A Change of Plans

Thanksgiving, a day you plan and prepare for the whole month of November, so if you do not feel exactly perfect that morning just keep on cooking and worry about it later. Right? Well it is what my mother, 79 at the time, did. The family was due at 3:30 PM and everything must be perfect.

When I arrived, I immediately noticed she was acting funny. Mother is not a funny person. She is serious, in control and organized. She had not set the table and ordered me to do it. This occupied my time and I did not question her about how she felt.

That chore completed, I returned to the kitchen and noticed that she had little use of her left arm. Always a little over weight and never athletic, I was not too worried.

When she asked me to put the coffee maker in the family room (it usually goes on the sideboard in the dinning room), I glanced over and noticed that her face was crooked. The left side of her face drooped.

At that point I was worried. I asked her how she felt. She admitted not too good. When she woke up, she advised that she fell out of bed and felt dizzy.

I was mildly aware of stroke and the resulting outcomes. The one thing I did know was get to the hospital within the first hour and you may be fine. Here we are at least 8 hours latter with a possible stroke for mother.

Did I mention stubborn? That's mother. She wanted to deal with it tomorrow. I refused. I called 911 and in her mind ruined the holiday.

She had a right brain stroke. It was a mild stroke or of course she would not have been able to function as well as she had.

She had a great outcome. She is now 86 and in good health (with the aid of around 14 daily pills).

One day on television, on a health show, they listed the important symptoms of a stroke. They advised the four things to ask a person you suspect may be having a stroke. They are easy to remember:

1. Ask the person to lift their arms in front of them and over their head
2. Ask the person to walk
3. Ask the person to smile
4. Ask the person to make a simple statement

If any of these warning signs of a stroke happen, call 911.

"Act F. A. S. T. " test is what the National Stroke Association advises you learn and remember to get the best help in fastest way possible.

If you are not feeling well, look in the mirror and smile. Then lift up your arms and make sure they are level. I know several times, I have done just that. Also, if I see you acting funny, be aware I may ask you to smile.

Learn more about this author, Gail Clute.
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