 hours before I got a room, and then I was discharged the next day. Nurses were coming back in on shift and saying, "Are you still here?"
All the way through this Teres stayed by me. She didn't sleep, not until 35 hours later when I had a room and we could rest. And then the nurse on that floor made her leave, even though several nurses had come and gone and smiled at her. Ah, well. She needed the rest. She went home, slept a few hours, showered, and grabbed some stuff to bring back this morning. We spent the day today making fun of television and laughing at, pretty much, everything, before I finally got released. I am still in awe of how she kept upright and joking the whole time.
She said now I can be the grownup and she's going to go sleep for a week, and I think she deserves it. All I know is that she is the only person on the planet that could get me through three days of hell and keep both of us laughing most of the time.
And that was my week. How was yours?
[ June 06, 2006, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: Chris Bridges ]
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
I'm glad you're okay.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Chris, say it with me:
"Cheese is not a meal."
Glad you're all right.
Posted by signal (Member # 6828) on :
Glad to hear that you're ok and that your family got through it ok as well.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Chris!
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Actually, I don't know what my cholesterol is. I'm going to get it tested next week. I was glad to find out that my blood pressure, heartrate, temperature, and the various scans and peeks at my heart were all perfect.
Posted by Anti-Chris (Member # 4452) on :
Curses, foiled again!
Glad to hear you are ok, dude. Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
By the way, here's a picture of Teres I drew on a napkin while she was doing crossword puzzles. Partly I drew it because I love drawing Teresa, and partly I drew it because I wanted to make sure I still could.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I'm glad you're okay.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
How scary!
I'm glad you're okay.
-pH
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I agree with everyone else. but that you're ok!
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Glad you're doing better. TAKE YOUR ASPRIN!
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
Wow, Chris, glad you came through that OK. And the drawing is really sweet. The love shows through.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Yikes. Yikes, yikes yikes!
I'm glad you're doing better, and it sounds like Teres is wonderful.
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
Yikes indeed!
Take it easy and stay well. I'm glad you are ok.
And I like the picture of Teres. I agree with uprooted - you can see the love. Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Yikes ahoy! Glad you're feeling better, and yep, that sort of thing ain't good when you're going through it.
Other than aspirin, is there a treatment plan? Yeah, I'm being nosy, mostly cuz I'm just the curious sort. Feel even betterer soon!
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Holy crap Chris! I'm so glad you're okay.
Posted by beverly (Member # 6246) on :
Oy! So I guess that was the "good" version of a stroke.
Take care of yourself! Stay healthy.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Wow, Chris, I am so glad you are OK! I know how it feels. I mean, I really do! The stroke-feeling, the long ER wait, the intense support and love from your spouse. Everything. It gives me chills of horror and joy at the same time.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Other than aspirin, is there a treatment plan?
I'm pretty curious about that my ownself... Next week I'll be going to my regular doctor and see what he has to say about it.
Generally, if the patient's arteries are closed 70% or more, they would operate. 50-69%, with symptoms popping up, they would also operate. Anything under that -- which is apparently where I am -- they recommend antiaggregants (aspirin, etc) and diet modification to improve the cholesterol.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
(((Chris)))
(((Teres)))
I'm glad you are okay. Take care of yourself. The world needs you.
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Oh my goodness Chris, how scary! You'll be in my prayers, Hon. I'm glad things are somewhat positive, but still what a terrible experience for you, Teres, and the kids.
(((Chris and family)))
Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
Eep!
Eeepity eep eep eep!
Glad you're OK, but that's a heck of a way to get material for a new column...
Posted by kwsni (Member # 1831) on :
Glad you're ok, Chris.
Ni!
Posted by larisse (Member # 2221) on :
{{{Chris and family}}}
I am so glad you are okay. Glad you listened to the warning signs and your wife. Glad she and your brother-in-law pushed the doctor. Take care of yourself and that wonderful wife and kids of yours.
Call me a bit selfish, but I would definitely miss reading your columns for whatever reason.
Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :
Glad to hear you're okay and have such wonderful support around you.
Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :
Chris, my dad had two or three mini strokes when I was ... under school age. He had uncontrolled HBP, but never had a recurrence after he went on treatment. It really scared the family (except for me - I was oblivious "Daddy has an eye patch? Is he a pirate now?")
I'm glad you're okay and sorry you guys went through this. ~~~~(((Chris and Family)))~~~
Posted by Nato (Member # 1448) on :
This thread deserves more
I'm glad you're okay, Chris!
I wonder if EDTA would help...
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote:Originally posted by Chris Bridges: Other than aspirin, is there a treatment plan?
I'm pretty curious about that my ownself... Next week I'll be going to my regular doctor and see what he has to say about it.
Generally, if the patient's arteries are closed 70% or more, they would operate. 50-69%, with symptoms popping up, they would also operate. Anything under that -- which is apparently where I am -- they recommend antiaggregants (aspirin, etc) and diet modification to improve the cholesterol.
Ah, thanks for clarifying. It sounds to me as though you got the warning shot, which is a good thing since you can now fix things before permanent damage happens, even as miserable as the warning shot was.
Good luck! Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
Chris, I'm so so so glad you're ok.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Wow Chris! That is really scary. I'm so thankful it turned out okay for you.
I can't say I fully understand your doctor's diagnosis (with your symptoms being that severe for a short period of time), but hopefully this aspirin trick and diet will clear everything out for you.
Seems like I'm known younger and younger people lately that have had full strokes. Perhaps we all should take the possibility a little more seriously as we age...
Farmgirl
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
You're right, if you're going to have a stroke, that's the way to do it... but still... Posted by Goody Scrivener (Member # 6742) on :
Okay, I've already had one death this week in another group. I hereby forbid any further serious Hatrack incidents!!!!!
Seriously, Chris, I'm very relieved that this turned out to be the warning shot, as quid put it, and that you're still here with us. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a positive outcome from next week's doctor's appointment.
Someone really needs to develop a non-invasive treatment that will break up that arterial plaque...
Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
Oooh, that just gave me a shiver. I'm so glad you're home and doing ok. (((Bridges family)))
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
How frightening! I'm glad you're OK, and also that you have Teres to get you through this.
Posted by Lalo (Member # 3772) on :
Good lord. Be okay, dude.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Holy Moses!
So when should we expect the new lean, mean article writing machine to emerge?
Posted by hansenj (Member # 4034) on :
That's so scary! Glad you're home safe!
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Good grief, Chris! I'm so glad you are okay now. How frightening. Posted by Jaiden (Member # 2099) on :
*is happy you're okay*
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Good golly, Chris. That sounds scary and awful. And a day and a night and another day in the emergency department sounds hellish, too. I wish you a full and speedy recovery.
quote:Originally posted by Goody Scrivener: Someone really needs to develop a non-invasive treatment that will break up that arterial plaque...
But you'd want to be sure that any broken-up arterial plaque doesn't travel upstream, causing further damage.
Posted by Ela (Member # 1365) on :
Glad you are okay, Chris. Please take care of yourself.
Posted by Evie3217 (Member # 5426) on :
I agree with all the setiments here. I worried, but glad that you're okay. And don't forget to take your asprin! Posted by Shigosei (Member # 3831) on :
Wow...scary stuff. I'm glad you had the non-damaging kind of stroke. Take care of yourself, and good luck with the aspirin and any other treatments.
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
(((Chris)))
Posted by Rakeesh (Member # 2001) on :
Holy crap! Wow...I'm very glad to hear you're alright, relatively speaking:) Your wife sounds awesome. You musta been pretty darn good in a past life, because I can tell you you're too much of a smartass to merit such a stellar lady in this one
And I think someone should point out, a la Snape, that serious illness will not excuse lack of column!
(Seriously man, harrowing time. I'm very glad you're OK. *high-five* on that)
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
OMG! I am so very glad you're okay and I will be think about you and praying for you and Teresa and the boys.
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
I'm glad you're okay!
quote: I had plaque in my carotid artery
I definately read that as "plague" and was very confused for a few minutes... Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
My word! Glad that this was caught, there are things you can do to prevent a reoccurence, and really glad you had such wonderful support -- especially since the hospital sounded like it was way overwhelmed and filled past capacity.
Take care -- you and your family!
Posted by ReikoDemosthenes (Member # 6218) on :
Blimey, I'm glad you're all right! Here's hoping this is over and done with ASAP
Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :
What a scare! Glad ou're okay, too!
Posted by DarkKnight (Member # 7536) on :
Chris, that story is startin' to damage my calm!! Please take care and I really hope you are feeling shiny very soon!!!
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
I am so glad that you are okay. We are all so lucky that it wasn't worse because you mean a great deal to this community.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Been a couple of weeks, near enough, and so far I've noticed little change at all. No more headaches, no dizziness, etc. I do get paranoid if I lay my left arm wrong and it starts to go to sleep, but otherwise...
Just got back my test results: my cholesterol and triglycerides are borderline high and high. High enough to modify my diet, not high enough to warrant medication. My cholesterol is 227 (should be under 200) and my trigylcerices are 211 (should be under 150, borderline high is under 199). I've been told to lose 10 lbs in 3 months, which is far better than I was expecting.
Since my 'sode I've been eating more salad and less fast food, and I've cut my sodas back to only with meals (Saturday night's Sprites notwithstanding). We shall see what happens...
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Take care of yourself! We need that weekly column!
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
I am glad that you are doing well. And yeah, what rivka said.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I was wary of the IV drip of Sprite on Sat., but I thought perhaps it was doctor prescribed so I said nothing....
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
So, got tested again and saw the doctor this morning, and here's where I'm at:
My total cholesterol, which was 227, and needs to be under 200, is now 159. My triglycerides, which were 211, and need to be under 150, are now 158. My HDL cholesterol (the good kind), which was 38, and needs to be over 40, is now 40.
My BP was 120 over 80. Didn't catch my heartrate or temperature but the nurse didn't shriek so I'm guessing all was well. My doctor told me I'd lost a pound a half since the last visit (in clear contradiction to what my bathroom scale has been telling me, but then last time the nurse had me take my shoes off and this time she didn't, so I'm assumign my shoes weigh 7 pounds) but that things were going well and to keep going. Also found out, through an ultrasound a few weeks ago, that I have a fatty liver (Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH) which is not a problem at the moment and whose treatment is... pretty much exactly what I'm doing anyway.
All in all I am extremely pleased, as I was afraid that after the dieting and (sigh) total abandonment of nondiet soft drinks my cholesterol would be higher or something and I'd have go vegetarian. Looks like I can continue as I have been, and start adding more exercise to bring the weight down.
Just keeping everyone in the loop.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Aaaawwwwwwwwwwwweeeesome!
I am so, so impressed, Chris.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Credit must go towards my anti-cholesterol med, which name I can't remember, as my diet hasn't changed drastically apart from more salads and the Cokes going away.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
quote:Also found out, through an ultrasound a few weeks ago, that I have a fatty liver (Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH)
So should we now call you NASH Bridges?
Congrats on the major improvements and great news, Chris. And see about getting some lighter shoes.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
That's good news Chris! Glad to hear it.
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
I am glad you are feeling better, and seem to be doing so well.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
Good to hear good news.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
So. It's been three years and a bit, I've changed my diet... slightly. Where am I?
I have lost 20 pounds, although I am still way over what I should be.
My total cholesterol, which was 227, and needs to be under 200, is now 151. My triglycerides, which were 211, and need to be under 150, are now 111. My HDL cholesterol (the good kind), which was 38, and needs to be over 40, is now 39. My LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) I didn't get the first time, but it needs to be under 100 and is now 90.
This was with cholesterol meds, and basically eating the same stuff I was before but in smaller portions, with as much of it replaced with cholesterol-friendly versions as possible.
Now to keep working on the weight thing.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*applauds*
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
Indeed. What great numbers.
Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
Way to go Chris!
Also bumping older threads is scary - I didn't notice that this was from 2006 and thought this was from this week Posted by ricree101 (Member # 7749) on :
quote:Originally posted by Alcon: Way to go Chris!
Also bumping older threads is scary - I didn't notice that this was from 2006 and thought this was from this week
Ditto, but I'm glad to hear that things are going ok.
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Take care of yourself! We need that weekly column!
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