STROKE: Remember the 1st Three Letters..... S. T. R.
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue
Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also an indication of a stroke.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Nurse's Heart Attack Experience
I am an ER nurse and this is the best description of this event that I have ever heard. Please read, pay attention, and send it on!
FEMALE HEART ATTACKS
I was aware that female heart attacks are different, but this is the best description I've ever read.
Women and heart attacks(Myocardial infarction). Did you know that women rarely have the same dramatic symptoms that men have when experiencing heart attack. You know, the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat, grabbing the chest & dropping to the floor that we see in the movies. Here is the story of one woman's experience with a heart attack
'I had a heart attack at about 10:30PM with NO prior exertion, NO prior emotional trauma that one would suspect might have brought it on. I was sitting all snugly & warm on a cold evening, with my purring cat in my lap, reading an interesting story my friend had sent me, and actually thinking, 'A-A-h, this is the life, all cozy and warm in my soft, cushy Lazy Boy with my feet propped up.
A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion, when you've been in a hurry and grabbed a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a dash of water, and that hurried bite seems to feel like you've swallowed a golf ball going down the esophagus in slow motion and it is most uncomfortable. You realize you shouldn't have gulped it down so fast and needed to chew it more thoroughly and this time drink a glass of water to hasten its progress down to the stomach. This was my initial sensation--the only trouble was that I hadn't taken a bite of anything since about 5:00p.m.
After it seemed to subside, the next sensation was like little squeezing motions that seemed to be racing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasms), gaining speed as they continued racing up and under my sternum (breast bone, where one presses rhythmically when administering CPR).
This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws. 'AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening -- we all have read and/or heard about pain in the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven't we? I said aloud to myself and the cat, Dear God, I think I'm having a heart attack!
I lowered the foot rest dumping the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead. I thought to myself, If this is a heart attack, I shouldn't be walking into the next room where the phone is or anywhere else... but, on the other hand, if I don't, nobody will know that I need help, and if I wait any longer I may not be able to get up in a moment.
I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into the next room and dialed the Paramedics... I told her I thought I was having a heart attack due to the pressure building under the sternum and radiating into my jaws. I didn't feel hysterical or afraid, just stating the facts. She said she was sending the Paramedics over immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to un-bolt the door and then lie down on the floor where they could see me when they came in.
I unlocked the door and then lay down on the floor as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don't remember the medics coming in, their examination, lifting me onto a gurney or getting me into their ambulance, or hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we arrived and saw that the radiologist was already there in his surgical blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was bending over me asking questions (probably something like 'Have you taken any medications?') but I couldn't make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer, and nodded off again, not waking up until the Cardiologist and partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery into the aorta and into my heart where they installed 2 side by side stints to hold open my right coronary artery.
I know it sounds like all my thinking and actions at home must have taken at least 20-30 minutes before calling the paramedics, but actually it took perhaps 4-5 minutes before the call, and both the fire station and St. Jude are only minutes away from my home, and my Cardiologist was already to go to the OR in his scrubs and get going on restarting my heart (which had stopped somewhere between my arrival and the procedure) and installing the stints.
Why have I written all of this to you with so much detail? Because I want all of you who are so important in my life to know what I learned first hand.
1. Be aware that something very different is happening in your body, not the usual men's symptoms but inexplicable things happening (until my sternum and jaws got into the act). It is said that many more women than men die of their first (and last) MI because they didn't know they were having one and commonly mistake it as indigestion, take some Maalox or other anti-heartburn preparation and go to bed, hoping they'll feel better in the morning when they wake up... which doesn't happen. My female friends, your symptoms might not be exactly like mine, so I advise you to call the Paramedics if ANYTHING is unpleasantly happening that you've not felt before. It is better to have a 'false alarm' visitation than to risk your life guessing what it might be!
2. Note that I said 'Call the Paramedics.' And if you can take an aspirin. Ladies, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!
Do NOT try to drive yourself to the ER - you are a hazard to others on the road.
Do NOT have your panicked husband who will be speeding and looking anxiously at what's happening with you instead of the road.
Do NOT call your doctor -- he doesn't know where you live and if it's at night you won't reach him anyway, and if it's daytime, his assistants (or answering service) will tell you to call the Paramedics. He doesn't carry the equipment in his car that you need to be saved! The Paramedics do, principally OXYGEN that you need ASAP. Your Dr will be notified later.
3. Don't assume it couldn't be a heart attack because you have a normal cholesterol count. Research has discovered that a cholesterol elevated reading is rarely the cause of an MI (unless it's unbelievably high and/or accompanied by high blood pressure). MIs are usually caused by long-term stress and inflammation in the body, which dumps all sorts of deadly hormones into your system to sludge things up in there. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.
*Please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends (male & female) about whom you care!*
FEMALE HEART ATTACKS
I was aware that female heart attacks are different, but this is the best description I've ever read.
Women and heart attacks(Myocardial infarction). Did you know that women rarely have the same dramatic symptoms that men have when experiencing heart attack. You know, the sudden stabbing pain in the chest, the cold sweat, grabbing the chest & dropping to the floor that we see in the movies. Here is the story of one woman's experience with a heart attack
'I had a heart attack at about 10:30PM with NO prior exertion, NO prior emotional trauma that one would suspect might have brought it on. I was sitting all snugly & warm on a cold evening, with my purring cat in my lap, reading an interesting story my friend had sent me, and actually thinking, 'A-A-h, this is the life, all cozy and warm in my soft, cushy Lazy Boy with my feet propped up.
A moment later, I felt that awful sensation of indigestion, when you've been in a hurry and grabbed a bite of sandwich and washed it down with a dash of water, and that hurried bite seems to feel like you've swallowed a golf ball going down the esophagus in slow motion and it is most uncomfortable. You realize you shouldn't have gulped it down so fast and needed to chew it more thoroughly and this time drink a glass of water to hasten its progress down to the stomach. This was my initial sensation--the only trouble was that I hadn't taken a bite of anything since about 5:00p.m.
After it seemed to subside, the next sensation was like little squeezing motions that seemed to be racing up my SPINE (hind-sight, it was probably my aorta spasms), gaining speed as they continued racing up and under my sternum (breast bone, where one presses rhythmically when administering CPR).
This fascinating process continued on into my throat and branched out into both jaws. 'AHA!! NOW I stopped puzzling about what was happening -- we all have read and/or heard about pain in the jaws being one of the signals of an MI happening, haven't we? I said aloud to myself and the cat, Dear God, I think I'm having a heart attack!
I lowered the foot rest dumping the cat from my lap, started to take a step and fell on the floor instead. I thought to myself, If this is a heart attack, I shouldn't be walking into the next room where the phone is or anywhere else... but, on the other hand, if I don't, nobody will know that I need help, and if I wait any longer I may not be able to get up in a moment.
I pulled myself up with the arms of the chair, walked slowly into the next room and dialed the Paramedics... I told her I thought I was having a heart attack due to the pressure building under the sternum and radiating into my jaws. I didn't feel hysterical or afraid, just stating the facts. She said she was sending the Paramedics over immediately, asked if the front door was near to me, and if so, to un-bolt the door and then lie down on the floor where they could see me when they came in.
I unlocked the door and then lay down on the floor as instructed and lost consciousness, as I don't remember the medics coming in, their examination, lifting me onto a gurney or getting me into their ambulance, or hearing the call they made to St. Jude ER on the way, but I did briefly awaken when we arrived and saw that the radiologist was already there in his surgical blues and cap, helping the medics pull my stretcher out of the ambulance. He was bending over me asking questions (probably something like 'Have you taken any medications?') but I couldn't make my mind interpret what he was saying, or form an answer, and nodded off again, not waking up until the Cardiologist and partner had already threaded the teeny angiogram balloon up my femoral artery into the aorta and into my heart where they installed 2 side by side stints to hold open my right coronary artery.
I know it sounds like all my thinking and actions at home must have taken at least 20-30 minutes before calling the paramedics, but actually it took perhaps 4-5 minutes before the call, and both the fire station and St. Jude are only minutes away from my home, and my Cardiologist was already to go to the OR in his scrubs and get going on restarting my heart (which had stopped somewhere between my arrival and the procedure) and installing the stints.
Why have I written all of this to you with so much detail? Because I want all of you who are so important in my life to know what I learned first hand.
1. Be aware that something very different is happening in your body, not the usual men's symptoms but inexplicable things happening (until my sternum and jaws got into the act). It is said that many more women than men die of their first (and last) MI because they didn't know they were having one and commonly mistake it as indigestion, take some Maalox or other anti-heartburn preparation and go to bed, hoping they'll feel better in the morning when they wake up... which doesn't happen. My female friends, your symptoms might not be exactly like mine, so I advise you to call the Paramedics if ANYTHING is unpleasantly happening that you've not felt before. It is better to have a 'false alarm' visitation than to risk your life guessing what it might be!
2. Note that I said 'Call the Paramedics.' And if you can take an aspirin. Ladies, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!
Do NOT try to drive yourself to the ER - you are a hazard to others on the road.
Do NOT have your panicked husband who will be speeding and looking anxiously at what's happening with you instead of the road.
Do NOT call your doctor -- he doesn't know where you live and if it's at night you won't reach him anyway, and if it's daytime, his assistants (or answering service) will tell you to call the Paramedics. He doesn't carry the equipment in his car that you need to be saved! The Paramedics do, principally OXYGEN that you need ASAP. Your Dr will be notified later.
3. Don't assume it couldn't be a heart attack because you have a normal cholesterol count. Research has discovered that a cholesterol elevated reading is rarely the cause of an MI (unless it's unbelievably high and/or accompanied by high blood pressure). MIs are usually caused by long-term stress and inflammation in the body, which dumps all sorts of deadly hormones into your system to sludge things up in there. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.
A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.
*Please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends (male & female) about whom you care!*
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Highway Patrol Officer Michael J. Califano
Donations for the family of Nassau County Police Officer Michael J. Califano who was killed in the line of duty on February 5, 2011 can be made to the Michael J. Califano Memorial Fund, c/o Nassau County P.B.A., 89 E. Jericho Tpke., Mineola, NY 11501. Officer Califano leaves behind a wife and three young boys
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Free Income Tax Return Prepartion for Seniors
Town's VITA Program Offers Seniors Free Income Tax Return Preparation
January 19, 2011
Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has announced the town's 2011 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program schedule. Entering its 36th year, the VITA program provides free income tax preparation services for senior residents at locations throughout Hempstead Town during the tax season. VITA volunteer tax preparers have received training sponsored by Hempstead Town's Department of Senior Enrichment under the auspices of the Internal Revenue Service.
"For the past 35 years, the VITA Program has aided senior residents in preparing their federal and state income tax returns and securing the maximum refund which they are entitled to," said Supervisor Murray. "Our dedicated group of VITA volunteers is poised to provide assistance to senior residents during the upcoming tax season."
Participants must bring last year's tax return (2009), all wage and earning statements (W2 and 1099), all interest dividend and pension statements, 2010 property tax receipts, STAR exemption records, New York State IT 214 booklet (if applicable), social security cards and photo identification of all those filing tax returns. Most VITA sites require that an appointment be made in advance.
"The VITA program is a great example of the Town of Hempstead meeting the needs of its citizens. I urge any senior resident who is interested in having his or her tax returns prepared by a VITA volunteer to make an appointment and take advantage of this excellent, free service," concluded Murray.
For a VITA program schedule, senior residents may visit the town's website at www.TOH.LI and follow the "Town Resources" link to "Senior Enrichment" or call the Department of Senior Enrichment at (516) 485-8100.
January 19, 2011
Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray has announced the town's 2011 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program schedule. Entering its 36th year, the VITA program provides free income tax preparation services for senior residents at locations throughout Hempstead Town during the tax season. VITA volunteer tax preparers have received training sponsored by Hempstead Town's Department of Senior Enrichment under the auspices of the Internal Revenue Service.
"For the past 35 years, the VITA Program has aided senior residents in preparing their federal and state income tax returns and securing the maximum refund which they are entitled to," said Supervisor Murray. "Our dedicated group of VITA volunteers is poised to provide assistance to senior residents during the upcoming tax season."
Participants must bring last year's tax return (2009), all wage and earning statements (W2 and 1099), all interest dividend and pension statements, 2010 property tax receipts, STAR exemption records, New York State IT 214 booklet (if applicable), social security cards and photo identification of all those filing tax returns. Most VITA sites require that an appointment be made in advance.
"The VITA program is a great example of the Town of Hempstead meeting the needs of its citizens. I urge any senior resident who is interested in having his or her tax returns prepared by a VITA volunteer to make an appointment and take advantage of this excellent, free service," concluded Murray.
For a VITA program schedule, senior residents may visit the town's website at www.TOH.LI and follow the "Town Resources" link to "Senior Enrichment" or call the Department of Senior Enrichment at (516) 485-8100.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Town of Hempstead Rescues Animals from House of Horrors
January 15, 2011
For the second time in three days, Hempstead Town Animal Control Officers rescued profoundly neglected and abused animals from squalid condition. Fifteen animals survived a Rockville Centre house of horrors while the carcasses of 26 less fortunate victims littered the filthy residence. Twelve dogs and two cats were transported to Hempstead's Animal Shelter for examination and treatment by a veterinarian before being groomed and cleaned. One dog was taken directly to an animal hospital for emergency care.
Joining Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray at a briefing on the condition of the surviving animals were Senior Councilman Anthony Santino, Councilwoman Angie Cullin, Town Clerk Mark Bonilla, members of the animal rescue group Rescue Ink, and the heroic rescuers of the town's animal shelter.
"Nothing could prepare our Animal Control Officers for what they found at a filthy house of horrors in Rockville Centre," stated Murray. "They rescued 15 animals from a 'living hell' and braved a stench-filled house strewn with the corpses of 26 animal victims."
The officials called animal shelter staff "unsung heroes" for working late into Friday evening to remove matted hair and clean feces and urine encrusted fur from dogs.
Animals rescued from the house include six chihuahuas, three dachshunds, a Yorkshire terrier, an English Bulldog, a Shih Tzu, a Boxer and two cats. Additionally, a Collie-mix dog was transported to animal hospital for emergency care. Beyond the survivors, Hempstead Animal Control Officers recovered 26 animal corpses, many of which were badly decomposed. The dead animals included five dogs, eight cats, five ferrets and five parrots.
"Kate Murray, Angie Cullin and I want to thank the men and women of the town's animal shelter for rescuing these innocent animals and showing such compassion and caring," said Murray. "They are the true heroes in this tragic incident," added Santino.
Murray indicated that she and her colleagues in town government were working closely with the Rockville Centre Police Department and the District Attorney's Office to pursue justice on behalf of the rescued and deceased animals. The town immediately reported the incident to the district attorney's animal cruelty division upon arriving at the grisly scene on Friday evening.
"These animals need us to demand justice," announced Murray. "They were victims that are voiceless in the face of evil. I will demand that the person(s) responsible for what we have found are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
The animals that were rescued were found to be emaciated and dehydrated upon examination. After medical attention and grooming, the dogs and cats received nourishment and fluids.
"Seeing the condition of these animals is heartbreaking," observed Cullin. "But, now our veterinarian and caring shelter workers will help these cats and dogs return to health."
Murray and the other town board members stated that they will move swiftly to take legal ownership of the animals, work to restore their health and find loving homes for the furry pooches and felines.
"These animals have been through enough," stated Santino. "We're going to work hard to find them the loving homes that they deserve."
Murray concluded the briefing by renewing her call on the public to report instances of suspected animal abuse and cruelty. "I am renewing my plea to neighbors everywhere," said Murray. "If you see something, say something. We can all help prevent tragedies like this from recurring by speaking up when we suspect cruelty, abuse or neglect. We need to speak up for the beautiful voiceless animals that are victims across this nation on a daily basis."
For the second time in three days, Hempstead Town Animal Control Officers rescued profoundly neglected and abused animals from squalid condition. Fifteen animals survived a Rockville Centre house of horrors while the carcasses of 26 less fortunate victims littered the filthy residence. Twelve dogs and two cats were transported to Hempstead's Animal Shelter for examination and treatment by a veterinarian before being groomed and cleaned. One dog was taken directly to an animal hospital for emergency care.
Joining Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray at a briefing on the condition of the surviving animals were Senior Councilman Anthony Santino, Councilwoman Angie Cullin, Town Clerk Mark Bonilla, members of the animal rescue group Rescue Ink, and the heroic rescuers of the town's animal shelter.
"Nothing could prepare our Animal Control Officers for what they found at a filthy house of horrors in Rockville Centre," stated Murray. "They rescued 15 animals from a 'living hell' and braved a stench-filled house strewn with the corpses of 26 animal victims."
The officials called animal shelter staff "unsung heroes" for working late into Friday evening to remove matted hair and clean feces and urine encrusted fur from dogs.
Animals rescued from the house include six chihuahuas, three dachshunds, a Yorkshire terrier, an English Bulldog, a Shih Tzu, a Boxer and two cats. Additionally, a Collie-mix dog was transported to animal hospital for emergency care. Beyond the survivors, Hempstead Animal Control Officers recovered 26 animal corpses, many of which were badly decomposed. The dead animals included five dogs, eight cats, five ferrets and five parrots.
"Kate Murray, Angie Cullin and I want to thank the men and women of the town's animal shelter for rescuing these innocent animals and showing such compassion and caring," said Murray. "They are the true heroes in this tragic incident," added Santino.
Murray indicated that she and her colleagues in town government were working closely with the Rockville Centre Police Department and the District Attorney's Office to pursue justice on behalf of the rescued and deceased animals. The town immediately reported the incident to the district attorney's animal cruelty division upon arriving at the grisly scene on Friday evening.
"These animals need us to demand justice," announced Murray. "They were victims that are voiceless in the face of evil. I will demand that the person(s) responsible for what we have found are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
The animals that were rescued were found to be emaciated and dehydrated upon examination. After medical attention and grooming, the dogs and cats received nourishment and fluids.
"Seeing the condition of these animals is heartbreaking," observed Cullin. "But, now our veterinarian and caring shelter workers will help these cats and dogs return to health."
Murray and the other town board members stated that they will move swiftly to take legal ownership of the animals, work to restore their health and find loving homes for the furry pooches and felines.
"These animals have been through enough," stated Santino. "We're going to work hard to find them the loving homes that they deserve."
Murray concluded the briefing by renewing her call on the public to report instances of suspected animal abuse and cruelty. "I am renewing my plea to neighbors everywhere," said Murray. "If you see something, say something. We can all help prevent tragedies like this from recurring by speaking up when we suspect cruelty, abuse or neglect. We need to speak up for the beautiful voiceless animals that are victims across this nation on a daily basis."
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
A Winter Storm Watch
A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Nassau County from Tuesday Evening through Wednesday afternoon.
Snow should develop across the county from 8-9pm Tuesday evening. Expect snow to last through the day on Wednesday before finally coming to an end by 1-2am Thursday morning. The heaviest snow should fall from 11pm-12am Tuesday night through 10am Wednesday morning. Expect the activity to taper to scattered light snow showers or flurries for the rest of the day Wednesday and into Wednesday night. Snow accumulations of 5-10 inches are expected right now. There is potential for slightly higher snow totals if the track is just right, but this is a little uncertain at this time. Winds will be relatively light through the night on Tuesday. Winds should pick up Wednesday out of the northwest with gusts to 25-30 mph as it looks right now. As far as tidal departures, the winds should be light on the side of the storm that would pile water up along the coasts of your county. We may get maybe 1-1.5 feet above normal and this should not be enough to produce any coastal flooding.
Snow should develop across the county from 8-9pm Tuesday evening. Expect snow to last through the day on Wednesday before finally coming to an end by 1-2am Thursday morning. The heaviest snow should fall from 11pm-12am Tuesday night through 10am Wednesday morning. Expect the activity to taper to scattered light snow showers or flurries for the rest of the day Wednesday and into Wednesday night. Snow accumulations of 5-10 inches are expected right now. There is potential for slightly higher snow totals if the track is just right, but this is a little uncertain at this time. Winds will be relatively light through the night on Tuesday. Winds should pick up Wednesday out of the northwest with gusts to 25-30 mph as it looks right now. As far as tidal departures, the winds should be light on the side of the storm that would pile water up along the coasts of your county. We may get maybe 1-1.5 feet above normal and this should not be enough to produce any coastal flooding.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Knights of Columbus Twelve Apostles Council Basketball Free Throw Championship
When: Saturday January 29, 2011
Time: 2 pm through 6pm
All boys and girls, 10-14 years of age (as of 12/31/10) are eligible to participate and will compete in their division. If their performance is exemplary, they will move on to higher levels of competition, and individual winners will receive engraved plaques certifying their achievement.
Contestants must bring proof of age and parental consent. Entry forms will be available on the day of the competition. For additional information contact Joe Camoli at 516 352-2902.
Time: 2 pm through 6pm
All boys and girls, 10-14 years of age (as of 12/31/10) are eligible to participate and will compete in their division. If their performance is exemplary, they will move on to higher levels of competition, and individual winners will receive engraved plaques certifying their achievement.
Contestants must bring proof of age and parental consent. Entry forms will be available on the day of the competition. For additional information contact Joe Camoli at 516 352-2902.
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