It was about this time of day six years ago that I was in bed watching TV around 8 p.m. on Sept 3, 2018. When I got up to use the restroom, my left leg wasn’t working properly. It was sluggish in responding and going where I didn’t intend it to go. It was also difficult to bear weight on that leg.
Back in bed, I could raise my leg. But, when I tried to lower it, it came crashing down. Something was clearly wrong.
Because I had spent the day moving a friend into a new apartment, and lugging heavy boxes up and down stairs, I assumed I had pinched a nerve somewhere.
The NEXT DAY, I went to see a chiropractor, who told me he thought something more sinister was going on and encouraged me to go to a clinic.
I did and a few tests were performed. A few hours later, after driving myself against medical advice, I was in the hospital having an MRI and being treated for a mild stroke.
What a wake up call! I always knew my blood pressure was high, but never bothered to treat it. My weight was pushing 280 pounds and my diet consisted of garbage.
I consider myself very fortunate that the stroke was mild and I experienced no significant problems. I could still think and, more importantly, write creatively.
There are many, many others who were not as fortunate. For them, a stroke was a life-altering, life-shattering or life-ending experience.
Since then, I can no longer walk on slopes, such as hiking on trails, without stumbling, and it’s difficult to stand on step stools. However, today I enjoy eating sushi and jalapenos — two foods I despised for most of my life.
The bottom line is, don’t ignore the warning signs of stroke, especially if you live alone!
After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.