My Aunt Lois passed away recently. She was in perfect health and she was 91. We were always amazed when we saw her because she never seemed to change-she never seemed to age. She never stopped working. She was never in the hospital until recently.

Just a couple of weeks before she died, she was at the reunion and enjoying her time wth everyone there. (I wished I had been there to see her one last time.) Everyone remarked how wonderful she looked. Then a week after the reunion, she had a stroke.

As I was reading today, I came across this article about strokes, so I wanted to share it.

The Symptoms of a Stroke 

This simple three step test developed by researchers is highly effective in identifying a stroke. If you suspect a stroke try the following three things – if the person fails any of them, get to the ER as quickly as possible for an evaluation. 

1. Smile. Ask the person to smile. Look for asymmetry (unevenness) in their facial expressions (for example, if one corner at their mouth droops).

2. Raise Both Arms. Ask the person to raise both arms. Look for asymmetry in the height they can raise them. 

3. Repeat a Simple Sentence. Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase, such as, “No ifs, ands, or buts.” Check for slurring or other disruptions of speech. 

National Stroke Association

http://www.stroke.org

Goodbye to another aunt. I will miss her wonderful example of how to age beautifully. I can hardly believe I won’t see her again.