10-year-old Sask. girl helps save grandmother's life
A Saskatchewan woman’s granddaughter is being recognized for helping save her life and minimizing the effects of stroke after she called 911.
Marleen Conacher, her son and two granddaughters were preparing for a movie night at home when she began feeling a bit off.
She said her mind went blank then it came back, then she started losing feeling in her arms, fell and the rest is blurry.
“There was no pain or nothing, it was just frustration and maybe a bit of emptiness in my head,” she told CTV News.
Conacher’s granddaughter Meaka Star, who was 10 years old at the time, checked on her and noticed that something wasn’t right, so she called on her dad who then instructed her to call 911.
“She was acting all weird and stuff, like what is happening? So, I was so confused,” Meaka said.
Conacher was taken to a hospital in North Battleford then to Saskatoon where she stayed overnight and gained back her consciousness then was let out the next day.
A few days later, Conacher had another stroke but Meaka said this time she knew the signs and was able to react quicker.
FAST is an acronym used to identify signs of a stroke. It stands for face, arms, speech and time. If a person’s face is dropping, if they can’t raise both arms and if their speech is slurred or jumbled, it’s time to call 911 right away, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
“The first stroke that she had, it was very confusing and I didn’t know what to do. But then the second time, the stroke was happening and I knew what to do and I remembered FAST,” Meaka said.
Meaka’s fast thinking got her recognized at her school in Turtleford on Thursday by WestMed Paramedics and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Allan Schneider, a primary care paramedic with WestMed, said their story also highlights the importance of calling 911 and not just going to the closest hospital, but the hospital that has the right tools.
He said once paramedics determine that it is a stroke, special screenings like CT scans are needed.
“A stroke is a stroke and the faster you can get them to the right hospital for intervention of care then the better off the outcomes are,” Schneider said.
“We call the stroke alert to the incoming hospitals and they have everything ready. So, time is of the essence.”
WestMed intermediate care paramedic Jennifer Larre added that once a hospital is alerted of an incoming stroke patient, the CT scanner room is cleared out so that the patient can be brought in right away.
“The doctors and nurses are waiting to do their assessment and they get that CT done, get the results as well as starting IVs to prepare to give treatment as soon as they possibly can,” she said.
Conacher said she is grateful for that system and her granddaughter’s swift actions.
“My life was saved and at the very least, I’m not in a wheelchair or I’m not in a home where I have to be looked after because of the speed that I got to for help.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.