A Lesson Learned

A dear friend I haven't seen in 17 years, but have known since we were kids, wished me a speedy recovery from the stroke I suffered two months ago. She went on to offer encouragement, saying that I was strong and would overcome this set back. I was supposed to look after my health better than I had been doing.

I suggested we get together for tea or coffee, once I recovered enough, so we could catch up on all the stuff that's happened since we last saw each other. I had been meaning to call her to set a date, but kept putting it off until "tomorrow".

On Saturday June 18, I received a message from her son. His mother, Susan, had passed away early that morning. She suffered a mild stroke, just like mine, and then, while at the hospital, she had another stroke. Susan never recovered, and according to her wishes was taken off life support and died.

Her funeral was today, and I was there.

That Happened To Me

Two months ago I suffered a stroke. Up until then, aside from being a bit overweight, out of shape, and a moderate smoker, I considered myself fairly healthy for a man my age.

My family has always been on my case to see a doctor for a checkup and to stop smoking. My argument was why should I waste valuable health resources when I feel good and I'm not sick. I was invincible. Then boom! Out of the blue I was felled.

Tests done at the hospital revealed, along with being overweight, I also had high blood pressure and diabetes. Being a smoker and not in the best of physical shape made me a prime candidate for stroke or heart attack. All stuff that could have been dealt with a few years ago had I gone for an annual checkup.

As it turned out, the stroke was of the mild type, causing only minor right side paralysis which began to clear up within a week. It could have been much, much worse. I am now fully recovered and following my doctors advice. My second grandchild is on the way and I want to be around to meet her.