We recently reported on a stroke survivor named Leslie Jordan, who suffered a series of strokes after giving birth. In an exclusive interview, BlackDoctor.org sat down with Jordan, a volunteer for the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women “Real Women” initiative to get an update on her recovery process, what she’s learned since the traumatic experience, how knowing her family history helped save her life, her advice for Black women experiencing cardiovascular-related pregnancy complications, and her plans for the future.
What was it like waking up weeks after your strokes not knowing what happened and having to leave your old self behind?
When I regained a little bit of consciousness, I did not fully realize the magnitude of what could have possibly happened at that time. Little by little, I struggled to search for clues to see what I could do to help myself recover enough to go home. At that time, I was still Leslie, even though I could not move (unresponsive and paralyzed) or talk in the way that was familiar to me. God kept me at peace, I honestly do not know how I could have survived if it was not for God’s grace over my life.
Knowing your family history is important. You learned about heart disease at a young age after losing several family members. How did this knowledge help you deal with your own situation?
Get ready for the cliché of the century, well not quite the century, “Knowledge is Power.” First, knowing your family history…especially your health is important. Think of it as a matter of knowing how you get to work so you can get paid, it’s just something you should just know. In my case, being aware of my own family history of cardiovascular disease essentially saved my life. Everything I did such as eating a healthy diet, doing moderate to light exercise, drinking my water, managing my stress, and mental wellness helped minimize so many other risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Even up to the point of knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke F.A.S.T (face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty and time to call 911 helped save my life.
Can you walk me through the aftermath of your strokes? What did your doctors and family tell you? What type of treatment/rehabilitation did you begin taking?
After my initial spout of major strokes, life has not been a crystal staircase. Simply put, things I’ve taken for granted such as sleeping, walking, or eating continuously became challenges on top of life happening. I juggled surviving, what I could not possibly accept as my new norm and becoming a new mom all at once.
I’ve gotten mixed reviews from doctors, one told me not to worry about the details and focus on recovering, another told me in quotes “it was really, really, really, really, really, really bad.” Then some doctors left out the emotional bedside manner and went straight into the medical terminology, with which I was familiar, yet at times in my opinion, seriously lacked empathy for the magnitude of what happened. Other doctors went above and beyond to take the time to make sure I fully understood what happened in the moment even when I did not know what questions to ask them.
My husband and family helped save my life by advocating for me when I was unresponsive to make sure I got the care I needed and deserved. Essentially, I was told by my family that prayers are what brought me back and they were there to witness God’s miracle.
At that time from my recollection, once I was responsive, I underwent occupational, speech and physical therapy at the hospital. As well as treatment to dissolve the blood clot in my brain with various medications along with stabilizing my violent seizure activity. This occurred in conjunction with postpartum care to help me recover from my delivery.
Have you progressed since then both mentally and physically?
Absolutely yes! I have intentionally focused on both my mental and physical health to learn better ways to cope with pain, identify trauma, set boundaries, and most of all not normalize trauma or stress. Physically, I’ve discovered the power of movement is just as effective as a more traditional exercise routine. My God, I can walk again, so I get up every day and move even through the pain as recommended by my doctor and physical therapist. There are so many free fitness videos that you can do even sitting in a chair or on the floor. Make a choice to add extra movement every day or at least three times a week until adding more movement becomes a lifestyle. Prayer, meditation, affirmations, and a licensed therapist that can see your pain are also a must and have helped me grow so much on my journey as a stroke survivor.
RELATED: Act “FAST”: Recognize the Signs of a Stroke
In terms of balance, thinking, seizures, etc. How have you progressed?
Recovering from a stroke is not a linear recovery. There are days, weeks and months that are huge setbacks such as I can go from moderate balance to having none. My progress is inching forward as I have many setbacks that deter my ability to