I had the pleasure of dropping into the Calgary Health Foundation office today. The purpose of my visit was to present CHF with a donation cheque, on behalf of everyone who has supported my Stroke of Luck book project.
When I first considered writing a book about my stroke journey, it was a daunting prospect. I was indebted to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Foothills Medical Centre, Unit 100 (“the Stroke Unit“) for their care during my stroke journey. As a grateful patient, it was ultimately an easy decision to go ahead with the project, once I realized that my book could be a platform for helping them in their invaluable work.
I’ve committed to sharing with the Stroke Unit proceeds from book sales, plus all other direct donations I receive. With the help of Laurel Williams (Philanthropy Advisor) and Ashley Oakley (Communications Advisor), these funds will go directly toward the ongoing needs of the Stroke Unit. It’s the least I can do.
Thanks again to all who have bought the book or have contributed to the cause. Your support is greatly appreciated!
With Laurel Williams, CHF Philanthropy Advisor, March 2025 (Photo by Ashley Oakley)
While I’m writing, I will take the opportunity to remind my readers about my three main messages:
The importance of an active lifestyle
Awareness of ALL the symptoms of stroke, and of course…
Raising funds to support the great work being done every day on stroke prevention and care at the Foothills Medical Centre’s Stroke Unit
Finally, if you have not already read the story that Ashley wrote about my stroke journey, you can find it here.
Now for a post dedicated to the core subjects on this site: strokes, running, and of course photography. Covering all of that might seem like a tall order, but the last month has provided me with plenty of material on all three subjects. So, without further ado…
CanStroke Congress
In late November, Calgary hosted the 2024 Canadian Stroke Congress, which is described as “a forum for stroke researchers, trainees, clinicians, allied health, administrators, policymakers, and People With Lived Experience of stroke (PWLE) to share new discoveries and innovations, the latest science and therapies, and to build relationships for future collaboration.”
I learned about the congress in a recent conversation with representatives of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. By registering as a PWLE, I was able to attend any of the main sessions at a very reasonable cost. It was a unique opportunity to participate in an exceptional event.
Several workshops were offered on the day before the congress, and I attended one on patient engagement. We heard from scientists and advocates on a range of topics, all focused on ways that PWLE can become involved in stroke research and advocacy. Breakout sessions addressed the practicalities of various engagement paths. The workshop was a good chance to meet other people and share our respective stroke journeys.
I was so impressed with the workshop that I returned the next day to attend a couple of the main sessions. Dr. Andrew Demchuk, the hero of my own stroke story, and Dr. Thalia Field from UBC led a discussion, “What’s New in Stroke Prevention?” It was standing room only for this session. While much of the discussion was over my head, I was so impressed by the depth and breadth of the presentation, and the knowledge and confidence of the speakers. It reinforced my opinion that world-class stroke care is available in Canada.
Another session (“What’s New in Acute Stroke?”) had three eminent stroke neurologists discuss developments in stroke diagnostics and therapies, including some that I touched on in a recent post. It turns out I have a connection to all three of the speakers:
Dr. Michael Hill was one of the physicians involved in my care at the Foothills Stroke Unit in 2017. He kindly wrote the foreword for Stroke of Luck.
I’ve never met Dr. Mayank Goyal, but he would have been the physician responsible for inserting a stent into my blocked vertebral artery, should the decision have been made to follow this treatment route for me.
Finally, Dr. Aristeidis Katsanos is an eminent stroke neurologist at my alma mater, McMaster University.
My takeaway from attending the congress is that while stroke incidence is increasing and our healthcare system is under severe pressure, we should be encouraged by many significant advancements that are being made in stroke diagnostics and therapy. There is reason to be optimistic about the future.
A Blast of Winter
Coincident with the stroke congress was Calgary’s first blast of winter. This likely gave the conference organizers fits. It was quite a wallop. I think we got something like three times our usual November snowfall in one day. Now, while that did complicate a lot of things, it also provided for some great photography. Here are some shots from around the city… with a reminder that the copyright for all images is mine.
Strides Run Streak
Here we are, already halfway through December. Cue the usual observations about where the year has gone. December is also when many Calgary runners take on the annual Strides Run Streak. The challenge is simple: run at least one mile every day during the month.
I have some meaningful connections to this event, so whatever else is going on at this time of year, I like to sign up for it. One mile a day is an achievable goal. I give myself the added challenge of finding a worthy photo or two while I’m completing my run. Sometimes that is a bigger test, particularly with the days getting shorter and shorter!
This year, my commitment is strong, but the challenges are not insignificant. We started the month with plenty of snow on the roads and sidewalks, which have slowly turned into skating rinks. Ah, Calgary weather! I’m also doing most of my running solo these days, as my favourite training partner is sidelined with a sore hip. We are both hoping for some improvement soon.
Two weeks into December, my streak is intact, and I have managed to accumulate a few images. Maybe more images than miles, if I’m honest. While it is nice to capture the festive spirit… the snow does help with that… it isn’t essential. Rather, my goal is to find images that can transport me back into that time and place. It’s a way of adding meaning to my runs. When it comes together, it’s a nice feeling. Here’s a sample.
And while I did say the images don’t have to be festive, there is one that has the potential to put even a Grinch like me into the Christmas spirit. See what you think.
Look for more images soon. I have ideas for other posts before I shut things down for the holidays. In case that doesn’t happen, I will take this opportunity to offer my best wishes for a Merry Christmas to one and all.
I haven’t written much about strokes lately, so it was time to scan the recent headlines. It turns out there is quite a lot to report on, and much of it (but not all) is good news. I always prefer to start with the positives, so here goes…
Announcing the Black Friday Sale!
If you’ve been waiting to order your copy of Stroke of Luck: My Life in Amateur Athletics, now’s the perfect time. I’ve reduced prices for e-book and print editions by a marathon-inspired 26.2 percent. These are the best prices you’ll see in 2024. The book would be a great gift for a runner… or non-runner… on your holiday gift list!
Order your copy of Stroke of Luck on Amazon today!
Sale prices will be in effect until December 1.
Awareness Campaigns are Working
June is Stroke Awareness Month in Canada. Heart and Stroke is committed to helping improve the lives of people at risk for and living with heart disease and stroke. When it comes to stroke, much has changed in the last several decades. The keys are increased awareness of the signs of stroke, and some revolutionary changes in stroke diagnostics and treatment.
Promoting stroke awareness is a priority for Heart and Stroke. Their media campaigns rely on an easy-to-remember acronym… F-A-S-T. By now, most of us will have seen the television ads and billboards, which remind us of the major signs of stroke, as follows:
F is for FACE… Is it drooping?
A is for ARMS… Is the person unable to lift both?
S is for SPEECH… Is it slurred or incoherent?
T is for TIME… Call 9-1-1 if any of these conditions exist!
Heart and Stroke notes that awareness campaigns have been successful. For example, 4 in 10 Canadians surveyed can name at least 2 signs of stroke. Women and older Canadians are more likely to recognize stroke symptoms. Of course, there is always more that can be done.
At this point, I will add a caveat about stroke awareness, because my symptoms did not fall into the F-A-S-T framework. It’s an 80-20 situation. I encourage everyone to read my blog pieces where I describe the less frequent symptoms. These include problems with balance and eyes/ears. So, if you can, please remember BE FAST, to cover off all the signs of stroke.
U of Calgary – Leading in Stroke Research
While there can never be a good time or place to have a stroke, it’s been said that Calgary is the place to be if is going to happen to you. I do have some direct experience in this regard, but I didn’t fully appreciate how much innovation is happening here.
A couple of March 2024 articles in Arch, the University of Calgary magazine (here and here) highlight advancements in diagnosis and treatment that originated at the Calgary Stroke Program (CSP). Here are just a few:
(1) A Calgary-based clinical trial led to a procedure known as EVT (endovascular thrombectomy), which is drastically reducing the death rate from one of the most common types of strokes. EVT is a procedure that can disrupt large clots in the brain. If done promptly after the onset of symptoms, EVT can triple a patient’s chance of making a full recovery from certain strokes.
(2) The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) is a grading system for strokes. This tool, which is based on a brain CT scan, has been adopted around the world as a way of measuring changes in a patient’s condition.
(3) A clinical trial of a clot-busting drug called Tenecteplase (TNKase™) compared it to the standard drug used for dissolving blood clots in brain arteries with acute ischemic stroke. As a result, TNKase™ is becoming the standard of care in hospitals around the world.
I could go on. The innovations originating in Calgary cover diagnostic processes, treatment options and rehabilitative therapies. It is a remarkable success story. On a personal note, I have come to know several of the doctors involved in these research programs. They are truly miracle workers.
Stroke Incidence is Increasing
A study in The Lancet Neurology found that the global prevalence of cardiovascular disease, including stroke, increased from 271 million in 1990 to 523 million in 2019. The study found that population growth and aging account for this increase. While stroke mortality rates had been declining in the latter part of the twentieth century, some countries have actually seen a reversal in this trend since 2010. Unfortunately, the US and UK are two countries that have seen an increase in stroke numbers.
A study on stroke prevalence by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fills in some of the details for the US. Here are a couple of headlines: stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the US and it costs the economy about $56 billion annually. Digging deeper, the CDC study confirms the trend in stroke incidence. Overall US stroke prevalence increased by about 8 percent from 2011-2013 to 2020-22. The increase was slightly higher in females than males. There was an inverse relationship between education level and stroke prevalence. Perhaps most worrying was a significant increase in adults aged 18-64. As you might guess, obesity is a leading risk factor for stroke.
Not surprisingly, the trends in Canada are similar. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in Canada, accounting for about 13,000 deaths annually. There are more than 108,000 strokes in Canada each year… that’s one every five minutes. And nearly 900,000 Canadians are living with the outcome of strokes. As in other countries, it’s a result of our aging population.
Fortunately, when strokes do happen, more people are recognizing them and taking action.
Before signing off, I couldn’t help but include a photograph taken on yesterday’s short walk along the Elbow River in Calgary. The picture has nothing to do with strokes, but I liked it. Yes, winter is here!
Did you know that June is Stroke Awareness Month in Canada?
To recognize the importance of stroke awareness, I’ve extended the online promotion for my memoir, Stroke of Luck.
Get your copy on Amazon and save 20% until July 15. And help me help the heroes at the Foothills Stroke Unit!
Stroke incidence continues to rise in Canada – more strokes are happening and more people are living with stroke due to our aging population and more younger people having strokes. There are now nearly 110,000 strokes each year in Canada. That is roughly one stroke every five minutes.
Strokes occur due to an interruption of blood flow to the brain, and most strokes originate in the carotid arteries. The carotid arteries are the large arteries at the front of the neck. They deliver most of the blood to the brain. Carotid artery strokes produce symptoms that are familiar to many people, thanks to effective public awareness campaigns:
F – Face drooping
A – Arms can’t be lifted above your head
S – Speech is slurred or jumbled
T – Time to call 9-1-1
As I learned, strokes can also occur due to an interruption of blood flow in the vertebral arteries. These arteries are at the back of the neck. They are smaller than the carotid arteries, but just as important.
The symptoms of vertebral strokes are different than those originating in the carotid arteries because they control different bodily functions. Here’s what to look for as possible signs of a vertebral artery stroke:
B – Balance and coordination problems, like vertigo
E – Eyes and Ears behaving strangely, especially if uncoordinated
Taken together, these symptoms can be remembered by the words BE FAST.
BE FAST is an appropriate phrase, because regardless of the type of stroke, time is of the essence. If there’s any doubt, call 911 right away!
In this, Heart Health Month, it was a great pleasure to sit down with Christa Abbott, Director of Marketing & Communications for Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary. (I’m quite sure it used to be called Heart and Stroke Month, so I should be okay borrowing the older designation!)
I’ve been a member of Earl Grey for many years, although admittedly golf has taken second place behind running for most of that time.
Christa and I talked about my stroke journey… the medical one, not the golf one… about the role that running played in getting me through that ordeal, and about the process of writing my book, Stroke of Luck.
I was really pleased with the piece that Christa wrote, and in particular how she incorporated one of my main messages… the importance of knowing ALL the symptoms of stroke… into the graphic for her article. Here it is:
Splash screen from Earl Grey Member Profile (Christa Abbott, 2024)
You can find the post on the club’s Instagram page here.
Christa neatly highlighted the phrase “BE FAST” as a reminder of the full range of stroke symptoms. You can read my post on this potentially life-saving topic here. I’ve included the information below, for quick reference.
And the picture of me that Christa used?
It was taken at about the 8k mark in the Calgary 10k race, in May 2017. I’ll be the first to admit it isn’t the best picture that’s ever been taken of me during a race. That said, when I do show this picture, I point out that I had just suffered a vertebral artery stroke a few minutes before it was taken!
For me, this is a stark reminder that strokes can affect any of us, at any time.
You can read the full story in Stroke of Luck: My Life in Amateur Athletics, available online at Amazon, or at independent bookstores, like our great local store, Owl’s Nest Books.
Thanks to all my friends at Earl Grey, and everyone else who has supported me in this initiative. Oh, that reminds me, there is one thing I plan to do in this next phase of my life (My Second Running Life)… suck a little less at golf!
My Second Running Life 