"The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger - but recognize the opportunity."
—John F. Kennedy
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Over 143,579 people die each year from stroke in the United States.
Stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States.
Each year, about 795,000 people suffer a stroke. About 600,000 of these are first attacks, and 185,000 are recurrent attacks.
Nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65. The risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55.
Strokes can—and do—occur at ANY age. Nearly one quarter of strokes occur in people under the age of 65.
Stroke death rates are higher for African Americans than for whites, even at younger ages.
Among adults age 20 and older, the prevalence of stroke in 2005 was 6,500,000 (about 2,600,000 males and 3,900,000 females).
On average, every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke.
Each year, about 55,000 more women than men have a stroke.Men’s stroke incidence rates are greater than women’s at younger ages but not at older ages. The male/female incidence ratio is 1.25 at ages 55–64; 1.50 for ages 65–74; 1.07 at 75–84 and 0.76 at 85 and older.
Of all strokes, 87 percent are ischemic, 10 percent are intracerebral hemorrhage, and 3 percent are subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Stroke accounted for about one of every 17 deaths in the United States in 2005. Stroke mortality for 2005 was 143,579 (56,586 males, 86,993 females).
From 1995–2005, the stroke death rate fell 29.7 percent and the actual number of stroke deaths declined 13.5 percent.
The risk of ischemic stroke in current smokers is about double that of nonsmokers after adjustment for other risk factors.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an independent risk factor for stroke, increasing risk about five-fold.
High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for stroke.
Copied from
StrokeCenter.org.
Impact of Stroke
About 795,000 Americans each year suffer a new or recurrent stroke. That means, on average, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds.
Stroke kills more than 137,000 people a year. That's about 1 of every 18 deaths. It's the No. 3 cause of death behind diseases of the heart and cancer.
On average, every 4 minutes someone dies of stroke.
About 40 percent of stroke deaths occur in males, and 60 percent in females.
The 2006 stroke death rates per 100,000 population for specific groups were 41.7 for white males, 41.1 for white females, 67.7 for black males and 57.0 for black females.
Americans will pay about $73.7 billion in 2010 for stroke-related medical costs and disability.
Copied from
American Stroke Association.
Well, it's a new year. A new start. I'm on my feet with the cane, out and about. Because I'm between employer insurance and Cobra, I'm taking at least a week off from rehab. When I restart, I'll be going only twice a week--once on land and once in the pool--because I only get about 18 visits. I have enough money to survive for two months, so I'm really trying to get my disability and welfare applications submitted quickly and hoping they're processed fast! I'm keeping my fingers crossed but I've heard Disability can take awhile. I'm also updating my resume and applying for part-time, telecommuting jobs. Lol. My parents still won't let me drive because of the dizziness. The depression is getting a bit better and with the Buspar I only wake up once a night. For the new year, I'm trying for forgivness and regained patience. Not going too well so far, but I have confidence that I will finally master it! Eventually...
I never realized that pride is my fatal flaw, but even after all this, it still haunts me. The realization that I'm disabled haunts me. Going in public gives me a stomachache. Running into people unexpectedly gives me a panic attack. Oh, I force myself rongto go out, but every venture drives home how limited I am...
I crave love but question if I'm worth it. I feel broken and defective. Don't get me wrong--I'm so grateful for how far i've come--I just don't know how to let go of my past--the memories of what I used to do...
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It's odd lately, but I've been remembering things from the very beginning. Most of it's just snippets of things said in front of me at the hospital, like that I was going to be paralyzed. Strangely, though, is the sudden memory of how much trouble I had breathing that day on the floor. I had remembered being afraid of asfixiating (sp),but I had forgotten not getting enough air and being convinced that I just needed to go to hospital to be given oxygen. It never even occurred to me that I was paralyzed and this was a big problem; lack of oxygen, perhaps? I'd also forgotten that my left eye wouldn't track or the pupil respond to light.
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Today I plan on finishing my disability application, so I'll try to include all the links I find helpful.
For support (especially when you can't drive):
StrokenetGovernment programs (*shudder*--welfare and such)--most are specific to Ohio, but some general:
Apply for Disability Benefits - Adult (Age 18 or Over)MedicaidODJFS Online | Ohio MedicaidOhio Department of InsuranceOverview COBRA Continuation of CoverageWelfare ProgramSocial Security Online - Apply for Disability Benefits
It occurs to me,since it's been so long since i've written, that I better catch this up. I'm down to monthly blood draws and am down to Coumadin, Atenelol, Buspar, and Warfarin. I'm walking alone at home and with a cane in public, although i did have a fall that resulted in a couple hematomas. I started aquatic therapy three times a week a couple of weeks ago and can't recommend it highly enough. Seriously, it's helping my stability so much. Um, I think that's the big stuff. Oh, and I made it through Ikea with just a walker a couple of days ago--just barely, but I was proud!
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I am fast discovering what was never mentioned--despite the fact you would think the initial trauma would the most depessing, it is now, when I am close to normal, but not normal, that I am most depressed. And to think, the doctor wanted to eliminate my anxiety meds--hell, no! I wanted more! The emotional lability is better, but the random crying jags in public are becoming a problem. What's scary is that I have so little control of them. Despite my family's supportiveness, I feel so horribly alone. Perhaps what threw me over the edge is filing for disability and welfare--I can't handle this uselessness. I want to drive again so badly, too, to get some self respect back, but my parents are leery because dizziness is still such a problem.
Basically, I'm reaching the point of depression where I'm wondering why I fought so hard to stat alive, and I don't know what to do.
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