Special thoughts needed for my mom

[Lindsey]

The doctor said it was a very small stroke. She had her MRI this afternoon and everything looks okay. There is no damage really done, and she should get back to almost normal, if not completely normal. She was doing 95% better today! She wasn't pale, she could stand and walk on her own, and her double vision almost completely cleared up. Her eyes yesterday were very jerky and today she can move them smoothly from side to side. She still has trouble looking to the right, and the doctor said that will probably continue. She is very very lucky, and I am very very lucky to still have my mom around. Tonight we had more hugs and our first ever "I love you"s
They are keeping her for the weekend so they can run more tests on Monday. She has high blood pressure, high cholesterol (for a person who has had a stroke), and the doctor wants her to make some lifestyle changes. They are going to try to figure out what caused the stroke. She is now taking three pills a day: aspirin, a blood pressure medication, and a cholesterol medication. The good news... she has been smoking since she was 14 years old, and she usually smokes 10-12 cigarettes a day. She has gone 2 full days now not even CRAVING one. And I really hope this is enough of a scare to make her really want to quit.

[gja1000]

Lindsay! I'm so happy it wasn't something more serious! A stroke is never good, but it sounds as if everything is going to be OK - as long as she takes her medications as prescribed. I know she must not be too happy about that since she hasn't been to a doctor in many years, she probably doesn't like the idea of taking medications. It is likely the high blood pressure along with maybe plaque in her carotid artery that caused the stroke. Have they done a doppler or some kind of study on the arteries in her neck? If not, they probably will.

My husband had symptoms of stroke in February - thankfully the symptoms all went away, and I hope that happens for your mom. It is very very scary, I understand that. What is important now, is that she follow the doctor's orders. And quitting smoking would be great for her. It causes your blood pressure to go up, so stopping is very important!

Get some rest, and relax. I think your mom is going to be fine!

[Lindsey]

I know they are planning on running more tests on Monday to figure out what caused it exactly. So that will probably be one of them.
Aspirin is a blood thinner, isn't it? That's one of the pills she is taking daily.

[Janet]

It so good to read that your mother is doing better. I pray she continues to improve.

[gja1000]

Yes, aspirin is a blood thinner and it is good for older people to be taking aspirin everyday. Because my husand has plaque buiildup in his carotid artery and a clot formation there, traveling to his brain, is likely what caused the stroke symptoms, then he has to take coumadin which is a more powerful blood thinner.

Until they have a better idea of what caused the stroke, aspirin is fine. You might ask if they plan to do a carotid doppler study.

[judy]

Lindsey,

I am so happy that your Mom is doing so much better! It is good that she finally had no choice but to go to a doctor. Now, whatever is going on, she will know what to do. She must be pretty strong to have had only a mild stroke after many years of smoking. I hope she can stop.

Hugs,

Judy

[Lindsey]

Well, my mom made it through the weekend okay. We got her a day pass on Saturday to go to my grandma's house to eat... they were ordering pizza and my mom had been craving pizza She said right after eating she really craved a cigarette, but that passed quickly. I think it was just being back to "normal" for those few hours.. she always smokes after eating. Back in the hospital it's not her normal life so the feeling isn't even there. It is now day 5 of her not even wanting a smoke, so I think she's well on her way to quitting completely. My dad bought her a Nicoderm patch yesterday, in case she gets the craving when she's back at home. She has never tried quitting before but I think this gave her enough of a scare to really try.
Yesterday her eyesight was back to normal, and she had more energy and was walking at a normal pace. She wanted more pj's and a housecoat that wasn't so warm so I was her personal shopper I got her two really cute pajama outfits and a nice black satin housecoat. My grandma made some wings last night, so we took a few for my mom and she wolfed them down! She's not a big fan of hospital food!
Today they are doing an ultrasound of her neck, an echocardiogram, and putting on a holtor monitor. She has to stay in the hospital for 24 hours with the monitor so she will not get out for sure before tomorrow, and most likely not until Wednesday.
I'm at work this morning but I will be leaving around noon to spend the afternoon with her in the hospital. Thanks everyone for thinking of her!