Tuesday Update on Grandpa

After getting the ct scan results, the doctor now thinks Grandpa had a TIA. I didn't know what it was either. Google is a great thing. Here is a rundown via the American Heart Association website.

What is a TIA or transient ischemic attack?

A TIA is a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke.

Most strokes aren't preceded by TIAs. However, of the people who've had one or more TIAs, more than a third will later have a stroke. In fact, a person who's had one or more TIAs is more likely to have a stroke than someone of the same age and sex who hasn't.

TIAs are important in predicting if a stroke will occur rather than when one will happen. They can occur days, weeks or even months before a major stroke. In about half the cases, the stroke occurs within one year of the TIA.

What causes a transient ischemic attack?

TIAs occur when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery, and part of the brain doesn't get the blood it needs. The symptoms occur rapidly and last a relatively short time. Most TIAs last less than five minutes. The average is about a minute. Unlike stroke, when a TIA is over, there's no injury to the brain.

What are the symptoms of a TIA?

It's very important to recognize the warning signs of a TIA or stroke. The usual TIA symptoms are the same as those of stroke, only temporary:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
The short duration of these symptoms and lack of permanent brain injury is the main difference between TIA and stroke.

Grandpa goes back to the doctor tomorrow for more tests to determine if he has any arterial blockage. If he has a significant amount, he will need to undergo surgery to correct the problem.

I have much to say about all of this, but am so tired and honestly, don't feel much like writing tonight. I would like to say thank you again to everyone. The smallest gestures mean so much... especially to Grandpa. I am not prayer warrior--in fact, I probably send up the simplest prayers God ever hears, but I truly believe in the power of prayers and plead with you to pray for him. Specifically, please pray that Grandpa will not have to endure a stroke or suffer the mentally and physically debilitating symptoms that would follow. Pray for his continued recovery and that he might continue to live as he has with minimal assistance. God can do anything.

Angela