The Silent Killer

Darkness fell at a most inopportune time to a woman who thought she knew it all, but that wasn't the case. Possessed with a character, stubborn and fixed, hardened to the core. Casual warnings from caring family and friends, dismissed. It was that dreaded, horrid day on a busy Monday morning when perspiration drained and covered her brow, while traffic backed up for miles along the trail. Nerves jolted far beyond compare. It was when karma showed it's face and a revelation was about to unfold. Fragile lungs fought for air, while dry eyes lost its lustre and fell deep into despair. The pain, the indescribable pain struck close beneath the breasts. Thrusting hard against the ribcage as if looking for a place to rest. Her legs danced the St. Vitas dance and wouldn't settle down and the Charlie horse founds its place in the calves burning the muscle deep. Embarrassment was not the focus for there was nothing she could do, while the bladder emptied like a faucets broken valve and became a dead man's sack draped violently against the front seat of a borrowed car. Silence like an un welcomed guest filled the realm of darkness still, and you were surrounded by a mass of people pounding against the cold, hard steel with eyes of panic moving lips which echoed a soundless wave. You knew within that deep found darkness that your heart was fighting hard, but you wondered, could your life be saved. Suddenly a cascade of light shone bright and filtered through. Help was present and working hard to get to you. The door opened and caring hands pulled you gently from the car, placed you in an ambulance and drove with speed so far. Now you sit in a wheelchair in a home up on the hill. Though you can not speak your mind is thinking still. You wish you took the advice of those who truly cared. A simple thing like a blood pressure test could have saved you all this pain and you know you would listen now if you could do it all over again. A stroke has left you paralysed and your voice it stole from you, and the tears fall every night and day as you sit and think it through. Dead without being dead is not a good quality of life, but you may live out the rest of your years in hardship and self inflicted strife.: Written by: Melvina Germain Date: Oct.24,2008 Author's note: When was the last time you checked your blood pressure. Mine is 117 over 78 at the moment, please check yours.