It was January 30, 2015. Billie Jo and I were attending a home Tiger basketball game. The Tigers were winning, the crowd was loud and supportive of their team, and all was good until it wasn’t! I had been blessed with good health, a great job, and a wonderful family; that was about to change!
Toward the end of the Tigers boys’ game, I lost control of my right arm; my fingers were moving but I was not moving them. My senses were hazy and my cognitive ability was very limited. Billie Jo noticed that I was having trouble, so at the end of the game, medical assistance was requested.
After a quick examination by the medical personnel who were so generous to help, an ambulance was called. With the Fort Scott fire department also present, I was transported immediately to the Mercy ER.
When I arrived at the Mercy ER, the emergency department team quickly assessed me and ordered a CT scan. The ER team also utilized the telemedicine program for a second set of eyes to make a diagnosis.
It was determined that I had experienced a stroke. Of course, time is of the essence and within minutes of the diagnosis the ER team gave me a tPA injection, which is a clot buster drug.
My condition before receiving the drug consisted of very slurred speech, a mind that did not know my birthday or how old I was, and a lack of mental awareness. I was 67 years old at this time but I tried to claim a much younger age of 51. It did not work!
A medical helicopter was requested and I was flown to the St. Luke’s hospital in Kansas City. On the helicopter ride my memory and my speech slowly returned. Upon arriving at St. Luke’s I was a 2 (minor stroke) on the stroke severity rating, down from a 12 (moderate stroke) rating at the Mercy ER. Thank you tPA!
I stayed at St. Luke’s from early Saturday morning to late Tuesday evening. I think about and thank the Lord that I was blessed with so many caring medical personnel who virtually saved my life.
I think about the ER vote to be held on May 14, with some early voting. The ER was such a critical factor in my life, and without the immediate attention and treatment that I received I know that I would have had life long challenges with my health.
I have four great grandchildren, three living in Fort Scott. I am able to play with them, support them in their activities, as well as enjoying my entire family – all because seconds and the ER mattered!
I will vote YES for the ER, not just because the ER saved my life, but because the ER will save so many other lives! Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States, and is a major cause of serious disability for adults. It is preventable and treatable, but time is critical. Every year more than 795,000 Americans will suffer a stroke.
An ER will give our citizens a better chance to survive critical situations. Life is precious!
Please vote YES for the ER, and please know the signs of a stroke.
Think FASST!
Face – Ask the person to smile. Does the face look uneven?
Arm – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one drift down?
Speech – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does his or her speech sound strange?
Sight – Is there a sudden loss of vision?
Time – Don’t waste time. Act fast and call 911.
Alan and Billie Jo Drake