Posted 1/24/2013 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All:
God's Grace to you all. I am an adult male (by years, not maturity), last Oct. with no warning had a stroke in my sleep, no cognitive loss, but hit my speech, and spoke alien language followed by a month or so of Mel Tillis type sp...sp...sp...speech. I have progressed well although I sometimes fear another event in the night. Fatigue was the only other residual symptom.
I am an unusually active person, climber, skiing medic with the National Ski Patrol, dive instructor and USCG Master Cpt. and have a real job on top of all that. I manage my ADD-ish life with lots of interest and activity, until now. After allot of delays and waiting and testing, I have been diagnosed with a PFO, a leaky one, and ASD also shunting!! My Cardio has recommended closure considering the stroke, my activities and career. I am told I can resume diving activities following full recovery from the closure, which is exciting news!! Hate taking Pharma poison, but no choice, only aspirin and Plavix following surgery.
I discovered this group to better educate myself before the procedure and have enjoyed reading everyone's account. Currently I await a call for surgery within a week. At this time, my surgeon is planning on using the Helex or another depending on my structure, as discovered during the surgery. Anyone know of any new data, I should be aware of before I jump?
I'm a blessed guy, have had great Docs, some that I previously worked with in Neuro, and hyperbaric intervention with my diving career, didn't know I would be the new test subject!
I have already got a sign off from Neuro, my Cardio team anticipates that I will get their sign off in roughly 6 months. I am still actively skiing, we never know when this can end, something that I am now acutely aware of now : ). Happy to be able to pull off a 12 hour shift, even now.
Love to hear updates from Katieboot and Greenhope!
I hope everyone continues to post, even after their recovery, it is comforting to hear from others with this condition, especially those with resolved good outcomes!!
God Bless
Doug