saved a life

[avalen]

coworker had a stroke at work yesterday, he came in clocked in and I noticed he seemed a little sloppy in his shoes, walking strangely
and he sat down with the group that plays cards, but a few minutes later decided to get up and go outside. Somebody mentioned
something wasn't right and I followed him out the door to see him stumbling and struggling to stand up and walk trying to grab anything
he could to help him balance. I grabbed a chair we had by the door and put it behind him telling him to sit down now. Then my first aid training kicked in, I had him smile and stick out his tongue, all was good there but he said his arm was weak. Somebody got the dispatcher and he came out said he was calling rescue. I stayed with him and asked him again to smile and by the time the ambulance got there his
smile was no longer straight. His wife called today and told us we saved his life by our quick actions. He's in ICU and has had several
more "episodes" but he's in a stroke unit so getting the care he needs. We're all hoping he heals up good after treatment and gets back
to work within a few months.
Guess if anything is going to happen to someone its good to be in a roomful of people with first aid training and that actually care. His
wife is a nurse in another hospital, she was so grateful we acted quickly.

[VickieP]

Great job, Ava!

[Bethers]

Good for you and your co-workers! Great job.

[Rufflesgurl]

Good job Ava - and thank you for being so diligent!!

Linda

[rvgrammy1953]

Yep, Good job to you, Ava...and the rest of the crew at work....

[JoanE]

We should all know the signs. Glad you did. Great job.

[mtngal]

Good for you Ava for being so willing to step up! Hoping co worker is on the road to recovery.

[BirdbyBird]

The training is one of those things that you hope you never need to use but......sure am glad that we get it ......every year...

[Liz]

Good for you Ava, you knew what to do and acted quickly.

[mitch5252]

Good job! He's lucky you were around...

[JudyJB]

Thanks for letting us know the smile and tongue tests. Maybe we can do the same ourselves for someone else someday. Good that you followed him outdoors and were around to take action.

[snowball]

Thanks for letting us know the smile and tongue tests. Maybe we can do the same ourselves for someone else someday. Good that you followed him outdoors and were around to take action.

Good for you Ava and your fellow co-workers... there are actually more "tests" that one can use but I don't remember them right now something like
6 or 7 to help you tell if some one is having a stroke..maybe someone will post what the total list is
sheila

[BarbaraRose]

Yay, Ava! There is a 3 hour window to get the right treatment for strokes, so acting quickly is very important. My dad had a massive stroke 6 years ago and luckily was found right away by a gas company repairman who stopped at the house to look at his stove and discovered my dad laying on the floor unable to get up or talk. He saved my dad's life that day. My dad got to the hospital just under 3 hours and was able to get the drugs needed to reverse the effects of the stroke. He left the hospital 3 days later with no after effects what so ever.

[carolb]

Way to go Ava!!! Hope your co-worker recovers just fine!

[grammynmaggie]

Good for you Ava and your fellow co-workers! Prayer for your friend...
donna