So this weekend was Valentines Day.
I wanted it to be a super romantic weekend because I just finished nursing school and finally feel less stressed. So I woke up early and cooked us chocolate chip pancakes, eggs and bacon and then we went and got a couples massage. We then got home and started to get ready for dinner (we were going to go to a very nice restaurant). Well after I got ready I was looking at myself in the mirror and thought, "wow, my eyes look so weird." So I looked closer and noticed something was up with my pupils. I then went into the bathroom to look where the lighting was better and noticed they were still unequal.
We learned in school that the eyes are always a clue into what is going on with the brain. So I called my mom and she suggested we drive to the ER. I started putting on my shoes and suddenly got really light headed and felt sick to my stomach. I told Tyler to call 911 immediately because I knew I was having a stroke. I stuck out my tongue and took a picture and it even deviated, my right leg was tingling. I felt so weak and so tired.
Now flash back to 1999. I woke up to my dad throwing up and shaking really bad. Something was off. He was always sick but this time was different. My mom called 911 and then suddenly my dad started saying, "Oh my head, oh my head." At that point he just kind of laid down. EMS got there and stabilized him enough to get to UMC. But my super young (35 years old) dad had suffered from a full blown stroke. He had a clot in his brain that burst and there was nothing they could do. It was a heart breaking time.
Fast forward to 2008. I had just started college and was feeling like these little break outs that I kept having were ridiculous. I wanted to start birth control to see if that would help my hormones be more regular. Well lucky for me I had a fantastic doctor at the student center who got an extensive family history and decided to run some clotting disorder tests. Turns out I actually have 2 clotting disorders that must have been genetically passed down to me from my dad. Because of these clotting disorders I am at a high risk for clots so I had to be careful.
Now back to this weekend. Tyler brought me over to the couch as we waited for EMS to show up. I just kept thinking of my dad and started to feel anxious. I could tell Tyler was freaking out too. So I told him I think he should say a prayer. He gave a very sweet prayer that instantly comforted me and helped me feel the spirit. The fire department got to our house first and started the vital signs and such. By the time EMS got there and got me up to go to the ambulance my eyes were almost back to normal.
So I got taken to Centennial Hills Hospital. The hospital called a code white (stroke) and rushed me back to get a ct scan. Scan came back normal. I had less tingling and was feeling better (just super ridiculously high anxiety). The doctor still admitted me and decided I needed to get an MRI done in the morning and meet with a neurologist. I got the MRI done and that came back negative too. So I was discharge to go home with the diagnosis of TIA (transient ischemic attack- aka mini stroke). A TIA is basically a clot in the brain that doesn't cause any lasting damage. Luckily I have a hematologist already and will be seeing him asap to probably start on some blood thinners.
I couldn't help but think what caused this TIA though (besides the fact that I am a high risk for clots because of the clotting disorder). I am only 25, I am very healthy and I work out all the time. Then I remembered the last month I have had a pain in my right lower calf muscle that I thought was a strain because it hurt every time I flexed my toes. Well, that is a positive sign for blood clot in the leg, but I wasn't thinking about that OBVIOUSLY because I am so young and feel invincible! I am pretty sure now that I had a DVT in my leg and when we got the massage the clot was dislodged into my brain.
If there is one thing this scary experience has taught me it's that there is no greater thing than being surrounded by love. I am so thankful for my sweet husband that never left my side and my amazing parents that were there for me. My awesome friends that called and texted and even left nice Facebook messages. I am so thankful for those sweet thoughts and prayers. I am so thankful for my Heavenly Father who was watching me this weekend and protecting me as well as providing comfort to my family. This was a very scary experience that could have had a fatal outcome. I hope no one ever has to go through something this terrifying and if they do that they will also be able to think FAST.
Right now I am just happy to be home, recovering & snuggling with my husband and puppies.
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