One thousand four hundred forty minutes.
Just Scribbles
There is a happy ending though. I am better. Every single day and God had more for me to do.
Some of you know, others may not. Nine years ago today on WORLD STROKE DAY (I know), October 29th, my stroke was diagnosed by an amazing ophthalmologist, Thomas Claringbold, D.O., after the hospitals — yes, HOSPITALS, plural — sent me home.
Did you know that two million brain cells die every minute during stroke, increasing risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death? My stroke was undiagnosed for over twenty-four hours. Twenty-four hours in a day. One thousand four hundred forty minutes.
Brain cells — ah, who needs 'em?
I am different. I talk slower. I process things slower. I am completely blind in both eyes on the right. I can't drive. I have a hard time holding on to details or too much information given to me all at once. I can no longer do math. (To clarify, Mr. Schmittner, I still know HOW to do math, I can no longer hold onto the numbers to get to the end of the equation.)
Fine motor stuff is tough. I can no longer "fix" my hair. Applying make-up is difficult. Chores take longer, and I prefer to eat foods that don't require utensils as they are a bit challenging.
There is a happy ending though. I am better. Every single day and God had more for me to do.
I believe He wants me to share this information with you, and so I will, on the anniversary of my stroke and anytime someone has a few moments to listen to my story.
Please pay special attention to the bold bullet points below and if you have extra time, click the link.
TWO MILLION brain cells die every minute during stroke, increasing risk of permanent brain damage, disability or death.
1,440 × 2,000,000 = A LOT OF DAMNED BRAIN CELLS
According to the American Stroke Association:
- ▸Over half of stroke deaths occur in women.
- ▸More men have strokes, but more women die with strokes.
- ▸700,000 individuals have a new or recurrent stroke each year.
- ▸About 4.7 million stroke survivors are alive today — stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability.
- ▸If you combine the annual health care dollars spent on heart disease and cancer, it is less than the money spent on stroke treatment each year.
- ▸Nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65 and the risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55.
- ▸For African Americans, stroke is more common and more deadly — even in young and middle-aged adults — than for any ethnic or other racial group in the United States.
- ▸Twice as many women die of stroke than breast cancer every year.