One ring in the dead of a
night. I was struggling to shake off my sleepiness. Half awake, my sister
hysterically informed us that our father has a heart attack, and was rushed to
the intensive care unit (ICU). He was in critical condition.
In panic, I booked an early
flight to my hometown with my brother. Our father has never been diagnosed with
any heart problem. His health to our amazing surprise, despite his 75 years of
age, showed robust display of a healthy state, except for his hyperuricemia
(asam urat) that makes his level of uric acid in the blood abnormally high.
On his 63rd anniversary, he
went so far as to drive motorcycle from Solo to Jakarta alone without prior
notice. We were shocked and mortified of this daredevil act. To our dismay, our
father lightly smiled and replied, "To commemorate this anniversary, I
want to show that I am stil fit despite my age."
It was a hairsbreadth from a
disaster. We delivered our thanks to God that our father arrived safe and sound
after his 28 hours crazy ride.
So, the shocking news took
us by surprise.
Later, it turned out that
our dad suffered hemorrhagic stroke, in which a defective artery in the brain
burst and filled the surrounding tissue with blood (cerebral hemorrhage) due to
his uncontrolled high blood pressure. It resulted in a lack of blood flow to
the brain and a build up of blood that put too much pressure on the brain.
The doctor said he was lucky
my father to be admitted in the hospital on time. The level of hemorrhage was categorized
medium. Provided correctly treated, the blood could lessen and cleaned without
getting a braniac surgery.
However, it took times to
stabilize his blood pressure to its normal level due to the hemorrhage. The
condition put our dad in a state of delirium when we got to the hospital. One
leg and one arm had begun flapping uncontrollably. He was still under thorough
observation in the ICU, and given an oxygen tank to help him breathe. An IV was
attached to him along with other tubes to deliver food substance through his
nose. It was a heartbreaking sight.
After four days, my dad was
admitted out of the ICU. His life was no longer in a grave danger. However,
like most stroke victims, he would require rehabilitation after the event,
generally dependent on the area of the brain and the amount of tissue that was
damaged.
The left side of my dad was
paralyzed, although he still could move them occasionally in random. Due to his
age, it would be harder to get him heal. The doctor said his rehabilitation process
to include speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
“Family support is vital for
his recovery. You have brace your family to be patient no matter what
circumstances might turn out.” The doctor smiled gently at us.
Indeed, he was right. My dad
changed. It took greater strength to care for him. Yet, he is the luckiest man
on earth to have such a caring and patient wife as my mum.
Surfing on the net, I found
that stroke is not reserved only for elderly. Nowadays, regardless of age,
stroke can strike its most fatal blow. It can also be genetic related to family
history of stroke. Making some inquiries around while my extended kin gathered,
I learnt that my great grandfather and my grandmother died due to stroke
including my father’s brother. I also have one aunt who fell into the same
fate, living with paralyzed condition.
A few years back, my cousin
had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or mini stroke caused by a temporary
disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain. It caused symptoms similar
to those of a stroke, having visual disturbance and numbness or weakness in the
arms and legs. One side of his mouth dropped when he tried to speak. Luckily,
these effects only last a few moments and fully resolved within 24 hours after
being checked and treated in the hospital immediately.
Unlike my dad, my cousin’s
attack is partly the result of his unhealthy life style. He’s been constantly
working so hard until late at night, often until morning again. He drank lots
of coffee and smoked to keep him awake and fresh. He didn't have enough rest
and sleep. He didn't work out as his work consumed all his precious time. He
also ate mostly junk food at ubiquitous fast food restaurants around Jakarta.
Following the attack, my
cousin started to maintain a healthy life style to prevent a full,
life-threatening stroke. He knows it is now the key factor to avoid another
more serious and harmful attack. He now maintains a healthy weight, eats
healthily (goodbye to junk-food), takes regular exercise, limits coffee
consumption and stops smoking. He said he never again wanted to cross path with
the ‘silent killer.’
He is now a keen campaigner
to promote healthy life style within our extended kin, in the view that our
family has a history of stroke. He always says that the distinguishing
characteristic of stroke symptoms in their sudden onset.
Regardless of age, the
sudden appearance of any numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg,
especially on one side of the body, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, and
difficulty walking should prompt a trip to the hospital as quickly as possible.
“Say goodbye to unhealthy
life style. Open a new chapter in your life. And avoid the silent killer.” He
said half-humorously.
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