STROKE!!!! 😳😳😳

​I first went to the ER on February 25th because I felt like I might be experiencing symptoms of a TIA or so-called minor stroke. My balance was off, I was dropping things with my right hand and at times when I was standing my knees would simply collapse for no apparent reason. And during one of those episodes I fell but managed to catch myself on the kitchen counter by the sink where I was making coffee. I described it as if I had passed out but didn’t lose consciousness. 

I recently went back over my discharge paperwork from that visit and all they put is that I had gone to the ER for blurry vision. The only follow up they recommended was with an ophthalmologist. However when rereading notes I saw the following regarding my left carotid:

“ There is a large mixed density plaque with stenosis of the proximal internal carotid artery likely 75 to 80%. Moderate plaque is present in the carotid siphon as well. Left ophthalmic artery is patent approximately.”

Additionally, they wrote “there is a large mixed density plaque at the left carotid bifurcation with stenosis of the proximal internal carotid artery likely 75 to 80%. Consider carotid ultrasound for further evaluation of this potentially hemodynamically significant lesion”

Based on those notes, wouldn’t it seem that someone should have referred me for follow up on the carotid issue? That’s basically all I have to say about the February 25 visit.

That’s basically all I have to say about the February 25 visit.

The return to the ER was on April 13 because I had the same symptoms as before in addition to what was described as kaleidoscopic vision in the bottom portion of my left eye the only place I have vision in that eye after my two previous Eye strokes.

The significance of these pictures lies in the times they were taken. I took the picture of the bracelet at 1:27 after we’d been in the ER for a while. The picture when I was finally given a bed behind a curtain in the hall was taken at 8:54 we had been in the waiting room or taken back for either a CT scan or an MRI. The first doctor I saw did stop to talk with us in the waiting room after her shift was over around 7:30 to give us an update on what was happening. (They were waiting to talk to the vascular surgeon about my case but she was in surgery and they didn’t know how long that might be.)