The season ends before it starts....

[Ten Bears]

My wife had her PFO and ASD repaired a couple of years ago. Thankfully, it was caught before a stroke. She now has 2 different devices "patching" the holes (4 total holes: 3 ASD, 1 PFO). She is an active crossfitter and weightlifter with zero limitations. She went through years as a high level endurance athlete, including collegiate swimming, with zero indications of any problems. Her heart is at 100% function now.

Brains do heal and re-wire, but it's not a fast process. Be patient but optimistic.

You've got this my friend.

Happy to hear your sister is doing well. Can't believe she has that many patches in the ticker.
Definitely more concerned about the brain at this point, it's an odd feeling being this "off"

 

[Ten Bears]

From years working as commercial diver/dive supervisor/ and as it pertains to this a DMT (dive medic technician) it really sounds like you have a fairly common congenital heart issue. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a fairly common, congenital, generally benign hole between the heart's left and right atria. Is this what you were diagnosed with? If so most all divers I know who came to be diagnosed with PFO went on to live normal lives. Some could never work as commercial divers again but lived normal lives. Sorry to hear. I’m curious if that’s what the diagnosis was. On another note it’s absolutely nuts to me how many Dr just throw a dart at a dart board for a diagnosis. “Oh it’s just an ear infection”. It’s absolutely laughable how many times family or friends need a 2nd or 3rd opinion to get it right. Honestly a 16yo could type symptoms into their phone and prob diagnose better than some practicing Drs out there. 8 plus years of school. Smh

Wishing you a speedy recovery man!

now I know why they stressed no diving for me!

thanks for the words.

 

[Ten Bears]

Sounds like you had what we call a paradoxical stroke probably in part due to your PFO. Glad to hear that they got it under control. Wishing you a speedy and full recovery. This article may help shed some light on your condition and treatment options.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851248/

Thank you, I actually read that article while lying in the stroke ward. Really google doctored the hell out of myself lying there, lol.

 

[Ten Bears]

Man, this story hits home for me also. I was fighting terrible headaches for over ten years. I was never one to go to the doctor. Finally, last October, I couldn't take it anymore. I went to the doctor, had a scan, and went straight into surgery. They found a tumor the size of a baseball on my right frontal lobe. It was removed and found to be benign. The surgery was on Tuesday morning, and I woke up on the following Saturday. I thought I would never walk again. The left side of my body was paralyzed. That soon went away and I was on my way to recovering...or so I thought. After a month in the hospital, and extensive PT to get myself walking again, I was recovering well according to my doctors. Two months later I learned from another scan that the tumor was growing back fast. I had to take radiation treatments. After two of those, I had seizures. I lost my drivers license, missed five months of work, and had to move out of my house. Its been an absolute nightmare but I'm getting better. I shot sporting clays for the first time since surgery this past Sunday. Did better than I thought I would. I actually ran across a road today while crossing in front of a car. Huge accomplishment at the moment. I will hunt again and so will you. I'm not real familiar with the limitations of a stroke, but I'm very close in age to you and understand these brain injuries now. It takes a lot of time. My doctors told me it would take a year at least to recover. I didn't believe them then, but do now. My legs are getting stronger, but my vision and hearing is compromised. If you would like to ask more questions about what I've been through, feel free to PM me. People came out of the woodwork to be there for me when I needed them. I'd be happy to help you out in any way that I can. Good Luck!

Thanks Sekora, sounds like you have been through it this past year. Glad to hear progress is being made and life is slowly coming back to normal.

Are you free of the headaches now ? Can't wait for the headaches to subside more.

 

[Sekora]

Yes it was last November that I had the surgery. I was hiking in the mountains on Sunday and in surgery on Tuesday. I missed my deer season last year but was able to make it out on the last day of muzzleloader season with the help of some friends. I knew I probably wouldn't see anything, since I was limited to being close to the vehicle, but it was nice to get out.

I have not had a headache since, other than during radiation which was expected. My brain was severely swollen from the tumor, and afterwards from the surgery and the radiation. After it subsided, I feel better than I have in years, just really weak still.

 

[257Roberts]

Prayers and best wishes!

 

[Still Hunter]

Ten Bears, just another thought for you, if you can get a medical provider statement your surgeon or doctor to substantiate that you can no longer physically shoot your bow due to the stroke, you can possibly be able to get a disability utilize a crossbow during archery season. You will need to do a little research to confirm your eligibility. I do not know what state you planned to hunt but this is the link to the form for Colorado. Again, wishing you the best and concentrate on getting healthy. All that conditioning you did was preparation to put you in excellent condition to be successful in this challenge you facing and was time well spent. Take it one day at at a time.

https://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/A...PermitApplication.pdf#search=crossbow license

 

[Muttman]

I’ve been there
I’ve recovered from 3 strokes 7-10 days apart.
No permanent damage, some slight short term memory loss now & then, & word finding issues (speech therapist definition)
I’m currently 46, they happened when I was 44, the day after Xmas 12-26-17.
The term they gave to my strokes is “cryptogenitic” strokes. Basically means - we don’t know what the fuc* caused them (neurologists exact words, she so awesome)

A short history of what led me to the hospital:
Day after Xmas my family & I had decided to go see the new Star Wars (imma big fan) movie @ 8:30pm. I had been relaxing @ home with everyone, an hour b4 we had to leave I started to feel as if my mind was in a fog. No pain just kinda clueless. We (wife, son 23, son 18, sons girlfriend 18) all got into my truck, Conversation was going on, I would get asked questions but I couldn’t answer or didn’t know how too, when I tried to speak words wouldn’t come out. Apparently I was driving w/ my brights on & the kids were trying to tell me but I didn’t hear them. So they chalked it up to dad is being ornery. As we walked In to theater I stayed a little back, tried to talk out loud & I couldn’t annunciate my words & it was like a person learning a new language. They asked if I wanted popcorn or candy & I was to embarrassed to answer so I just shook my head no. Went into bathroom tried talking out loud again, no luck. Still no pain or numbness. So I just assumed that whatever was going on would go away, like most men would.
Movie starts & my left arm & leg start to tingle & go numb. I start bouncing my leg thinking I’ve got a dead leg, & opening & clenching my fist. Start to fidget. Wife asks if I need to use restroom multiple times & I shake head no. I sit thru the whole movie, (like a dumbass) numbness getting worse. Movies over (3hrs later) I tell my wife to the best of my ability take me to hospital. She asked why & I say I can’t talk & my left side is numb. Kids ask why mom is driving, cuz I always drive. She says dad needs to go to hospital. Everyone in shock cuz they still think I’m being ornery. Panic starts to set in with everyone.
Hospital is 10 min away. I walk in wife tells ER nurse what my symptoms are. They ask me questions & I can only mumble. Rush right back to ER, Code purple go across hospital, doctors come right away start asking & probing. I’m taken back for a CT scan within 10min. They are thinking stroke or heart attack. I’m starting to feel a little better. Get back to ER room, see the look in my family’s eyes, they are scared. I’m still not believing anything could be happening to me. Doctor ask me if I want to read a paper describing what the next steps are going to be based off my lab/screening results. I shake my head. I look @ paper can read each individual word but cannot put any sentences together. No comprehension. I’m told there’s a time window for reversing effects of a stroke & I’m outside of it, cuz of my stubbornness.
I’m admitted to ICU. Stay there 4 1/2 days.
MRI done, ekg’s, ultrasounds, so many vials of blood taken I lost count. I have an endoscope to look @ backside of my heart to rule out a hole in my heart. All tests come back negative, except MRI shows 2 definite strokes, one 7-10 days prior to my arrival @ hospital, & the one that brought me there. Both of these in my left side of brain. They could never find any evidence, what caused me to lose feeling in left arm & leg. A neurologist sees me the next morning & runs physical tests on me. I pass. Except speech & memory ones. I have full physical functions. They keep me for 4 days. I want to leave so bad, cuz I’m being stubborn cuz I still don’t want to believe anything has happened to me. I never get sick, I exercise regularly, eat fairly healthy. I’m discharged. Take a week off of work to let my brain start healing.
I have a loop recorder planted below my skin over heart to capture every heart beat looking for Afib.
So far heart is beating healthy as can be.
1 1/2 years later with multiple doctors, cardiologist, neurologist, specialist visits I’m healthy & have been cleared back to normal life. I’m told go live your life as your were, have fun, enjoy life cuz its too short, eat as healthy as possible, exercise regularly. I ask if I can still have a drink of alcohol every now & again. Answer is yep just don’t abuse it. Other than having a mild case of sleep apnea. Use a cpap now. I was not restricted to stay @ low elevations. I live in Salt Lake City utah, & fish/hunt regularly above 9000ft.
I was told to never drink any energy drinks, use any pre work out supplements. L-carntine ingredient is not good for brain injuries. Drink all the coffee & tea you want. And especially remove myself from any stressful situations, ie.. work environment.

I killed my biggest archery bull elk 6x6 in September last year, & my biggest mule deer 180”. All in the wasatch mountains. Never had any light headedness or issues being in the high country. Maybe the big man upstairs wanted to send me a wake up call to realize how precious life is & don’t take anything especially family for granted!!!!!
I do get real tired mentally around 10-11 each night. I now try to get 7-8 hrs of good deep sleep each night.
I don’t take days for granted anymore. Reality hit me couple months after my hospitalization, I reflected back on how selfish I was. My family was scared they were losing me. I told my wife to tell my parents I didn’t want them to come see me in hospital. I didn’t want my boys to come back either. I told my wife to go home I’m fine, I’m supposed to be the guy/dad everyone looks to for help & strength. I can’t have this slowing me down. I was embarrassed...... I tried to laugh it off, like I do with everything. I try not to take most things serious

Don’t be stubborn ask for help, it’s not a sign of weakness.

So I hope my story helps you with your recovery. Stay strong, do everything the doctors/specialist ask of you. As everyone else has said, bodies are amazing fine tuned machines, they can rewire themselves with time, the right mentality, & good love from family.

I’m getting ready for the bow hunt that opens here in Utah in 2 weeks, I’ll be in Gods country chasing my dreams. With my family & friends..

I was just blessed with my first grandchild yesterday, & I cried by myself reflecting back to that day. What if I would’ve died....... I would’ve missed one the most precious moments in my life..

good luck to all!!!

Matt
#callofthewild #bugleofthebullelk #family


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ten Bears]

I’ve been there
I’ve recovered from 3 strokes 7-10 days apart.
No permanent damage, some slight short term memory loss now & then, & word finding issues (speech therapist definition)
I’m currently 46, they happened when I was 44, the day after Xmas 12-26-17.
The term they gave to my strokes is “cryptogenitic” strokes. Basically means - we don’t know what the fuc* caused them (neurologists exact words, she so awesome)

A short history of what led me to the hospital:
Day after Xmas my family & I had decided to go see the new Star Wars (imma big fan) movie @ 8:30pm. I had been relaxing @ home with everyone, an hour b4 we had to leave I started to feel as if my mind was in a fog. No pain just kinda clueless. We (wife, son 23, son 18, sons girlfriend 18) all got into my truck, Conversation was going on, I would get asked questions but I couldn’t answer or didn’t know how too, when I tried to speak words wouldn’t come out. Apparently I was driving w/ my brights on & the kids were trying to tell me but I didn’t hear them. So they chalked it up to dad is being ornery. As we walked In to theater I stayed a little back, tried to talk out loud & I couldn’t annunciate my words & it was like a person learning a new language. They asked if I wanted popcorn or candy & I was to embarrassed to answer so I just shook my head no. Went into bathroom tried talking out loud again, no luck. Still no pain or numbness. So I just assumed that whatever was going on would go away, like most men would.
Movie starts & my left arm & leg start to tingle & go numb. I start bouncing my leg thinking I’ve got a dead leg, & opening & clenching my fist. Start to fidget. Wife asks if I need to use restroom multiple times & I shake head no. I sit thru the whole movie, (like a dumbass) numbness getting worse. Movies over (3hrs later) I tell my wife to the best of my ability take me to hospital. She asked why & I say I can’t talk & my left side is numb. Kids ask why mom is driving, cuz I always drive. She says dad needs to go to hospital. Everyone in shock cuz they still think I’m being ornery. Panic starts to set in with everyone.
Hospital is 10 min away. I walk in wife tells ER nurse what my symptoms are. They ask me questions & I can only mumble. Rush right back to ER, Code purple go across hospital, doctors come right away start asking & probing. I’m taken back for a CT scan within 10min. They are thinking stroke or heart attack. I’m starting to feel a little better. Get back to ER room, see the look in my family’s eyes, they are scared. I’m still not believing anything could be happening to me. Doctor ask me if I want to read a paper describing what the next steps are going to be based off my lab/screening results. I shake my head. I look @ paper can read each individual word but cannot put any sentences together. No comprehension. I’m told there’s a time window for reversing effects of a stroke & I’m outside of it, cuz of my stubbornness.
I’m admitted to ICU. Stay there 4 1/2 days.
MRI done, ekg’s, ultrasounds, so many vials of blood taken I lost count. I have an endoscope to look @ backside of my heart to rule out a hole in my heart. All tests come back negative, except MRI shows 2 definite strokes, one 7-10 days prior to my arrival @ hospital, & the one that brought me there. Both of these in my left side of brain. They could never find any evidence, what caused me to lose feeling in left arm & leg. A neurologist sees me the next morning & runs physical tests on me. I pass. Except speech & memory ones. I have full physical functions. They keep me for 4 days. I want to leave so bad, cuz I’m being stubborn cuz I still don’t want to believe anything has happened to me. I never get sick, I exercise regularly, eat fairly healthy. I’m discharged. Take a week off of work to let my brain start healing.
I have a loop recorder planted below my skin over heart to capture every heart beat looking for Afib.
So far heart is beating healthy as can be.
1 1/2 years later with multiple doctors, cardiologist, neurologist, specialist visits I’m healthy & have been cleared back to normal life. I’m told go live your life as your were, have fun, enjoy life cuz its too short, eat as healthy as possible, exercise regularly. I ask if I can still have a drink of alcohol every now & again. Answer is yep just don’t abuse it. Other than having a mild case of sleep apnea. Use a cpap now. I was not restricted to stay @ low elevations. I live in Salt Lake City utah, & fish/hunt regularly above 9000ft.
I was told to never drink any energy drinks, use any pre work out supplements. L-carntine ingredient is not good for brain injuries. Drink all the coffee & tea you want. And especially remove myself from any stressful situations, ie.. work environment.

I killed my biggest archery bull elk 6x6 in September last year, & my biggest mule deer 180”. All in the wasatch mountains. Never had any light headedness or issues being in the high country. Maybe the big man upstairs wanted to send me a wake up call to realize how precious life is & don’t take anything especially family for granted!!!!!
I do get real tired mentally around 10-11 each night. I now try to get 7-8 hrs of good deep sleep each night.
I don’t take days for granted anymore. Reality hit me couple months after my hospitalization, I reflected back on how selfish I was. My family was scared they were losing me. I told my wife to tell my parents I didn’t want them to come see me in hospital. I didn’t want my boys to come back either. I told my wife to go home I’m fine, I’m supposed to be the guy/dad everyone looks to for help & strength. I can’t have this slowing me down. I was embarrassed...... I tried to laugh it off, like I do with everything. I try not to take most things serious

Don’t be stubborn ask for help, it’s not a sign of weakness.

So I hope my story helps you with your recovery. Stay strong, do everything the doctors/specialist ask of you. As everyone else has said, bodies are amazing fine tuned machines, they can rewire themselves with time, the right mentality, & good love from family.

I’m getting ready for the bow hunt that opens here in Utah in 2 weeks, I’ll be in Gods country chasing my dreams. With my family & friends..

I was just blessed with my first grandchild yesterday, & I cried by myself reflecting back to that day. What if I would’ve died....... I would’ve missed one the most precious moments in my life..

good luck to all!!!

Matt
#callofthewild #bugleofthebullelk #family


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Matt-

Thanks for the story, hits home hard. So many similarities that it felt like deja vu. The cryptogenic stroke diagnosis is so frustrating as the not knowing has been the worst part. They still won't confirm the hole they found caused the stroke (still getting the closure regardless in 9 days) and nothing else has popped up. More bloodwork next week as they feel like I could have inherited hemacromotosis from my long estranged father. I can't count how much blood has been drawn either.

I totally understand the stubbornness, it's so tough to let it go. I too wouldn't let anyone come up to the hospital as I didn't want people to see me "weak" Hell, I haven't even told my mom the surgery date, although I could technically file that under not having stress department.

I have the loop recorder "installed" also, thing honestly creeps me the hell out. Has electrocardio found anything at all with your rhythm ? I can't sleep on my left side still as it bothers me, I hope it goes away soon. Did you get stuck on blood thinners also ?

It's reliving to hear someone who has been there done that with this and made it back in the woods. Not just made it back in the woods but flourished. Hunting is the spark for me every year to really keep fit physically and mentally, the older I get the more I appreciate my time in the woods and understand what it takes to keep going. This experience is only going to enrich it more.

Congrats on the birth of your grandchild and good luck to you this season.
Thanks for sharing your story and it definitely helped my spirit.

-John

 

[Still Hunter]

Wow... great testament to living life to the fullest. Lost my mom July 16th. She was 84. Definitely changing priorities.

 

[Sekora]

Matt and John,

Thank you both for posting your stories. I thought I was the only young guy, in good shape, who had to deal with brain issues. I was told by my doctors when I asked what caused my tumor; "Bad luck. Some people get these things, and you are one of those people." Its great to hear you made it back in the woods, doing what you love. I'm sure John and I will get there soon too.

 

[Muttman]

Matt-

Thanks for the story, hits home hard. So many similarities that it felt like deja vu. The cryptogenic stroke diagnosis is so frustrating as the not knowing has been the worst part. They still won't confirm the hole they found caused the stroke (still getting the closure regardless in 9 days) and nothing else has popped up. More bloodwork next week as they feel like I could have inherited hemacromotosis from my long estranged father. I can't count how much blood has been drawn either.

I totally understand the stubbornness, it's so tough to let it go. I too wouldn't let anyone come up to the hospital as I didn't want people to see me "weak" Hell, I haven't even told my mom the surgery date, although I could technically file that under not having stress department.

I have the loop recorder "installed" also, thing honestly creeps me the hell out. Has electrocardio found anything at all with your rhythm ? I can't sleep on my left side still as it bothers me, I hope it goes away soon. Did you get stuck on blood thinners also ?

It's reliving to hear someone who has been there done that with this and made it back in the woods. Not just made it back in the woods but flourished. Hunting is the spark for me every year to really keep fit physically and mentally, the older I get the more I appreciate my time in the woods and understand what it takes to keep going. This experience is only going to enrich it more.

Congrats on the birth of your grandchild and good luck to you this season.
Thanks for sharing your story and it definitely helped my spirit.

-John

John,

Sorry for late reply don’t get on here to often.
Been out scouting & checking game cams.

To answer of few of your questions:

Yes I have been put on a blood thinner - atorvastatin - & baby aspirin.
I’ve asked if I need to keep taking the statin drug as it’s not good for your kidneys & liver. Docs said let’s keep checking your blood work every 6 months for the next couple years & get a trend of all your stats.

My loop recorder has found nothing abnormal with my hearts rhythm, or anything to worry about . My neurologist reviewed the most recent data in my account and said all looks normal. Also I have had no issues with the device bothering me in anything I do. That sucks you are having issues.

I’ll be chasing the big stinky wapitis on the 17th this month.
As you stated every moment in the woods is a blessing & nothing is taken for granted anymore.

Good luck to you in your recovery, stay positive & trust the process & you’ll be out chasing critters & hiking in gods country.

If you wanna stay in touch send me a message & we can stay connected.

Matt


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[Ross]

Best of luck on the recovery and future hunts