[TheForge] Denial won't work -- call 911 if you have symptoms...

[Bruce .]

...of stroke, heart attack, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, etc.

I won't recount those symptoms.  There are better sources on the web than
me.  E.g.:

https://www.webmd.com/stroke/guide/signs-of-stroke

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-attack/in-depth/heart-attack-symptoms/art-20047744

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352557
*****
If you're not sure you agree, read on.
*****

My story:  Thursday, my girlfriend (whom I'd seen the previous Sunday)
called me to say there was something wrong with her.  I raced over and saw
the problem -- slightly slurred speech and a weak left hand.  I had her
chew an aspirin tablet, and I called 911.  After examining her, the EMTs
took her to the hospital.  She'd had a stroke.

The problem was, the stroke occurred WEDNESDAY, and she'd waited 24 hours
to call me.  She hadn't even taken aspirin because she couldn't find any.
She said she thought the symptoms would pass.

Such symptoms NEVER just pass.  They get worse.  And 3 hours after the
stroke, the door closes on some of the more effective treatments.

She has since had blood taken a few times, two CT's, an echocardigram (?)
or two, an MRI, and is due for another test on Monday that will require her
to be anesthetized.

She's doing as well as can be expected.  Her mind is fine and her speech
only slightly slurred, but her left hand doesn't work well, though she's
working it as best she can.  I helped her shower and wash her hair today,
which she can't yet do alone (for risk of falling).

And by the time I'd finished today's 5-hour (or so) visit I was very tired
(as was she) -- but I still had to go back to her house (second time today)
to feed and tend to the cat.

She wants to go home, but she lives alone so that's not likely to happen
soon.  She'll be at least another day in the hospital, followed likely by
some sort of nursing home with PT, etc.  I'm not even thinking yet about
what this all will cost.

Sorry for the tale of woe, but NEVER NEVER ignore symptoms of stroke, heart
attack, or deep vein thrombosis.  Chew an aspirin and call 911 right away.

Thanks for any and all good wishes.  I'm agnostic but even I accept well
meaning "thoughts and prayers".  Anyway, she's at least nominally religious
-- Methodist, I think  -- so I'll pass along any good wishes.

Bruce
NJ