A Potentially Life-Saving Tip

from a mailing list I'm on. Forwarded by request and un-cut so people will actually read it...


I just got an email from a sister-in-law, whose daughter is recovering from a stroke. Minutes are critical for stroke victims; the faster treatement starts, the better the results. A friend of Susie, my niece-in-law, had read an article about three questions that can help non-medical types recognize a stroke. When the friend saw Susie stumble, she asked the questions, Susie failed all three, and as a result the friend called 911 immediately. It's worth noting that Susie's blood pressure was normal and that she had *not* lost consciousness; in fact she could talk to some degree.

So my sister-in-law passed me the article, and I'm passing it along here and to a couple of other lists I'm on. (Apologies to those who get it twice.) Feel free to pass along to others.

Katie

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Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer 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:

*Ask the individual to SMILE.
*Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
*Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE
(Coherently) (ie. It is sunny out today)

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February.

Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people, you can bet that at least one life will be saved. Pretty good odds, I'm thinking...

working. wired. weirded.

a passing observation as I flow on through the next scene:


Boomer is an outie. Pandora is an innie.


*sits back to see who knows what I'm talking about*

actual post of writing content!

Had an excellent CGAG last night, wherein much extremely good commentary was exchanged, and I'm reminded again why a good writers group is a thing of beauty -- they managed to find the weak points and give me excellent inspiration on how to fix them, and apparently at least one other member had inspiration likewise. Plus, chocolate, because one of the members had a sale!

(CGAG rule #3: if you make a sale, you must bring chocolate. When we long-ago met on Sunday mornings, it was flavored cream cheese for the bagels).

So, today I've been working with said inspiration, fixing and fiddling and generally feeling outrageously productive. Which is good, as I got the usual turnaround from F&SF, making me wonder why I even bother as Gordon and I are clearly not on the same wavelength. Ah well. The story is a good and interesting one, and it will find a home eventually.

On the plus side, was informed this afternoon that the Retrievers books will be part of a reading group initiative via Harlequin later on this year. Means a bit of work for me, to prep for it, but it's work I'm happy to do.


Oh, and Retrievers3 is perking along as well, with the plotlines twining around each other like a well-trained trellis rose. Good book. Have a biscuit.

And, via neadods -- The Fandom Verb List, appropriate for pros, too.


I am a writer of edgy and controversial stories
You are a writer of dark fics, which are a bit melodramatic
S/he is a complete angst whore.