Posted by SueW/Tn on 4/5/06 8:48am
Msg #111128

O/T but very near to my heart..

Sorry for this but I lost my brother 3 weeks ago due to a stroke. This is important information that could possibly save someone else's brother, sister, mom or dad...

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00pm, Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die. They en d up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.



It only takes a minute to read this...



A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.



RECOGNIZING A STROKE



Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps, STR . Read and Learn!



Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.



Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:



S *Ask the individual to SMILE.



T *Ask the person to TALK . to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE
(Coherently) (i.e. . . It is sunny out today)



R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.



{NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue... if the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke}



If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.



A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

Reply by cyndi_ca on 4/5/06 9:07am
Msg #111139

So sorry for your loss. I thank you for this post. The information is extremely valuable and I'm sure will help many. Thank you and this will go to everyone I know.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 4/5/06 9:07am
Msg #111140

I'm sorry for your loss.

I also got this some weeks ago at work, excellent information. Thanks

Reply by BP/WV on 4/5/06 9:18am
Msg #111142

Sue, please accept my sympathy on the passing of your brother. It is very important that people be able to recognize signs of a stroke.

When I first started doing loan closings, I had a borrower have a stroke at the closing table. It was my second closing and a very memorable one. The borrower was of middle age. As we were sitting at the table, she just got a blank look on her face and looked down. Her daughter kept saying "mom" over and over, getting louder each time for about 30 minutes and still no response. I didnt know what to do and neither did the daughter so she called 911 and obviously the signing cancelled. The daughter did call me later that evening to tell me that her mother did have a stroke. Thankfully, she did survive. Had I had any knowledge regarding symptoms of a stroke, I would have recognized the symptoms and called 911 sooner.

Thank you for your reminder.

Reply by Charm_AL on 4/5/06 9:27am
Msg #111145

My condolences Sue. Thanks for the info.

Reply by Cris_AR on 4/5/06 9:43am
Msg #111157

Sorry about your brother.

You taught me something today, great info. I will copy info and email .

Reply by Brenda/CA on 4/5/06 11:11am
Msg #111204

Sue,
I am very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing this important information with everyone.
Brenda

Reply by rlogan_ca on 4/5/06 11:13am
Msg #111209

I'm very sorry for your loss of your brother.

You'r information will undoubtedly save some lives.

My dad had a stroke and the only tell tale sign was his smile. It drooped and that was the only indication that something was wrong. Otherwise he seemed fine.

With the info you have provided, I will now know what to look for. Thank you.

Reply by Renee Kovacs on 4/6/06 5:30am
Msg #111462

Sue,

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I stared a long time at the screen, and I can find nothing very meaningful to say, but won't let that keep me from reaching out and letting you know you're thought of.

Though I've read of these 3 'tests' before, I am ashamed to say I hadn't memorized them (I tested my memory and couldn't remember them all). Now, I have it down. Smile, Speak, Arms up, tongue out. Smile, Speak, Arms up, Tongue out... I'll think of your brother every time I repeat it, and it will be from my heart.

Smile, Speak, Arms Up, Tongue out ..

Reply by newlysmomva on 4/6/06 8:30am
Msg #111506

Re: O/T but very near to my heart..also ask them to ....

squeeze your hands with both of theirs. If the grip in one hand is markedly weaker that is a clue. I was an EMT for years. The grip and smile were what we used most. Also occasionally they will be combative. We had only lady on the ambulance slug the other EMT in the face with what was her good arm.
Sorry for your loss. Thanks for giving everyone the advice. I'm sure it will help save someone.