World Stroke Day
Today is World Stroke Day and something I feel compelled to speak abut, despite my hesitancy because it’s quite emotional and private. I’m still wrestling with the fact that stroke is something that has impacted me. It’s important though to share our stories, embrace our vulnerabilities, and get important conversations started. World Stroke Day seeks to raise awareness for stroke, the second leading cause of death. A stroke can happen to anyone, at anytime and anywhere. Young or old, completely healthy or suffering from a pre-existing condition, anyone can fall victim. With stroke it’s important to act FAST and to know what to look out for. I’d urge you all to go to https://www.worldstrokecampaign.org for a variety of resources. It takes just a few minutes to educate yourself and you just might save a life! Also check out www.stroke.org
As always, I also wanted to bring attention to the importance of compassion, understanding, and conversations surrounding mental health. Over the past few years stroke has taken so much from me, but it’s also given so much TO me. Mike and I are both stroke survivors. I witnessed his and it just about broke me. I’ve never been so terrified in my life. The PTSD and trauma I experienced following his episode is one of the most difficult things I’ve been through, even more difficult than all of my own medical traumas combined. It took me well over a year-and-a-half, and extensive therapy, to get that PTSD and anxiety under control.
Around the same time that all of this was occurring, I learned that I had also had a (silent) stroke sometime within the past few years. I have lost my peripheral vision in the lower left quadrants of both my eyes. This loss subsequently caused my lack of confidence in driving, something that’s been particularly tough to wrestle with. This silent stroke lurked and lingered for years. So many symptoms that I chalked up to severe anxiety and panic probably stemmed from this event (which then in turn fueled the panic and anxiety) It’s driven me nuts that I don’t know exactly when it happened. When were those bits of freedom were taken? Looking back, there are a number of times I can recall that it could happened....when things were very off or I was unwell. I felt violated. I felt like I was recovering unknowingly and thus not in the proper way because I wasn’t aware. I thought so much of my anxiety was just beyond out of control. I felt awful about myself. I experienced massive mood swings. To this day I still battle some brain fog and get jumbled. I do a good job of hiding it, you’d probably never know. I am beyond blessed that there wasn’t more damage. The same goes for Mike.
My stroke may have taken my peripheral vision, some of my confidence, some of my peace of mind. But it also gave me the greatest appreciation for our bodies. For our strength, both physically and mentally. I reached rock bottom and climbed back out, stronger than ever. I learned to prioritize my health even more, especially my mental health. I am proud to advocate for mental health and work to decrease the stigma surrounding it. Life throws some tough shiiiit at people and it’s important to ASK for help. Asking for help makes you strong, not weak. Be compassionate. You never know what is going on for someone under the surface. I have also prioritized my physical health and am happy to report I am in the best physical shape I’ve been in. I take care of myself the absolute best I can. Most importantly, these past few tumultuous years have showed me who in my life is important and whose not. Those who have showed up showed up hard. Our circle is tight but they are absolutely freaking amazing.
Life is precious. Take care of your bodies! Anything can happen to anyone at any time! Educate yourself. Spread awareness. Practice kindness. Let’s make this world happier and healthier one step at a time.
xo,
K
