Stroke Survivor Encourages Others to Act F.A.S.T. if They Suspect Signs of Stroke 

David Goddard, age 56 of Davison, credits his wife and the care he received in McLaren's Emergency Department for his incredible recovery from a stroke he suffered in late January of this year. Ironically, Goddard, a speech language pathologist, knows far too well the signs of stroke from his years in the profession. However, on that Sunday morning he just couldn't believe he was having a stroke, he is young, healthy, very active and it made no sense, it had to be the flu.

Goddard woke up that morning around 6 a.m. dizzy, weak and feeling sick to his stomach, he finally asked his wife for help in getting to the bathroom. His symptoms continued to get worse and he felt especially weak on his left side. His wife, an occupational therapist, is also very familiar with stroke symptoms and consequences through her work with patients. She insisted on calling 9-1-1 and she did. He was taken to McLaren's Emergency Department. Upon arrival to the hospital he was assessed and determined to indeed be suffering from a stroke. He quickly received blood work and a CT scan to see if his stroke was caused by a blockage (an Ischemic stroke) or a bleed in the brain (a hemorrhagic stroke). Goddard was suffering from a clot blocking a blood vessel, this along with his overall health evaluation, and knowing what time his symptoms started, made him eligible for tPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) a clot busting drug that can stop a stroke in its tracks. Once administered, Goddard went from having facial droop and paralysis in his left side to regaining control of his body again.

"I had no real sense of time once I arrived at the hospital but I do remember the Emergency Department team being right there waiting for me when I arrived," states Goddard. "They were comforting throughout the entire process and they explained the tPA process, risks and benefits very thoroughly to me and my wife."

With 87 percent of strokes being caused by clots, tPA is a very import treatment option. However, it can only be used within the first four hours of the onset of symptoms which is why seeking medical attention quickly is so crucial when it comes to stroke. Goddard recovered so well he only needed to have a combination of physical and occupational therapies for two weeks.

So why did someone so healthy have a stroke? Goddard's neurologist, Sunita Tummala, Medical Director of McLaren's Stroke Program, attributes the stroke to a fall he took snowboarding with his youngest son on New Year's Eve 2009. He hit his head that day and images of his brain show that he had a bleed in an artery on the left side which later became a clot. Because of the stroke it was recommended he give up his favorite hobby and he did. It will be difficult when the snow flies again later this year but he knows how important it is to have his health.

"I am so thankful to have my full faculties, if I would have been by myself that day and not gotten to the hospital I may have been paralyzed for the rest of my life, something like this keeps you grounded," states Goddard.

The American Stroke Association created the acronym F.A.S.T. to help increase public awareness about the signs of stroke.

Face-Is the person experiencing facial droop?

Arm-When the person extends both arms does one drift down?

Speech-Is the person's speech slurred?

Time-Time loss is brain loss, it you suspect someone is having a stroke call 911 right away.