So, you ask, what the hell happened with you, you ask. The trip to Syracuse got derailed, almost as soon as it stated. It makes for a curious tale.
So... David and I are departing for upstate New York. We leave the apartment and everything's just fine, by the time we get down to the garage to get into the car I am unable to find words. I mean like absolutely no clue what the word is that I want to say, so I mumble and fumble and I don't think get a single coherent word out. All this happened in an elevator ride of about five stories. I was, needless to say, getting frustrated, panicked, frightened. This went on for about an hour in the car. I am a Francis after all and just because I have an attack of aphasia for the first time, and can't speak doesn't mean I put off plans for the day. It'll probably get better, probably. By the time we got to Corning, New York and stopped for the night, I was feeling slightly better, but later on started developing a nasty headache and David finally said "OK. Do you want to go to the emergency room? Do you want to go back home tomorrow?" I was apparently looking in pretty rough shape, then about 15 minutes later I was sound asleep and snoring. So we left the next day, and thanks to the modern miracle of the inter web, I was able to message my doctor on the way. I explained the situation and got a very quick reply from an assistant who had talked to my doctor, and they both said that I was to get myself to an emergency room as soon as I got back to Virginia. They concluded that direction with a "please please go today!" Well, you can take that seriously.
So I got checked in for observation, in a comfy part of the hospital. Everybody there was very nice there, even charming--especially one bearded nurse with tattooed arms whom I referred to as the nurse dude. I went through all sorts of interesting and marvelously technological tests, all of which happily turned out to reveal no significant issues with either brain or heart, other than the usual wear and tear. I had a Transitory Ischemic Attack (TIA) sometimes called--incorrectly--a mini-stroke. It presents stroke-like symptoms, but does not do any permanent damage and usually persists from 1 to 24 hours. It was, nevertheless, alarming and leaves you pretty rattled afterwards. It was a huge relief to find out I was actually OK.
The hospital bed was surprisingly comfy, there was nothing good on TV. The food was acceptable and now I'm apparently just fine all things considered. So now I'm on Plavix, a blood thinner; I'd already been taking a daily low-dose aspirin. That will do for Medical Adventure Time for a while. Aphasia is quite scary when you've never even heard of it before; right now I'm just back on little words; they said I should be able to manage polysyllables in about a week, but to avoid Greek roots for now.
Oh, a TIA is very, very scary! Glad you sought medical attention but next time you'll know to do so immediately. I had a teensy mini-stroke a couple of years ago that left some optic damage in one eye. My ophthalmologist spotted it during a later regular examination. I had to go see an eye stroke specialist and he put me on Plavix too.
ReplyDeleteAphasia is a classic symptom too, also very unnerving. Your final sentence made me laugh!
You're sweet! ❤️ I'm pretty much back to normal now (although "normal" for me isn't actually saying all that much). 😘
DeleteWhat surprised me most about your story was that you didn't go to the hospital right away! I'm glad you reached out to your doctor and did go to the hospital after all but, really, next time go right away and don't wait! So glad to hear you are feeling better and hope you stay that way! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, J. I can’t believe you guys continued your trip. I can just hear it, “Oh, I’ll be fine. This will pass.” So glad you went home and went to Emergency. AND, especially, that it wasn’t a stroke. Please take good care of yourself, rest well, listen to your body, and be well. Those aren’t orders but you get the idea. Sending you enormous hugs. And, don’t worry. I’ll cover the Greek roots for you in the meantime. Hygieia!
ReplyDeleteYeah, guess I didn't quite learn my lesson that time I collapsed the first time, or the third time a couple of months ago. Sometimes it's takes a bit before I catch on to things... 🥰🥰
DeleteWhat Mitchell said!
ReplyDeleteWill Jay
I asked if he was okay to travel, and he said, yes. Then he spent 20 minutes trying to say the name on a sign we passed, IKEA. It was not greek I guess.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing all of this. It is a good rule for all of us to avoid Greek roots.
ReplyDeleteA significant episode but I am glad to hear that you have pulled through and that with medication and possibly some lifestyle changes you will live far into the future. Thanks for explaining what a TIA is. David's blog shows you resting in hospital selecting your next meal from the extensive menu. I hope that, just like Popeye the Sailorman, you picked canned spinach.
ReplyDeleteWhat a scare. Rest up...You'll be back to big words and Greek roots in no time.
ReplyDelete