Well, here's my admission, I'm a pretty young guy only 43 years old.
Yesterday just after 7:20 pm I had a stroke.
I am reasonably fit, 5'10" 175 lbs. My cholesterol is normal, in the 90s. I have healthy BP and pulse, no sign of arrhythmia.
Weird right? Yes. I have no notable med history til now...now I can say, "no, just a stroke!" when asked that.
It's hard to type, especially on my iPhone (which I could barely call my GF and 911 on yesterday). I have a bit of trouble talking unless I talk slow and deliberate. The stroke got my motor functions on right side. Yesterday I was hardly intelligible and my right hand was not capable of signing my name nearly close to right.
I am blessed that my thinking is still 100%. Thank God I'm ok.
My motor stuff will come back with practice. I will tie more married wing Parmachene Belle and watch trout munch on them!
Typing is hard, I'm making too many mistakes.
Last words: call 911 FAST!!! Don't screw around. Don't wait. Time is brain - and it's way too easy to take its simplest functions for granted.
Jim, what a relief that you are recovering so fast without the debilitating after effects that so many experience. It's great to hear that you will get out fishing soon and that you can still tie so beautifully. It just wasn't your time bud, hopefully you will be fishing for many more years. Here's wishing you many tight lines and tall tales yet to come.
Thanks all, very much. I do appreciate it - and boy - have so much respect for those who deal / have dealt with the effects of more significant strokes. Holy moly. Not knowing how any of it would play out was very scary... VERY.
Definitely a wake up call of some sort, a warning perhaps. "God is good," is constantly in mind. I can't get angry that every 5th keystroke with my right hand is an error that needs correcting... I'm glad I can type at all with my right! I'm glad I can still tie, albeit slower, and won't be angry about being slower. I'll be glad to see the Puget Sound on Saturday with Gary.
Jim, I am happy to hear you're on the mend, and that your spirits and determination are strong! It's also quite apparent that the incident didn't affect your sense of humor...or the quality of your always articulate and entertaining posts.
Sorry to be so late to the thread, have been out of Internet range for a few days. Jim, I'm glad things are turning out as well as they are. I will reiterate what Boot and a few others have mentioned. Don't mess around, time is critical. The available medications and interventions have time limits, and even after arriving to the hospital it takes about 30 minutes to get all the necessary tests and mix the medications before they are given. And even within the time limits, the sooner the better. So tell everyone you know, if you think you are having a stroke call 911 immediately. Thankfully it sounds like Jim did exactly this.
Phew... Sorry to hear about the stroke, Jim. I am glad you are recovering quickly. Pretty scary stuff. I learned a lot about stroke back in 2001. My dad was 77 and suffered what the Dr. called a "moderate" stroke. Unfortunately, time was not on his side. He lived alone and it took a couple of hours before a neighbor discovered he was having difficulty. He was gone in three days. The reason I mention this to just to reiterate that "time is brain" is accurate and quick medical response and treatment is critical for successful recovery. I am glad you were able to call 911 and get medical help quickly. Best wishes and prayers headed your way for a speedy and full recovery.
It's a good thing you weren't fishing Ah-Di-Nah when this happened! Hang in there, Jim.
Thanks, Jeff. Glad you're back to nearly 100%! I will definitely be up for the support group meetings...
I fished the salt from my boat Saturday - couldn't double haul at all at first... timing issue between right and left arms. Got from piling up 40 foot casts to hauling and maybe casting 60 feet towards the end. Normally 80 feet in my sleep, 90+ with some concentration. Oh, yeah, no fish either. Hm.
So, I fished Sky tributaries yesterday with my 2-weight and an EHC on 5x tippet. Much better! Willing rainbows and westslope cutts coming from nowhere to inhale my EHC made it really fun. Wading was interesting - at first my equilibrium was all hosed like I was leaning wrong - but that eventually corrected to normal wading and ripping through stuff. I was having to be careful yesterday as I was by my self, much to my GFs dismay... but my only other choice was stay home. Screw the lawn, there's fish to catch!
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