From: George Batsakis
Sent: Sunday, April 07, 2002 1:55 PM
Subject: Re: Hello
Rambo
I am well. You have not heard from me as I am quite busy. It is positive to see that you have set up this web site for people who have suffered dissection's. Keep up the good work.
My stroke came out of the blue. I have always been a healthy person. I woke up on a Sunday morning at 8.00am and had planned to go to Church. I went to the bathroom and was about to commence shaving as I felt dizzy and fell on the ground. My head hit the tiles and caused a small cut in my forehead.
I called my wife and she rushed in and gave me towel to place over the cut to stop the bleeding. I was still determined to attend church. I shaved and got dressed. At the same time my son woke up and noticed my cut, he persuaded me to go to hospital. I did not want to visit the hospital as I thought I was fine, even though I felt dizzy.
We arrived at the RMH at 10.00am and they quickly cleaned my cut and gave me six (6) stiches. The doctor who was looking after me also insisted I undertake a CT scan to ensure I was ok. After I completed the CT scan I was asked to lay in bed and await for the results.
After this point the events become blurred. My son informed me that I tried to get up out of bed so I can go to the toilet and I fell in his arms. Apparently my speech become slurred and I urinated myself. I was in hospital for approximately ten (10) days and I was diagnosed as having a right internal carotid artery dissection.
How the dissection occurred no-one really knows. I was very fortunate that I had one of the best neurologist's in Australia looking after me, ie: Professor Stephen Davis.
He carried out numerous tests to find the cause. He really looked after me. After hospital I was admitted to a Rehab Hospital and I stayed for six (6) days. The main side affects from the stroke is in my left arm. I can still move it but it seems to be heavier. I also become tired very easy now and I sometimes limp.
My friends think I have no side affects as nothing is visible. However, I know I will never be the same. I have been very lucky that my wife and son have supported me through this life experience. A year has now lapsed since this event and my main form of medication is aspirin, gingko biloba & hawthorn berry.
I agree that we should support each other but we must also ensure that we lobby medical research scientists to undertake further studies on stroke prevention. It seems the medical profession know little about the brain.
I agree that one of the major causes of stroke is high blood pressure, but what causes dissections apart from Fibromuscular Dysplasia?
Finally, I would be very happy to become a member of your web - site.
Kind Regards
George
