This post was sponsored by Medtronic as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. My mom was the youngest of three. She had two older brothers; my uncle Jack and uncle John. I loved to hear stories of her adventures with my uncles. As much as they loved to tease my mom, they were very protective of her. Of my two uncles, we were closest to my uncle Jack. He was gregarious and full of life. Until he had a stroke.
My mom got the call from Jack’s wife, my aunt Letty. Jack had a stroke the night before and was in the hospital. The prognosis was not hopeful. Neither of them knew how to recognize the signs of a stroke. Jack never fully recovered from that stroke. Thankfully, aunt Letty was a nurse, so she was able to care for him. She and my mom talked frequently about how uncle Jack’s zest for life had disappeared.
Less than two years later, my mom suffered a stroke. She lived alone, so no one knew about it until the next day. Mom was terrified to call my sisters or myself. She didn’t want to go to the hospital and end up like uncle Jack. I hadn’t talked to mom for a while, so when I spoke with her a few days later, I was shocked. I could barely understand her as her speech was dramatically affected my her stroke. She also lost the use of her left arm. Mom passed away two weeks later.
I wish I had known that most strokes were preventable. Because today, October 29, 2017, is World Stroke Day, I wanted to share some important information with you. I want to help you how to recognize the signs of a stroke. Someone will suffer a stroke every other second, with someone losing their life every 6 seconds. You need to know how to act F.A.S.T. This stands for:
- Facial drooping: You will see facial drooping like a crooked smile, usually only on one side.
- Arm weakness: The inability to raise your arm fully
- Speech difficulties: An inability or difficulty to understand or produce speech
- Time: If you see any of the any of the above symptoms in yourself or someone else, ACT QUICKLY! Call 911 or go to the hospital.
According to the World Health Organization, 17 million people suffer a stroke worldwide each year. Of these, 6 million will die, like my mom did. Another 5 million are permanently disabled, like my uncle Jack was. Strokes are not biased on who they strike. It does not matter your gender, age or race, although women do have more strokes each year than men.
Medtronic and the World Stroke Organization (WSO) want you to take 2 minutes to learn about the signs of stroke. Then they want you to tell 2 people what those signs are. This is part of the “Take 2…Tell 2″ campaign. One of the most important things you need to know is that how quickly someone gets medical attention for a stroke is critical to the opportunity for complete recovery. Had my mom gotten to the hospital, she may have lived. That though haunts us often. So, please, learn how to recognize the signs of a stroke…F.A.S.T.
Have you been affected by a stroke of a friend or family member? I would appreciate you sharing your story!
Sarah L says
October 29, 2017 at 10:23 pmNo, I don’t have any personal experience with someone having a stroke. I try to live a healthy life.
mycraftingworld says
October 30, 2017 at 7:22 amI had a friend’s father that had a bad one but got to the hospital in time. He lived many years but it was hard on him for not being able to talk correctly or remember all the words to say. He would know he was 54 but forgot how to say fifty four. He just wrote out he was five four years old.
Rosie says
October 30, 2017 at 2:53 pmI’m sorry you lost your mom. This is good information to know, for yourself, or for others.
Kim Avery says
October 30, 2017 at 5:14 pmSorry about your mom. Great information! Easy to remember! My daughter in laws friend had a stroke when she was in her 20s. Years later she is still recovering. At the time she thought it was just a bad migraine causing her symptoms! After laying down for awhile she realized something was wrong but still too late to fully ever recover.
robin rue says
October 30, 2017 at 7:10 pmThanks for posting about this. I wouldn’t have recognized a few of these, so now I know and I feel better knowing.
Mary Songer says
October 30, 2017 at 7:53 pmMy grandmother had a stroke and didn’t call anyone. I went to visit her and found that she could only say no. Took her to the hospital and there wasn’t much they could do since I didn’t catch it fast enough. She lived for years after that but was never the same. It was heartbreaking. I will be telling everyone I know about what to look for and that you have to get to a hospital as soon as you can.
Cassie says
October 30, 2017 at 8:05 pmThis is such an important post. My father suffered from a stroke quite a few years back, luckily he recovered fairly intact but it still has taken a toll on him. I’m sorry to hear about your mother and your uncle. It really is such an awful thing xx
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
October 30, 2017 at 8:34 pmI was in the emergency room on Friday with my cousin, and saw the FAST signs of a stroke. I had no idea about any of these, and it’s scary! Thanks for sharing this information,.
Karen Morse says
October 30, 2017 at 8:53 pmI’m sorry about your uncle and you mom. It’s really important that we know the signs so that we can help prevent or at least call for help as soon as we see them.
Patricia-Ann Que says
October 30, 2017 at 9:08 pmthis is so important! as they say prevention is better than cure! thank you
Beth Davidson says
October 30, 2017 at 9:41 pmI don’t know anyone who’s had a stroke (that I know of), but this is really important information for everyone.
Claudia Krusch says
October 30, 2017 at 10:12 pmThis is such important information. Time is so crucial when someone has a stroke. I will have to share this with my friends.
Melissa Chapman says
October 30, 2017 at 10:53 pmI have been lucky that no one close to me has ever had a stroke but I have lost my parents to other problems. I will keep FAST in mind for myself and my husband.
Kim Six says
October 31, 2017 at 12:22 amThis is such important information.. I even have known children that have had strokes.. it isn’t always the result of being unhealthy or anything that YOU may have done, very similar to lung cancer.
Mary says
October 31, 2017 at 12:29 amScary stuff and it’s important to be well informed.
Milton Goh says
October 31, 2017 at 1:25 amI have never had a close family member who suffered from stroke but this knowledge is important to have just in case of emergencies!
Sondra Barker says
October 31, 2017 at 3:05 amI’ve never had an experience with someone who suffered from a stroke, but these tips are still important to know because strokes can happen anytime, and anywhere!
Sondra xx
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Katrina says
October 31, 2017 at 5:15 amI’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for spreading awareness on how to recognise the signs of having a stroke before it’s too late. It’s so important to look out for your loved ones.
Jessica Joachim says
October 31, 2017 at 7:23 amyour story broke my heart. My mom had a stroke in June of this year. It was really touch and go for a while, no one knew if she was going to make it because apparently with a cerebellum hemorrhage there is a 40% Mortality rate before they even get to the hospital. She was lucky, she suffered very little long term effects, and is already back to work. She has a new normal now though, and it is hard to see because she “looks” fine. She gets tired easily, frustrated, can’t grasp some words and concepts as easily as before.
Terri Steffes says
October 31, 2017 at 8:32 amI’ll take the challenge and tell my husband and my two kids. They are in a position to help others, too. Thanks!
TColeman says
October 31, 2017 at 9:59 amRecognizing the signs of a stroke is so important! So many people have no idea what they are.
serena says
October 31, 2017 at 9:59 amWow those stats are scary. When I worked in corporate america one of my staff members had a stroke at his desk. The person next to him recognized the signs and he was rushed to medical care right away and made a full recovery.
Nancy at Whispered Inspirations says
October 31, 2017 at 10:13 amIt really is important that we know the signs and symptoms of a stroke. So many people would not know.
gingermommy says
October 31, 2017 at 10:16 amThis is such an important post! It really is significantly important that everyone know the signs of a stroke.
Stephanie Jeannot says
October 31, 2017 at 10:56 amI am definitely sharing this because I will never forget the day my coworker told me that the pain she had in her hand moved to her shoulder. I wish I had taken her to the nurse’s office because I could have saved her life. I blamed myself for a long time. Thank you for sharing this!
Siti Aana says
October 31, 2017 at 11:21 amThank you for putting this post out. This information should be in everyone’s mind because you never know when you or someone around you will need the knowledge to save a life.
Ronnie says
October 31, 2017 at 11:26 amWith my former father-in-law, it wasn’t so clear from the get-go. But suddenly he was repeating himself… he would tell a story in his usual charismatic, story-teller way, and then five minutes tell it again with zero recollection that he had already told it. That was the sign for us that something was wrong. After that, we started noticing a few more alterations to his personality.
1stopmom says
October 31, 2017 at 12:54 pmI am so sorry to hear about your Mom. My favorite aunt passed away from a stroke 2 years ago. In June my father in law had a stroke. Fortunately we were able to see the signs that he was having one. He is still recovering but he is doing well. Thanks for sharing these signs.
Kaity | With Kids and Coffee says
October 31, 2017 at 1:04 pmWe haven’t had any personal experience with strokes in our family, but it makes me feel so much better knowing these early warning signs. I will absolutely remember the “FAST” signs to look for—thank you for sharing this!!
AnnMarie John says
October 31, 2017 at 1:05 pmI’m sorry about what happened to your mother. We should be aware of the signs so we can prevent it as soon as they manifest. I think it’s nice that you’re raising awareness on stroke.
Kay says
October 31, 2017 at 3:25 pmThis is so important to share and could be really significant to someone who may possibly need this information some day!
Anne Yedlin says
October 31, 2017 at 9:24 pmAs a healthcare worker, I am trained to know what to look for but for those without the experience, it’s sometimes hard to detect. This is a great informative post on what to look for. Thank you for sharing on such an important subject!
Mardene Carr says
November 1, 2017 at 5:15 amThanks for reminding us. I think this information should be given every three months at work places and families should also speak about this often.
LaToyia Dennis says
November 1, 2017 at 10:32 amI nearly had a stoke. I wrote about it a few weeks ago. It is so very scary.
Christina A. says
November 1, 2017 at 5:04 pmThis is a really great reminder! I used to work with elderly people and the impact of a stroke can really be terrible but can be caught early if someone knows the warning signs!
Cindy Ingalls says
November 1, 2017 at 5:47 pmKnowing the signs of a stroke is so important. The quicker you get to the hospital the faster you can be treated. I’m so sorry to hear about your mom, but I’m sure she would be proud to know you are helping others with this post.
Stacey says
November 1, 2017 at 6:02 pmI knew about the arm pain and weakness, but not about the other signs.
ashley says
November 1, 2017 at 6:10 pmthis is all such good info! my grandpa just had a stroke and it can be a very confusing and scary time. Thanks for spreading awareness!
Brittany says
November 1, 2017 at 9:17 pmThese tips are so important and simple enough to remember. Being able to act quickly when you suspect a problem can make a huge impact in the outcome. Thank you for sharing these reminders.
Heather says
November 2, 2017 at 6:51 amThis is so important! My dad had a stroke almost five years ago and it came as a huge surprise. They thought he had a heart attack at work and was evacuated by air to a hospital. It was so so scary and our family has learned so much about strokes since.
Kim says
November 2, 2017 at 7:44 amThis is so important to know! I’m so glad you did this post for a good reminder.
Ayana Pitterson says
November 2, 2017 at 10:53 amTHANK you for sharing this! My husband is Type 1 diabetic, and it’s one of the health scares that I fear the most. I am absolutely acutely aware of the various signs, and know that acting quickly is a MUST. I only wish others were so aware of it, in the event something happens to him when I am not around.
Thrifting Diva
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Krystle Cook says
November 2, 2017 at 11:03 amKnowing the signs is seriously the first step. It can save so many lives!
Cynthia R says
November 2, 2017 at 11:18 amMy father in law starting slurring his words and sounding confused while on the phone with my husband. That was our first sign.
Dana Rodriguez says
November 2, 2017 at 11:42 amThis is such an important article. Thank you for sharing! I am so sorry about your mom and uncle.
Patricia Green says
November 3, 2017 at 12:41 pmSo sorry for your loss. It’s hard when you lose a parent. My Mom had a stroke as well. She didn’t pass from it, cancer took her from us. But it was so scary when she had her stroke. It’s scary for all of us! Thank you for sharing this information. So very important to know!
donna porter says
November 5, 2017 at 5:03 amI am truly sorry for your loss. This is some great information that everyone needs to know.
Jen Temcio says
November 6, 2017 at 9:37 amI am sorry for your loss. I agree that people have tp be “better safe than sorry” in a situation that may potentially be a stroke and get to the hospital to be certain.
Cheryl Everitt says
November 7, 2017 at 8:40 amAccording to my doctors I have had a few near misses. I was in denial. This could not happen to me – I’m only 70 so what the heck is going on. Luckily i have a team of doctors that have trained me to look for the signs. FAST – everyone needs to know this! Thank you for sharing.
wendy browne says
November 19, 2017 at 7:47 amMy grandfather died of a stroke in his late 60s back in 1998. He also had diabetes and was a wonderful but stressed man. I was able to say goodbye to him at the hospital, he was unable to speak due to the stoke but I can still remember how pained his eyes looked.
mycraftingworld says
February 14, 2018 at 7:58 amThank you for the reminder. As we get older, we need to pay attention to all our friends and check on them.