It was one of those nights when sleep eluded me. After tossing and turning most of the night, I conducted a mental inventory of my body around 5:00 am. Everything seemed fine other than unneeded stress at work, but that’s what poor managers there did well. They kept people on edge. I finally got to sleep and woke up around 6:30 am. Now, everything was different. My left side had an odd numbing sensation, and it seemed to get worse.

My speech slurred, and I knew then something was wrong. At the hospital, a CT Perfusion scan and MRI imaging confirmed an ischemic stroke on the right side of my brain. Fortunately, I had a Last Known Well (LKW) time so the medical staff could give me the clot-buster drug, Tenecteplase (TNK) within a tight time-frame. Then, I went to the ICU. What followed was a journey of uncertainty, learning, and hope.

This article provides an honest look at my stroke recovery and the practical lessons I wish more people knew.

The ability to recognize stroke symptoms and act quickly can be life-saving. Stroke symptoms usually appear suddenly and may include:

• Numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body).
• Confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding speech.
• Vision problems in one or both eyes.
• Difficulty walking, dizziness, or loss of balance.
• Severe headache with no known cause.

A commonly used acronym to identify these signs is BE FAST:

• Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination.
• Eyes: Sudden vision changes or loss in one or both eyes.
• Face: Facial drooping on one side.
• Arms: Weakness or numbness in one arm.
• Speech: Slurred or incoherent speech.
• Time: Act quickly—call emergency services immediately.

This acronym improves upon the older FAST model by adding vision and balance symptoms that may be present in strokes affecting the back of the brain.

Understanding the different types of strokes is critical for awareness and recovery planning. According to the American Heart Association, the three primary types include:

• Ischemic stroke: Caused by a blood clot blocking a vessel in the brain. It accounts for 87% of all strokes.
• Hemorrhagic stroke: Occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain.
• Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Sometimes called a “mini-stroke,” it involves a temporary blockage that resolves within 24 hours but serves as a major warning sign for future strokes.

In the United States alone, someone has a stroke every 40 seconds, and every 3.5 minutes someone dies of a stroke.

Many stroke cases result from modifiable risk factors. According to research published in The Lancet Neurology, the following ten factors account for 90% of stroke risk globally:

• Hypertension
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Physical inactivity
• Poor diet
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Heart disorders (e.g., atrial fibrillation)
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Psychosocial stress

In my case, accumulated stress and inconsistent medical checkups played a significant role. High blood pressure had crept up silently. Routine checkups might have identified this earlier. Annual wellness visits, regular blood pressure monitoring, and lab screenings for cholesterol and glucose can detect these warning signs early.

Stroke recovery varies for each person. The nature of the stroke, timing of intervention, and overall health play key roles in outcomes. However, common components of stroke recovery include:

1. Inpatient Rehabilitation

Patients may begin rehabilitation immediately in the hospital. Multidisciplinary teams of physical, occupational, and speech therapists develop customized recovery plans. Research shows that early intensive rehabilitation is associated with better functional outcomes.

2. Outpatient Therapy

After discharge, ongoing therapy continues at outpatient centers. Sessions focus on muscle re-education, gait improvement, cognitive function, and speech.

3. Home Health Services

For those with mobility limitations, skilled nurses and therapists provide treatment at home. Regular assessments track progress and adapt goals.

4. Psychological Support

Stroke survivors often face emotional challenges, including depression, anxiety, and post-stroke fatigue. Psychotherapy, support groups, and, sometimes, medication, can provide necessary support.

5. Lifestyle Modifications

Doctors encourage each person to make permanent, healthy lifestyle changes. These include:

• Regular physical activity approved by a physician.
• A Mediterranean-style diet (high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and fish).
• Smoking cessation programs.
• Stress reduction techniques (e.g., mindfulness or counseling).

One of the hardest realizations during my recovery was that I had to re-learn simple tasks. Regaining muscle control, coordinating movement, and expressing full sentences were not automatic anymore.

Progress is rarely linear. There are days of significant gains and others of frustrating setbacks. But with the right care, consistent therapy, and a network of supportive professionals, progress happens.

Support from family, friends, people I worked WITH, and medical teams made the difference. Those I worked FOR actively showed their interpersonal weaknesses. I enjoyed a long, successful career and then, suddenly I became a problem by poor managers. One of the healthiest things I did was retire on short notice and work on recovery.

Stroke recovery requires humility, patience, and discipline—qualities professionals often already possess in their careers. It also helps to recognize that stroke recovery never really ends. We have a responsibility to those we care about, and ourselves to be the people we can be. It is through the varying levels of challenge that we reach new goals and see the true value of life.

• BE FAST – A stroke awareness acronym emphasizing key symptoms: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time.
• CT Perfusion Scan – A specialized type of CT scan that assesses blood flow in the brain.
• ICU (Intensive Care Unit) – A hospital unit for patients requiring close monitoring and intensive medical care.
• Ischemic Stroke – A stroke caused by a blockage in an artery supplying blood to the brain.
• LKW (Last Known Well) – The last time the patient was known to be without stroke symptoms; essential for treatment eligibility.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) – An imaging technique used to detect stroke-related brain damage.
• TNK (Tenecteplase) – A thrombolytic drug used to dissolve clots and restore blood flow during acute ischemic stroke.
• TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) – A temporary stroke-like event that resolves within 24 hours.
• tPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) – A clot-dissolving drug approved by the FDA for treating ischemic strokes.
• Thrombolysis – The process of breaking down blood clots using medication.

• American Heart Association. (2024). Types of Stroke. https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/types-of-stroke
• American Stroke Association. (2024). Spot a Stroke F.A.S.T. https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms
• Hackett, M. L., & Pickles, K. (2014). Part I: Frequency of depression after stroke: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. International Journal of Stroke, 9(8), 1017–1025. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijs.12357
• Langhorne, P., Bernhardt, J., & Kwakkel, G. (2011). Stroke rehabilitation. The Lancet, 377(9778), 1693–1702. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60325-5
• O’Donnell, M. J., Chin, S. L., Rangarajan, S., et al. (2016). Global and regional effects of potentially modifiable risk factors associated with acute stroke in 32 countries (INTERSTROKE): A case-control study. The Lancet, 388(10046), 761–775. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30506-2

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