Inspired by I'm lucky- I had a stroke

[rie'smom]

Last August, my 16 yo niece had a stroke. The cause- smoking while on birth control. She smoked very little. My BIL who is a pediatrician told us he would see this all the time as a resident. So please stress to your daughters, nieces, friends, etc, IF YOU'RE ON THE PILL, DO NOT SMOKE.

She is pretty much back to normal but now suffers from ADD and which she never had before. She will also have to be on blood thinners probably the rest of her life. Also, she can't get pregnant because of the danger of another stroke. Her mouth on the left side droops a tiny bit. All this because she smoked a couple of cigarettes a day while on the pill.

 

[minniebeth]

How sad~ we hear the warnings all the time, but have to know there are real faces behind them. I will think of her and definately keep in mind how real the dangers are. Thank you for that.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Thanks for this. It's a real wake up call to a lot of people. Most people would never think that a 16 yo girl could possibly have a stroke.

While it's rare, it does happen.
I think more people should hear this story. Especially girls/women who are on or thinking about going on bc.

 

[DawnCt1]

Thanks for this. It's a real wake up call to a lot of people. Most people would never think that a 16 yo girl could possibly have a stroke.

While it's rare, it does happen.
I think more people should hear this story. Especially girls/women who are on or thinking about going on bc.

My niece had a stroke when she was about 2 years old. The pediatric neurologist who treated her had the most experience in childhood stroke. He had seen and treated only 9 at that point in his career. That summer he saw five of those nine cases. Despite sending my neice's blood all over the country to every major medical center, they never determined the cause of her stroke. She was paralyzed on one side of her body for a couple of months, needed a leg brace for 8 months, speech therapy, etc. She graduated from high school this year and had her choice of several colleges and universities with direct acceptance into the nursing program. She takes a baby aspirin a day.

 

[rie'smom]

Dawn, I'm very happy that things turned out well for your niece.

 

[cm8]

My niece had a stroke when she was about 2 years old. The pediatric neurologist who treated her had the most experience in childhood stroke. He had seen and treated only 9 at that point in his career. That summer he saw five of those nine cases. Despite sending my neice's blood all over the country to every major medical center, they never determined the cause of her stroke. She was paralyzed on one side of her body for a couple of months, needed a leg brace for 8 months, speech therapy, etc. She graduated from high school this year and had her choice of several colleges and universities with direct acceptance into the nursing program. She takes a baby aspirin a day.

, WOW, but what a miracle that she survived and went on to study nursing!

 

[DawnCt1]

Dawn, I'm very happy that things turned out well for your niece.

, WOW, but what a miracle that she survived and went on to study nursing!

Yup, as a mother of four boys, I think she is perfect! I am just crazy about her. When my brother complains about 'this or that', I am on her defense team. He is SO LUCKY. Things could have been so different. She is a great kid. Confident, caring and HEALTHY. I love her to pieces!!!

 

[tink20]

So scary. I smoked while on the pill for about 8 years (in my twenties) I am lucky that I never had any problems. I am so happy now, I haven't smoked in 9 years and don't take the pill anymore. I try to live a healthier life now, you just don't think about your health when you are younger. I tell my DD all the time, don't ever start smoking, then you don't have to try to quit. I hope she listens to me.

I will keep her in my prayers.