| Author |
Message |
John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: john_regener
Post Number: 701
Registered: 04-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2014 - 08:08 pm: |    |
I've had to learn a very tough lesson about taking care of oneself bcause you are your most important asset.
May was Stroke Awareness Month. My awarenesswas was very heightened when I went to the ER at my local hospital. about midnight on April 19. I was feelling very "unwell". After a quick CAT scan, I was admitted for observation. My wife was with me the whole time. The next evening, I woke up from a nap and she noticed that one side of my face was drooping. She went out to the nurse's station and reported my condition. A "Code STroke" was called and within five minutes, I was in a CAt scanner again. I was blessed because a neurologist was doing rounds at the time and she took charge imediately and was present when a second mild stroke occurred. The hospital is classified as a
"stroke center. My care was exceptionally good. The cause has not been definitivley ddermined. It did not help that I had been working too many hours and was sleep-deprived and physically exhausted from thet previoous day's activities.
my apparent recovery has been quick and substantial. Tht's the good news. The strokes have left me tired and frustrated from confusion and lessened ability to type and use a computer. I've had many more tests, and doctor appointments. A specific cause is not easy to define. but uncontrolled diabetes and stress are definite contribubtors. My prognosis is positive So, the first lesson to learn is to get healthy and stay healthy(the whole healthy living litany your doctor will freely recite to you). My main point, however is to advise that learning the signs of stroke and what to do are critically important. I attended a stroke awareness program last weekend. knowing tht signs of stroke and what too do are very important for everyone to know. 400,00 people are expected to to have to have strokes in the US each year. 100,00 are estimated will die. The key to recovery is getting immediate care.
Strokes are now commonly known as "brain attacks.": due to blood vessel blockage or rupture. The term "brain attack" is meant to express the urgency of getting care. if the Stroke is due to blockage, quick administration of a strong medication to clear and prevent more clots has a very positive effect on the severity of the stroke and longterm consequences and the speed of recovery. That's why the signs of stroke mean "Call 911" and get care immediately. The stroke victim should not be driven to the local ER. The HOSPITAL MAY NOT BE A "Stroke Center" and proper care may be delayed by having to transport the victim to another hospital that is a Stroke Center hospital. I was blessed because all Kaiser Permenente hospitals are "stroke centers. and the medical staff are well-trained in what to do.
Recovery from sroke is likely. Permanent disability is not inevitable. I am struggling and frustrated right now and I figure I will need to take an extended break from work to allow more complete and expedited healing to take place. I hope I've communicated a couple of lessons to be learned: Stroke requires immediate care. To reduce the risk of stroke be healthy in lifestyle. Know what to do if stroke occurs (CALL 911, don't hesitate and get the victim to a Stroke Center by ambulance right away.
I apologize for typing and text errors. My typing is still slurred. |
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg
Post Number: 764
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2014 - 09:44 pm: | |
John, I am horrified to hear what you've been through but am very happy to hear that you are recovering quickly. My thoughts and prayers are with you. |
Liz O'Sullivan
Senior Member
Username: liz_osullivan
Post Number: 147
Registered: 10-2011
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2014 - 09:45 pm: | |
John, I'm so sorry to hear about your health problems. Thank you for the reminder to take care of my health! |
Margaret G. Chewning FCSI CCS
Senior Member
Username: presbspec
Post Number: 250
Registered: 01-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 29, 2014 - 11:30 pm: | |
Prayers and thoughts are with you and your wife. Stroke is not unknown in my family and is rough to get through. I'm glad you were able to respond so quickly to assistance. Good luck and wishes in your recovery. |
John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: john_regener
Post Number: 702
Registered: 04-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2014 - 03:29 am: | |
See http://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm for Centers for Disease Control statistics regarding stroke. Numbers are surprising but also positive results of quick gtreatment are identified. This isn't just about my story and irresponsibility about healthy living but is about our families and friends, too. Certainly there are other dieases that deserve research and action. And it isn't just about old people. Stroke is not unheard of for people under 30.
Thanks to everyone for the kind comments. More importantly, please be aware of the magnitutde of stroke in the US and the importance of communities to have "srroke certified" hospitals and be personally aware of what to do when someone is experiencing a stroke (call 911 immediately and transport by ambulance to a "stroke certified" hospital, use an ambulance in case further transport is needed because not all hospitals are "stroke certified). |
J. Peter Jordan
Senior Member
Username: jpjordan
Post Number: 735
Registered: 05-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2014 - 07:26 am: | |
Holly and I were were sorry to hear of your stroke, but are glad to hear that it was not worse. jShe oins me in wishing you a speedy recovery. Will we see you in Baltimore?
On a different note, one of my clients, a man in his mid30s suffered what sounds like a slightly more serious stroke. He was in a place where people got him help quickly, but is expected to be out of work for several months. In his case, causes were largely related to genetic factors. |
David J. Wyatt, CDT
Senior Member
Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt
Post Number: 84
Registered: 03-2011
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2014 - 08:01 am: | |
John,
You have had a sobering view of mortality. But, though your typing may be slurred, as you put it, your considerable intellect reads as strong as ever.
I really hope you return to a good state of health very soon. |
John McGrann
Senior Member
Username: jmcgrann
Post Number: 119
Registered: 03-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2014 - 08:15 am: | |
My thoughts and best wishes are with you as you continue your recovery. Your timely reminders and sharing of your great knowledge are, as always, greatly appreciated.
John T. McGrann, Jr., AIA, CSI, CCS, LEED AP
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Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap
Senior Member
Username: lgoodrob
Post Number: 246
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2014 - 09:16 am: | |
John, I'm so sorry to hear this news. Best wishes for a full recovery.
- |
Robert E. Woodburn, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA
Senior Member
Username: bob_woodburn
Post Number: 81
Registered: 11-2010
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2014 - 09:57 am: | |
John, we're praying that your recovery will be complete in every way, and that in retrospect, this will turn out to have been a blessing for your overall well-being and longevity, however well disguised it may be now.
And thanks for singlehandedly raising our level of stroke awareness... |
George A. Everding, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA
Senior Member
Username: geverding
Post Number: 747
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2014 - 10:33 am: | |
John-
Let me add to the best wishes expressed above. Is one of your recovery goals to get to Baltimore at the end of the summer? It would be wonderful to see you again because it is always a pleasure to chat with you, but especially wonderful this year because it would mean you are doing well.
(If Baltimore is a stretch, the goal is to see you in St. Louis for Construct 2015.)
Good luck - our thoughts are with you on your road to full recovery. |
Robin E. Snyder
Senior Member
Username: robin
Post Number: 545
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2014 - 06:48 pm: | |
Oh My John - so sorry to hear this but so glad you are recovering and I am sure, with your drive and determination, you will be fine!
Interesting, I just saw a Dr. Oz episode about women and stroke and the key word he emphasized was "SUDDEN". Any sudden appearance of a symptom, and we should call 911 and say, "I think I am having a stroke". Don't list the symptoms, make sure you say "STROKE".
Hope to see you soon! |
John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: john_regener
Post Number: 703
Registered: 04-2002
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2014 - 09:39 pm: | |
Robin:
Thanks for the response. I didn't want to take the wind out of your sails bout your posting on "blood cancer." Your comment about the Dr. Oz episode is timely. I also heard that more women die from stroke than breast cancer. We all need more awareness of stroke symptoms and how to respond. Your comment was right on. Thanks.
Baltimore looks like no-go. ST. Louis is a possibility for 2015. I'm trying to figure out how to reduce monthly expenses so I can take about four months off for recovery. May God Bless friends and caring colleagues. You mean a lot. |
Robin E. Snyder
Senior Member
Username: robin
Post Number: 546
Registered: 08-2004
| | Posted on Friday, May 30, 2014 - 09:42 pm: | |
No worries - plenty of wind to go around - we all need to do whatever we all can to educate and support each other, through the good times and the challenging times. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes the challenging times to remind us what is truly important. |
John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: john_regener
Post Number: 704
Registered: 04-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, May 31, 2014 - 07:57 pm: | |
Well, today Saturday May 31, was a medical adventure. I woke and did some cleanup chores, after which I ran short of breath and could not eecover right away. I progressively felt more "unwell". So, I went to the ER. A COUPLE OF HOURS LATER AND after lots of lab tests and monitoring and an EKG and x-ray of my heart, it was determined that I was OK AND THEY sent me home. The doctor said it was APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO have come in, he even he even checked for cadiac problemes that might be masked by other conditions. Heart malfunctions can cause blood clots which cause a stroke. I feel less anxious now and the ER doctor said it could have been a matter of anxiety (not unusual after what I had been through). I was not chastised nor was I scolded. I was expecting (fearing) that I had a blocked artery would need heart bypasss surgery. Not so. He slapped me on the back and said I was pretty healthy, all things considered. Lesson learned: It's OK TO get things checked out when your body is saying "You're not well." That's what helped so much initially regarding my two mild strokes. Still, it seems to justify the idea of caring for my health as much as I can and to be thankful for the excellent healthcare immediately available in my community. I'm espsecially thankful that Chaplain Connie (my wife) was accompanying me . The power of prayer was demonstrated once more. And the blessing of the excelleent "patient-centered care of Kaiser Permanente was proven again. Four premier hospitals in Orange County CA are now joining into a new group and are trying to become like Kaiser Permmanente.
My anxiety level is way down now and I hope I can benefit from more peaceful recuperation. We just need some minor miracles related to finances and physical restoration from the minor brain deficits (mostly in perception) and coordination of things like fingers being able to type. |
J. Peter Jordan
Senior Member
Username: jpjordan
Post Number: 737
Registered: 05-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 01, 2014 - 09:27 am: | |
Keep on truckin', John. Holly always looks forward to sitting next to you at the SCIP meetings. Now she will have to wait until see sees you in St. Louis; and she will see you there! |
John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: john_regener
Post Number: 705
Registered: 04-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 02, 2014 - 07:13 pm: | |
I'm going to end the soap opera ("organ recital" now). Id'd love to keep a dialog going so if anyone wants to contact me, my email address is available on the "membership listing at thE CSI website and in the Member directory of the SCIP website.
Thanks to all
/John |
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