It's Tedy Bruschi 2, Strokes 0

While it was a shock to the system to hear “Tedy Bruschi” and “another stroke” in the same sentence, at this point I think it’s pretty much to say this one was minor and not at all like that debilitating one from 2005. That one that no one who saw him being helped out of the hospital by his wife to the car and he was walking like – and I’m not trying to be flippant here, just descriptive – like McMurphy at the end of “Cuckoo’s Nest” can ever forget. After that one you couldn’t help but fear for his life or worry that he’d never be able to live normally. But from that description posted by the Bruschi family, it sounds for all the world like we don’t have to concern ourselves to that extent. Thank God.

According to the National Stroke Association, a TIA is:

When blood flow to part of the brain stops for a short period of time, also called transient ischemic attack (TIA), it can mimic stroke-like symptoms. These symptoms appear and last less than 24 hours before disappearing. While TIAs generally do not cause permanent brain damage, they are a serious warning sign that a stroke may happen in the future and should not be ignored.

Few people have ever done more for stroke victims, awareness, research and treatment than Bruschi has since that terrifying episode 14 years ago. So he knew the warning signs and took the appropriate precautions. And in doing so possibly prevented something much much worse. Here’s hoping others learn from it, heed the warning their body is giving them and does the same thanks to his example.

All we do know is in 2005 Tedy Bruschi suffered a fairly serious stroke due to restricted blood flow caused by spending a long time sitting on a plane coming back from the Pro Bowl in Hawaii. Then he went from a situation where we were just hoping he’d be able to live normally to back to the NFL by October. And in his first game back, racking up seven tackles in one of the most emotional sporting events I’ve ever been to. If he can kick the bag out of a an actual stroke and recover like he never had it, this TIA has no chance against him.

Here’s to a quick recovery and no more issues. Godspeed, Tedy Bruschi.