Had one 15 months ago.


Was on the phone, slurring my words, and right side if my face felt numb, like a shot of novocaine from a dentist.


Didn't get my attention - stupid, huh? I just toughed it out thru the day -'I'll see how I feel in the AM'





GF convinced me I had a stroke, so drove myself to the ER. They freaked out - 'you cannot drive yourself.' Well, I just did, and I'm here, wots next.





Spent 2 days in hospital, all kinds of tests, spent $9k, -no insurance- to have them tell me 'You had a stroke, keep up on your hypertension meds, take an asprin every day, and come back in 2 weeks.'





Now, my speech is back pretty much. Except when I'm drinking- I can start slurring after 2 beers if I'm tired.


Face climbed back up to where it was - still ugly, tho.





Only lingering things is mental, which sucks.


I cannot keep up with a fast flowing multi-way conversation. eg a bunch of guys standing around demolishing a case of beer after work. I just stand and listen now. Otherwise, by the time I have a comment formed the topic has changed.


Cannot multi-task. Everything is one-thing-at-a-time. Otherwise everything gets dropped.





Biggest impact is I'm very emotional. I can burst into tears at the drop of a hat. Reading about Chris Kyle had me crying all over the keyboard. The National Anthem, sung correctly, not like the superbowl, will just turn me upside down in tears.





Another thing, I dont get upset at anything, any more. Have not had an argument with anybody, or gotton pissed off about anything, in over a year. Not much drive or ambition, either.


Just cruising thru the days.





The only thing I learned is that for the next one, get to the ER asap, within 4 hours anyway, 'cause there are ways to deal with clots caught in time.