Thank you Imgur! You may have just saved a life!

May 6, 2017 9:13 PM

paistykakes

Views

198102

Likes

3980

Dislikes

126

I can't remember what the post was titled or who posted it and I would love to thank them for sharing that invaluable info!

My brother's graduation was today and my family and I went over to his town house to celebrate and have burgers. My grandmother had left to the bathroom and when she came back to sit down half her face was limp.

We tried talking to her but she couldn't understand us and was unable to respond. She just looked bewildered at us.

I remembered the post I saw about diagnosing strokes and the F.A.S.T. method (Face Arms Speech Time) and noted the last time she was acting normally. (1:33pm)

I could see half her face was drooping and tried to get her to smile, but she just looked at me. Then I tried to get her to raise her arms but she still just looked at me. Then I asked her to tell me her name but she didn't respond.

We called 911 and the EMT'S got there at 1:41. I was very impressed with their response time. She was in the hospital being looked at about 30 minutes after the call.

She was airlifted to UAB hospital not long ago.

My grandmother on the way to the chopper.

Chopper is on the way.

I pray everything is alright. Will try to make updates.

If anyone can remember the post from a few days ago about stroke diagnosis (it was an actual advice mallard) please link it so I can thank that person from the bottom of my heart!

tl;dr: My grandmother had a stroke and a post on Imgur told me how to diagnose symptoms of a stroke. And was able to immediately help and not freeze up!

*Update: She is doing well. The surgeons at UAB were able to remove the clot and she is now recovering in the NICU. The neurosurgeon that operated told us that the operation couldn't have gone much better for an woman her age. She is alert and is talking with us, which is a MAJOR relief. ICU nurse said she has about a week of recovery which my grandmother wont be happy with considering how active she is lol.

I found the post I was referring to. I urge all of you to familiarize yourselves with emergency diagnostics like these. You will never know when you will need them.
https://imgur.com/gallery/wFHvqfs

 Thank all of you for your support! It really means alot!

*FP edit: Holy cow I hit the Front Page?! Send adorable dogos... and bewbs :p

Fellow Alabamian here. Hope she recovers

9 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

Fellow Alabama Imgurian! I hope she's making a swift recovery.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I see this more than I care too. May your grandmother recover and live life again. She may have another stroke when the flight bill comes in

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Bwahahaha XD they have good insurance and a huge family that will take care of anything they need.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Another reason Folders could be helpful. Occasionally review of life saving tips.

9 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

I like how you slipped this in here

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I know right. how I wish there was somebody to hear our prayers (wink, wink)

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Good luck and cherish the things you have man cheers and prayers coming your way

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Hope all is good op F.A.S.T thinking

9 years ago | Likes 66 Dislikes 0

;-)

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Your pun.... I like it!

9 years ago | Likes 16 Dislikes 0

Your soul..... I like it!

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Everyone should know first aid stuff, should be thought in school. It does save lives

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Good Job folks remember "Time is Brain" Prayers for your Grandmother.

9 years ago | Likes 188 Dislikes 0

Yeah...I had a 68yo ER patient the other night who lay on the kitchen floor for 18 hrs having a stroke. Wife: I thought he was tired.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

PROTECT THE PENUMBRA

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

In other words, don't sit on the couch watching golf for two days after half your face becomes paralyzed, like my dad?

9 years ago | Likes 37 Dislikes 3

Thank you!

9 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

"Time is Tissue" is what I've always remembered it as.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

My monster of a mother-in-law waited 2 full days before she took her husband to the hospital while also telling everyone that she thought

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

he had a stroke. Don't do that, folks.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Give yourself thanks for remembering what you read!! Best wishes to grandma for a quick and full recovery.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Thank you!

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Nice. Yeah, with strokes, time to treatment is often critical. It's a very good thing that you got her treatment as soon as possible.

9 years ago | Likes 28 Dislikes 0

Username checks out....????

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

*writes down: "grandma, strokes: FAST"* Got it.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Well done @OP Facial paralysis can also be a sign of Bell's Palsy http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Bells-palsy/Pages/Introduction.aspx

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

True. But she couldn't speak or understand me. I always go from most severe to least when going through the emergency diagnosis I know.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I'm lucky I caught the signs so quickly so I could get her to treatment faster.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Awesome, and I hope she's okay!

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Stroke is a vascular disease and future strokes can be prevented. Look up Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn on YouTube or Google

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I wish your Grandmother the best, I recently lost my own to that exact situation, she got fast treatment as well but didnt fully recover

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I'm a Med student at UAB! I saw your grandmother's chopper come in today! Amazing docs here, she's in good hands @OP :)

9 years ago | Likes 31 Dislikes 0

Yeah she is! The docs were amazing. They got out the clot and she is recovering in the NICU. I'm gonna try to make a full update when I...

9 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 0

...get back to my computer.

9 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

PSA: a stroke is a heart attack for your brain. You are less likely to die, but the damage for the survivors is much faster and much worse.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I hope grandma is ok

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

They should teach that in schools

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I agree! Nothing is more valuable than the right info at the right time.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Hey hope your grandma is alright... you did an awesome job responding so quickly. Bravo!

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

My grandmother was on the ground for a couple hours during her stroke. The sooner help gets there the better... Good job OP

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Thank you. We were lucky it happened at the party where we could see it happen and not on the ride home or when she was home.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I had the doctor tell me to have my dad "sleep it off". He basically killed my father.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

My mom had a stroke last night. We're still waiting to hear what's happening.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

hope she will recover.. my prayers go out to u

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

But what kind of burgers tho

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I'm not sure what seasoning my bro put in them but just cheeseburgers on the grill lol. They were very good!

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

My nana had one a few weeks ago. I hope everything turns out alright.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Me too. And thank you!

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That's scary and great you knew, I hope she makes a full recovery. You gave her the best chance you could and looks like they did right too

9 years ago | Likes 76 Dislikes 0

Thank you! I'm lucky i saw that oyher post. I try to keep informed on as many emergency protocols as I can for suff exactly like this!

9 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 0

Luck is only that you saw it. Don't sell yourself short for understanding it and using it well, luck is meaningless without it

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

My grandma had a stroke when she was around 80 (she is turning 87 this summer) and the only reason that she lived was because she was

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

visiting a friend at a nursing home and she began showing signs of stroke when the nurse came in to check on my grandma's friend. The nurse

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

called for help right away and the nursing home is very close to the hospital. She had a long recovery and still does physical therapy, but

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

she's here and that's more than I could ask for. I hope your grandma has a quick and good recovery. Physical therapy is very important!

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Both my biological grandmothers passed as a result from strokes, I genuinely hope for a strong recovery and for your family to cope together

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I'm sorry to hear that. Thank you!

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Recovery can be very... difficult. If you ever want to talk about it feel free to message me. Again, best wishes to you and your family!

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I appreciate it, thank you!

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

GET ᵍʳᵃⁿᵈᵐᵃ TO THE CHOPPA !

9 years ago | Likes 771 Dislikes 1

get who to who now?

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Underrated comment on style points and hilarious allusions

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

That'll be about $40k billed to the insurance.

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

1 breath > $40K

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

How did you do that?

9 years ago | Likes 43 Dislikes 1

Carefully

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Follow the FAST method, and call 911 rapidly - read the post.

9 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 0

http://txtn.us/tiny-text

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

There you go buddy

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

ᴮᵉᶰᶦˢ

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

ᴴᵉᶫᶫᵒ ᵈᵃʳᵏᶰᵉˢˢ ᵐʸ ᵒᶫᵈ ᶠʳᶦᵉᶰᵈ

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I don't know what the post was, but be aware that the acronym for brain attacks is now BE-FAST. Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

Now that I think about it, my aunt said she did take a little stumble step. So ballance would make sense. Thanks for the info!

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Absolutely. Acting quickly is so important, there is 3-4 hour window to administering potentially life saving meds. I'm going to make a post

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I read that on the other post I saw too. I think it was referred to as the 'golden gate' or 'golden window'

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Seems to have been a thorough post! I'm glad you saw it, and I'm glad your grandmom is in such caring hands of her doctors and grandson

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0