On Easter Monday I was booked into the local hospital at 9am for a 5-10 minute doppler scan on my neck after "a bit of a turn" the week before. Within the hour I'm put onto a ward for the night and then booked in for an MRI the next day, which confirmed a nigh-on fully blocked right artery in the neck. I was then booked in for surgery to open the artery and clear the blockage followed by 3 days in intensive care. Finally let home yesterday with a six inch cut down my neck and umpteen staples holding it all together.
That's how close I came to a major stroke which (I was told) was imminent! How scary is that?
Thanks IS, no I wasn't expecting that at all. I'd already made plans for that day thinking I'd be home circa 11am. You just never know what's around the corner.
Thanks IS, no I wasn't expecting that at all. I'd already made plans for that day thinking I'd be home circa 11am. You just never know what's around the corner.
If you're like me you hate hospitals, even visiting them, must have been a traumatic experience, sounds to me though like you really have had a lucky escape!
If you're like me you hate hospitals, even visiting them, must have been a traumatic experience, sounds to me though like you really have had a lucky escape!
The scary thing is surgery is usually done under local anaesthetic, as they don't like taking the risk of a stroke during surgery so they talk to you asking questions like who is the Prime Minister etc. They also give you a ball to squeeze on command with your weak side (opposite of brain side). Surgery takes approximately one hour but with me they were looking at around 3 hours so they gave me a general, as they felt it was too long for a local.
The scary thing is surgery is usually done under local anaesthetic, as they don't like taking the risk of a stroke during surgery so they talk to you asking questions like who is the Prime Minister etc. They also give you a ball to squeeze on command
Thanks for the well wishing guys, but still have a few hurdles to jump yet. Next scan in 6 weeks so fingers crossed I can get over the line with a clean bill of health.
Thanks for the well wishing guys, but still have a few hurdles to jump yet. Next scan in 6 weeks so fingers crossed I can get over the line with a clean bill of health.
Thankfully the medics spotted a potential life changing situation there! Similar thing happened to me last year. I had a little trouble with my vision, went to opticians for an eye test, thinking I might need new glasses. They advised me to go to A&E for examination.... The following week I went back to see a consultant who told me I'd had a mini stroke, a TIA. Things are going on in our bodies that we are completely unaware.
Thankfully the medics spotted a potential life changing situation there!Similar thing happened to me last year. I had a little trouble with my vision, went to opticians for an eye test, thinking I might need new glasses. They advised me to go to A&E
Since this all happened I've been advised that all the tiny symptoms I was getting, all lasting no more than a minute or so, were TIA's. Cloudy vision, unable to grip with left hand, numbing arm, gait issues. The problem is we ignore things that come and go, yet all were warning signs of something major occurring. Best not to ignore anything that is outside of the norm. Glad you also found out in time johnizere.
Since this all happened I've been advised that all the tiny symptoms I was getting, all lasting no more than a minute or so, were TIA's. Cloudy vision, unable to grip with left hand, numbing arm, gait issues. The problem is we ignore things that come
Only teasing of course. Sorry to hear your news mate but fabulous to know that you got taken care of in good time and best wishes for the road ahead.
Bugger. I had you in a double with Billy McNeill.Only teasing of course. Sorry to hear your news mate but fabulous to know that you got taken care of in good time and best wishes for the road ahead.
I've now had the clips out and the dressing taken off, wound still swollen but the headache is subsiding, thankfully. Tried to get a pic up but Betfair refused it... it wasn't that bad, tidy work by the surgeon imo. So far so good with no 'turns' since the op
I've now had the clips out and the dressing taken off, wound still swollen but the headache is subsiding, thankfully. Tried to get a pic up but Betfair refused it... it wasn't that bad, tidy work by the surgeon imo. So far so good with no 'turns' sin
Cloudy vision twizzle, but that was rare and short-lived. The main symptoms that prompted a quick response was losing grip in my left hand. Couldn't hold anything at all. Whilst fanning the quilt on my bed (for example) the left side would just lose grip and fly out of my hand, amongst other similar issues. It didn't last long, a minute or so, but then a week before the admission it was with me most of the day, even though this too subsided, but this also included my whole left arm going numb for a short period too. Only other symptom I recall was being unable to co-ordinate my left hand whilst touch typing. All left hand/arm issues in the main, but clearly something that was becoming a regular (and almost daily) occurrence.
Cloudy vision twizzle, but that was rare and short-lived. The main symptoms that prompted a quick response was losing grip in my left hand. Couldn't hold anything at all. Whilst fanning the quilt on my bed (for example) the left side would just lose