stroke – Here for Life

Having a voice when disease cuts it short

May 21, 2019

May is Better Hearing & Speech Month – a time to appreciate and celebrate speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and the field in which they practice.

SLPs are experts in communication. They treat common and complex speech and swallowing problems in both children and adults. But diving deep into an amazing spark of technology showcased in the documentary Gleason brings to the forefront hope for those battling ALS and other diseases such as cerebral palsy and stroke, who lose the ability to speak. Hennepin Healthcare offers eye gaze devices to those patients who have lost their voice.

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Local writer thanks and apologizes to neurosurgery team and ICU nurses

June 26, 20182

“Dear neurosurgery team and ICU nurses@ Hennepin Healthcare,

I was hospitalized September 20, 2017 after suffering from a subarachnoid ruptured aneurysm and stroke. I spent two weeks in the ICU.

I really can’t thank all of you enough! I wish I knew each of your names! I know that my personality in the ICU was challenging and at times extremely rude. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the excellent care you provided…. and for putting up with me! Haha

I have continued to thrive and build my strength pretty much back to normal. However as TBI survivors we are altered for life and never unscathed…. I hope you enjoy my story!” (more…)

Read Sten’s Story

May 15, 2018

Think strokes just happen to seniors? Think again. A stroke was the last thing healthy Sten Anderson thought would happen to him at the young age of 24. But it did.

This May, being Stroke Awareness Month, you should be aware that a stroke can happen at any time, at any age and even to perfectly healthy people. Sten felt a major headache come on while running on his treadmill and, although there can be different signs of stroke, there are four main ones. Educate yourself because in the case of stroke – time is critical. From the onset of a stroke to the arrival at the emergency room, damage can be minimized the quicker you get there. Move F.A.S.T.

FACE – Is their face drooping? Ask them to smile to find out.
ARMS – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
SPEECH – Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase like Mary had a little lamb. Is their speed slurred or does it sound strange?
TIME – Call 911 and note the time of the first symptom. This will help determine treatment options.

Sten was lucky, but it wasn’t without determination and lots of work. The Hennepin Stroke Center and the Knapp Rehabilitation Center were a big part of his young life. Read Sten’s story.

Think F.A.S.T. – educate yourself about the symptoms of a stroke

May 19, 2017

May is Stroke Awareness Month so it’s a good time to learn some interesting facts about strokes and the importance of recognizing the signs of a stroke. It is often thought strokes only happen to older people and that isn’t true. A stroke can happen at any age. In fact, stroke is on the rise in adults age 25-55. For people under the age of 45 almost ¾ experiencing the signs of a stroke would wait and seek medical attention only if symptoms progressed. At HCMC about half of stroke patients are younger than age 65. (more…)