A Stroke Survivor s Tale Clinically Dead
Saturday, 15 August 2009
~ A Sudden Paralysis ~
It was after a weekend in St. Augustine
Florida that Jim Olbrich had his too-close-for-comfort brush with death. That night a blood clot rushed into his brain and caused a major hemorrhagic stroke. A stroke that has left Jim walking like Frankenstein.
Jim had driven the two hours back to his home in Orlando. Tired
he went to bed ... but
found he had trouble rolling over ... couldn't easily get into position for sleep.
During the night
it felt as if a little girl's hand pulled him out of bed. Jim headed for the bathroom ... not yet aware that his left side was already losing control. He banged off the walls ... stumbled his way ... finally made it. Jim fell off the toilet ... lay on the floor for awhile.
Next thing ... Jim was in a helicopter -- being whisked to the hospital. It happened that quick! And
it happened while he was sleeping.
~ Blood Pushing on the Brain ~
Later
in the ICU
Jim heard his skull crack ... a cracking sound on his right side. Then
his head started hurting. The on-duty nurse offered a simple solution
Well ... I'll get you a couple Tylenol.
But ... this wasn't a simple headache to be solved by a couple of pills. Soon
Jim was in a coma.
In the operating room
his skull was opened ... blood was drained ... the pressure was released. But ... "My brain fell out!"
When Jim woke up the next morning
I got a gazillion staples in my head ... holding everything together.
He'd also died.
~ Waking Up in the Morgue ~
Declared was declared dead and put in the morgue. A body bag was nearby and a nurse was putting a tag on Jim's big toe. Luckily for Jim
the rubber band tangled with the hair on his toe. When the nurse pulled it back ... she ripped out some of Jim's hair. He woke up!
When Jim sat up and spoke ... the startled nurse ran for the door. Instead she ran headlong into the wall. Now ... Jim had to wait for her to come to. Finally
he was wheeled back to his room ... a lot nicer than spending a night in the morgue.
"I would have spent the rest of my life looking at somebody else's feet."
~ What caused the stroke? ~
After years of being checked out constantly ... Jim feels the doctors are still guessing. His cardiologist believes it was an artery on the front of Jim's heart ... it exploded and blew off ... sending the deadly clot on its way to Jim's brain.
The clot caused a "brain bleed" -- a destructive hemorrhagic stroke. Pressure from the pooling blood "crushed" Jim's brain.
~ Jim's Still Paralyzed ~
Now
three years later
how's Jim doing? "Not bad." Jim's not one to complain. His sense of humour is one thing that has gotten him through this ordeal.
Sporting a carbon-fiber plate in his skull ... completely paralyzed on his left side ... suffering from constant headaches ... Jim chuckles at all his problems. "I walk like Frankenstein ... on a cane."
Jim is still on therapy and hopes to one day "become more graceful." If Jim's doctor had been correct ... Jim wouldn't walk at all. But ... Jim is stubborn. He may not walk pretty ... but
with his persistence
he does walk.
It is a source of relief to Jim ... he never lost his ability to talk. Also
his memory is still quite good ... barring a few blank spots. "They're a total mystery to me."
They may be lingering in a small piece of brain ... in a jar. A piece of brain -- "The size of my small finger" -- is still sitting in a jar downtown. Jim hasn't been able to see it yet ... but he'd like to. "I want to see where my memory is."
~ Can Jim's paralysis be treated? ~
"That's forever!"
Or
until more T-cell research is permitted. Jim needs that ... he's on everybody's list to volunteer. What Jim needs now is a new president ... someone who won't be against such research.
Why is the current administration against T-cell research? "That's because they're healthy!"
~ How to Avoid a Stroke ~
Jim's advice? "Keep an eye on your cholesterol. Arteries clog up ... that's the problem."
High levels of LDL cholesterol will lead to atherosclerosis. And
the poor dietary habits that create this problem also bring on high blood pressure
diabetes
and obesity. All put you at a high risk of heart attack and stroke.
Take some time out today ... look at your diet. Could it be healthier? Start eating better
get some exercise
live a healthier
longer life.
Jim doesn't want you to join him. He's quite content being the only one who walks like Frankenstein. If his story can keep you from suffering what he has suffered ... you'll put a bigger smile on his face.
Blog Archive
-
▼
2009
(53)
-
▼
August
(42)
- AIDS Education health problem associate with HIV...
- After Cancer Treatment Health Tips Everyone Needs ...
- Adult Scoliosis
- Adult Attention Deficit Disorder
- Adult ADHD and Fear Why We Procrastinate
- ADHD Treatments
- ADHD Article Help Guide
- Addiction When Gambling Becomes a Problem
- ADD And Coexisting Conditions - Why Is It So Compl...
- Acute Infectious Anthrax
- Acromegaly Overgrowth condition in humans.
- Acid Reflux-cause and natural remedies
- Acid Reflux Disease in Infants
- Acid Reflux Disease Causes and Effects
- Acid Reflux Disease
- Acid Reflux - Treating It With Medication
- Acid Reflux - Treating it with Diet and Lifestyle ...
- Acid Reflux - Is It Just Indigestion
- Acid Reflux - Causes
- About Cerebral Palsy
- About Anorexia
- A Wake-Up Call From The Heart
- A Variola Story
- A Summary Of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection
- A Stroke Survivor s Tale Clinically Dead
- A Moving Experience
- A Brief Introduction To Rheumatoid Arthritis
- A Bird-Flu Pandemic Could Start Tomorrow
- A Better Understanding Of Arthritis
- 7 Ways to Grow Flowers
- 7 Tips to Take Control of Bipolar Disorder
- 6 Essential Facts You Should Know About Bipolar Di...
- 5 Ways to Deal With ADHD
- 2.2 Americans Has Psoriasis
- 10 ways to protect your self from bankruptcy cause...
- What s Not ADHD
- What on Earth is a Celiac
- Pinkeye - Conjunctivitis
- Lord Of The Rings Star Sean Astin Talks About Bip...
- Como jugar al Backgammon
- Como Encontrar Pareja si Estas Solo o Sola
- Bird Flu What You Need To Know
-
▼
August
(42)