PSA: the clock is striking thirteen

[truepenny]

64 hours (and counting) ago, elisem had a stroke. Because she got to the hospital right away, she is coming out of it with no permanent damage.

What Elise would like people to do for her is to spread the word. The efficacy of TPA (tissue plasminogen activator, the drug that means Elise is coming out of this unharmed) depends on its being administered within a very narrow time window. Learn the symptoms of stroke, and if you observe these symptoms in yourself, a friend, family member, co-worker, etc., CALL 911. If you're not sure, CALL 911. This is a case where better safe than sorry are truly words to live by.

Comments

[kimboosan.livejournal.com]

Or, don't call 911 and watch your loved one suffer for the rest of his life from brain damage.

I live with this regret every day, and no amount of shredding myself up over it will change the fact that my father lived out his final years with a severely reduced physical and mental capacity that was nearly wholly avoidable, according to his doctors.

Don't doubt yourself, don't question, don't ask the person if they want help: CALL 911!

I'm very glad elisem is recovering. <3

[melonaise.livejournal.com]

A seizure for a person who has no history of seizures is also a possible sign of a stroke, although a relatively rare one. My partner did not call 911 when I had my first seizure. Although it ended up not being anything that emergency services could help, that was still a bad decision on his part.

[fidelioscabinet.livejournal.com]

Yes.

The term "wonder drug" has been abused to the point where it's mostly a joke, but TPA, administered within that window, does wonders. If you aren't sure you can afford to call--with a stroke (and you can't know it's not a stroke until you're at the hospital), you can't afford NOT to call.