Nov 13, 2015 Reporting from Niles, MI
Knowing When to Act FAST - Jean Wenger
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/neurosciences/our-neuroscience-patients-say-it-best/Detail/stroke-jean-wenger/?utm_source=Knowing_When_to_Act_FAST&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Nov 13, 2015
Nov 13, 2015
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
For the past 21 years, Jean Wenger, 63, a Niles resident has worked as a medical billing coder. Over the years she reviewed countless medical records and knew the signs and symptoms of a stroke by heart. Jean had just completed her yearly wellness ex
Knowing When to Act FAST - Jean Wenger
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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Knowing When to Act FAST - Jean Wenger
Nov, 2015
Physicians: Rosa Johnson, DO
For the past 21 years, Jean Wenger, 63, a Niles resident has worked as a medical billing coder. Over the years she reviewed countless medical records and knew the signs and symptoms of a stroke by heart. Jean had just completed her yearly wellness exam and all the results came back normal – she wasn’t at risk for a stroke, right?
All these thoughts ran through Jean’s head one afternoon after experiencing, what she describes as, an electrical shock down the left side of her body. When she later began having trouble seeing out of her left eye, Jean had to act FAST.
“I knew something wasn’t quite right, but when I went through the stroke symptoms in my head I could still smile, raise my arms, and say the alphabet clearly,” said Jean. “I just dismissed the symptoms as a non-life threatening medical issue. Looking back I should have called 9-1-1 right away.”
A few days later when Jean returned to work after the weekend, she was still experiencing complications with her vision. She decided to call and make an appointment with her primary care provider Rosa Johnson, DO, at Lakeland Family Medicine, Niles to make sure everything was okay. However, as soon as Jean explained her symptoms over the phone to medical assistant Ashley Kyles, she was immediately sent to the Emergency Department for further evaluation.
After arriving to Lakeland Hospital, Niles, a neurologist explained the results of her CAT scan that revealed Jean had indeed suffered a small stroke in the lower right side of her brain.
“It was a very scary time for me as I was sure my symptoms were related to something less severe,” said Jean. “If it wouldn’t have been for Ashley's sense of urgency that got me to the Emergency Room my diagnosis could have been much worse. I’m grateful for the staff at Lakeland who are well versed in their field and truly care about the well-being of each patient.”
Soon after her diagnosis, Jean was transferred to Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph where she met with other members of the Lakeland care team, including a speech pathologist and physical therapist. She also underwent a sleep study and further testing to ensure there wasn’t a clot in her brain.
A week later, Jean returned to work with only minor side effects. After suffering a stroke, Jean said she is much more aware of her own health and is focused on taking the best possible care of herself.
“When you work in the healthcare industry you hear about patients’ conditions so often that you sometimes forget you can be the one in need,” said Jean. “It’s important to know your own body and know when something isn’t right. I’m so thankful that I had the staff at Lakeland there to help me every step of the way.”