A remarkable stroke journey: Readiness and action saved Lloyd Runnett's life
Before becoming executive director of the Louisa County Resource Council, Runnett was chief of emergency medical services and special operations for Henrico County, Va. With more than five decades of EMT experience, he never imagined being the patient needing immediate care.
The day started like any other, with Runnett of Mineral, Va. and his wife, Lynne, attending church, unaware of an imminent crisis. Runnett remembers their quiet afternoon relaxing at home afterward, occasionally chatting. Suddenly, Runnett, age 62 at the time, was struck by symptoms of a severe stroke, rendering him unable to communicate or move properly.
Runnett remained fully aware of what was happening despite being incapacitated in a matter of seconds.
"I knew I had left side weakness, and I knew I was having a serious stroke," he recalls, "But it was like being in a movie where I didn't have a speaking part. I could see and hear everything going on, but I couldn't communicate."
With her intuitive sense honed by years of marriage, Lynne swiftly recognized something was wrong and called for help.
"The funny thing about being married for a long time…is that intuition kicks in," he continues.
Thanks to the quick response of Louisa County Fire/EMS, which coincidentally dispatched the team Runnett once led as chief, he was swiftly transported to the Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in Charlottesville, Va.
Despite his inability to speak or move, Runnett's vast knowledge of emergency procedures allowed him to comprehend the gravity of his condition.
"I listened to them taking my vitals, pre-alerting the hospital that a stroke patient was coming in, and I was even reading my own EKG," he remembers. "I knew I was in good hands and that everything was set in motion for me to be treated successfully.”
Runnett believes two of the reasons he’s alive are that his wife and the medic crew responded so quickly. When he arrived at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, Runnett received rapid and expert care.
"From the time of the initial 911 call to me receiving the stroke medication and my time in the ICU, I got wonderful care," he notes.
Runnett experienced a gradual improvement in his condition. However, his journey to recovery took an unexpected and mysterious turn when he needed open-heart surgery due to an underlying mechanical issue—a complication rarely seen in someone of his age.
"I felt like I was on an episode of 'House,'" says Runnett, referring to the TV medical drama. "They brought in the 'closers' to figure out what was happening. They even asked about things I'd been exposed to while working with FEMA."
Throughout this ordeal, Runnett remained resilient, supported by his healthcare team's dedication and his family's unwavering love. He credits the seamless coordination between Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and a nearby hospital, where he was transferred for open heart surgery and valve replacement, as a big part of his recovery.
"If I had gone to another hospital or hadn't gotten the medication as quickly as I had, we would be having a very different conversation today," Runnett adds.
Reflecting on his experience, Runnett emphasizes the importance of knowing one's body and acting swiftly in the face of medical emergencies. His story serves as a testament to the critical role of preparedness, timely intervention and collaborative care in overcoming life-threatening conditions like stroke.
What are the warning signs of a stroke?
The symptoms of a stroke may differ based on the part of the brain involved. Symptoms often happen suddenly. One easy way to remember the main warning signs of a stroke is by remembering the term, "BE FAST."
"BE FAST" stroke symptoms:
B – Balance: Dizziness, sudden trouble walking or loss of balance.
E – Eyes: Trouble seeing or a sudden change in vision.
F – Face: Sudden weakness or numbness of the face. Drooping of an eyelid or one side of the face.
A – Arms: Weakness or numbness in an arm. This happens suddenly and usually on one side of the body.
S – Speech: Sudden trouble speaking, slurred speech or difficulty understanding what people say.
T – Time: Time to call emergency services. Write down what time symptoms started.
A stroke may occur even if only one "BE FAST" symptom is present.
Other less common signs of a stroke include:
- A sudden, severe headache with no known cause
- Nausea or vomiting
- Seizure
What to do if you suspect a stroke:
Call 9-1-1 at any sign of a stroke. The most important component of stroke treatment is time. Quick and accurate diagnosis of the type of stroke and the exact location of its damage is critical to reduce the risk of permanent damage to the brain. Disabilities can be prevented or limited if the patient is seen as soon as possible in an emergency room.
Find more stroke resources as well as Sentara Stroke Center locations at https://sentarastrokeawareness.com/
By: Amy Sandoval