LOOKING BACK

This time, two years ago, i was on a hospital bed trying to process an information given me -- I had a mild stroke. CT-Scan showed, i had a burst vein in my brain that looks like a tiny dot and technically called a HEMORRHAGIC STROKE.

My speech was slurred, part of my face drooped or visibly sagged but i was back to "normal" after a few hours and was discharged from the hospital after a couple of days.

I had no idea " the big one " will strike shortly after. After ten days, i had a ISCHEMIC STROKE or there was a blockage in my brain, in a cerebral artery, that occurred where my motor skills "command center" is -- my right side slowly took a leave of absence and i was left with just "half a body".  Well, that's another story.

Looking back, what could have i done differently in those ten days, i asked myself soon after and still when i recall what happened. Looking back... none ... in ten days. I was already STROKE waiting to happen.

My blood sugar was in the high 200, blood pressure not straying far from 140-180 / 100, my mind on my work and other things 24/7. I thought i can manage... i was only 43 anyway, i can take it... or so i thought.

Looking back, way way before May 8, 2012... i should have paid attention at the time my blood pressure started displaying abnormal rates more often, when my weight almost doubled, when my laboratory results gave high non-normal values. I should have paid attention years ago. Then why didn't i?

I did not pay attention because there was no pain. I did not pay attention because there was NO pain. How stupid was that?

Looking back, i thought then that there were NO immediate concerns because i was not feeling any pain. There was no discomfort. Nothing could be terribly wrong if there is no pain right? WRONG.

Looking back, i know now that our chances of avoiding health problems is higher IF we pay attention to what our body is telling us. When our body is screaming at us through our laboratory results or random checks on our vital signs -- blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, triglycerides, creatinine etc. Or whispering silently when we're always stressed or when we look in the mirror or step on the scale.

LISTEN AND PAY ATTENTION. Act to remedy and correct where need be ASAP - as soon as possible. Not ten days before or a week BEFORE the major stroke or heart attack. Not at stage 3 or 4 of cancer. Not before a limb is set to be amputated or an eye goes blind. As soon as you know you're no longer in the healthy range is the best time to act. Then, our chances of a good fight is on our side.

What-you-don't-know-won't-hurt-you DOES NOT apply to our health. We need to know the status of our health all the time so we don't get hurt.

Looking back, i am grateful to have come a long way from where i was two years ago. But, I know now that when my body is telling me something, i stand at full attention.

And you should too. :)