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 Life after stroke  Strokes are the nation's third leading cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer, and takes more than 160,000 lives each year, according to the National Stroke Association. By Ronell Smith rsmith@onlineathens.com Horace Fortson wasn't anything like his normal self when he woke up two Sundays ago. Normally vibrant and talkative, the 80-year-old appeared lethargic, his speech slurred, and he complained of dizziness, said his wife Julia May Fortson, 76. A trip to Athens Regional Medical Center, where doctors performed an MRI (a scan of the brain), confirmed a stroke on the left side of the brain. Now, Julia May Fortson watches as her husband of 60 years struggles with what was once the simplest of tasks, like turning on the faucet or washing his face. Still, she is hopeful the debilitating condition won't completely rob her of the man she knew as being so full of energy. ''He thinks he can still walk and go and do,'' said Julia May Fortson, standing beside her husband's bed, her hands to her mouth, grimacing as she watched him undergo therapy. ''I think he'll be able to get back'' to his old self. Though it will likely be months before Fortson recovers much of his normal functioning, in many ways he's one of the luckiest victims. Strokes are the nation's third leading cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer, and takes more than 160,000 lives each year, according to the National Stroke Association. The condition, often called a ''brain attack,'' results from a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel or artery in the brain. Once deprived of oxygen, the cells in the immediate area of the attack die, an occurrence that often begins a cascade of effects, where surrounding cells are damaged or killed as well. The dead cells lead to a loss of ability in the area of the body where that region of the brain controlled. The key to dampening the blow from stroke, say experts, is to get help immediately once the onset of symptoms begin.  Said Athens neurologist McCord Smith, the symptoms are typically clear: sudden dizziness, sudden loss of vision, sudden numbness or weakness on one side, a decrease in the level of consciousness, or sudden confusion in understanding.''If people are experiencing those symptoms, they don't need to call their relatives or their family doctor,'' said Smith, a neurologist with Athens Neurology Associates. ''They need to call 911.'' Drugs such as clot busters and blood thinners have shown promise in the prevention of brain damage from stroke, but they are most effective when administered shortly after the onset of the attack. The problem, however, is that many people ignore the symptoms of the attack for hours -- even days. ''The quicker we can get treatment started, the less severe the damage,'' said Kaye Dawson, unit director of neuro-sciences at Athens Regional Medical Center. Smith said several groups are at risk of suffering a stroke, many through no fault of their own. People who are over 65, have a history of stroke or vascular disease in the family, or who are African American or Japanese suffer higher incidences of stroke. Also, people who live in the South, the so-called ''stroke-belt,'' or who are male suffer strokes at a higher rate. But, as Smith points out, some risk factors can be controlled to a large degree. Factors such as smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle, he said, contribute to the rate of stroke, but less so than the uncontrollable factors. ''Advancing age,'' he said, ''is the No. 1 most important risk factor for stroke.'' According to Smith, research presented at a recent neurological conference in Denver shows patients able to stay in a neurological rehabilitation center for acute and long-term care have the best result. He said St. Mary's Hospital plans to open such a center within the next year. With more than 500,000 people surviving strokes each year, the ripple-effects impact millions. Family members must learn to deal with a loved one who has lost the function of an arm or leg, or both. Hospital stays and months of therapy often are disruptive, often requiring a rearranging of priorities for entire families. The loss of independence by the victim, though, can be the hardest to take. It's been 13 years since Lou Saxon of Commerce experienced a stroke, which left her paralyzed on the left side of her body. The attack lead to months spent in the hospital and almost a year of physical therapy. She continues to wrestle with the effects today. ''I got to walk again, but I can't use my left arm at all,'' said Saxon, 63. Even through it all, she still sees herself as fortunate to be alive. ''I try not to think about it that much,'' she said. ''I just take it one day at a time.'' Even though the Fortsons will spend their 60th wedding anniversary in the hospital, Julia May Fortson isn't complaining. Fortson and daughter Carolyn talk about the man they've always known to enjoy playing with kids, going to church, and impacting his community through sharing his experiences with others. They know it will be months before he will be back to his old self, but say they are pleased by the progress they've seen him make in a short span. When the occupational therapist encouraged Horace Fortson to wheel himself out of the room in a wheelchair, he shot back with his trademark sense of humor. ''I ain't got to wheel too far?'' asked Fortson, mustering a smile. Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Tuesday, April 30, 2002. |
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