HOUSTON – May is Stroke Awareness Month, and every year more than 795,000 people in the U.S. have a stroke.
When it comes to having a stroke, doctors say time is of the essence.
Fortunately, Robert Nolan was just a few yards away from help, and the close proximity may have saved his life.
At 82-years-young, the Astros fan moves around his yard like a grasshopper. But on his birthday last November, while out enjoying a barbecue with his wife of 56 years, the celebration for Robert came to a screeching halt when he started choking.
“Then he was drooling. Then I noticed he was trying to pick up his fork and get another bite and his hand wouldn’t maneuver,” said Linda Nolan, Robert’s wife.
She said Robert began slurring his words but still didn’t realize how serious his condition was.
“I didn’t really know what was going on other than I wanted to go home because I thought it was something I choked on,” Robert said.
His wife Linda recognized the signs of a stroke and called for help immediately at the HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest hospital, which is conveniently located right across the street from the couple.
Doctor Mohammad El-Ghanem was awaiting Robert’s arrival. After some quick screening tests, Robert was in the operating room.
“We go through the groin, within the blood vessels all the way up to the brain and just pulled the clot out,” El-Ghanem said.
The results of the nearly 20-minute procedure were instant.
“The minute I pulled the clot, he started saying thank you. He started to say his name and he started to pull with his right arm,” El-Ghanem said.
Now, the Nolans’ story is helping others understand how prevalent strokes are in the United States.
“If you look at your watch and you fast forward 40 seconds there’s one person in the US who will have a stroke, and if you fast forward four minutes, that’s someone who will die from a stroke,” El-Ghanem said.
The Nolans say Robert’s survival is a miracle.
Doctors say if you suddenly see someone experience facial asymmetry, arm or leg weakness or speech problems, call 911. While certain medical conditions like heart problems, diabetes and high blood pressure can lead to strokes, doctors say quitting smoking and reducing stress can help lessen the chances
