Promoting stroke awareness: Bob Newbold speaks from personal experience

by Mark Jahne

Editor

Bob Newbold is living proof that a “perfect storm” is not always a bad thing. It may start that way but the end result can positive.

Newbold, who is in his 70s, suffered a stroke nine years ago. It was March 20, 2017, to be exact. He clearly remembers the events of that day and is grateful that everything fell into place to enable him to enjoy a speedy and full recovery.

The Newington resident was working along with his wife Pat at the Thomas Fahy Insurance Agency office in West Hartford. He recalled the details that turned a seemingly normal day into a frightening experience.

Bob Newbold is a classic car enthusiast. He still drives this 1950 Plymouth Special Deluxe that was given to him by his father. (Jahne)

“I worked all morning and got up in the afternoon from my desk … I noticed my right arm was hanging limp,” he said. “I got back to my desk and I collapsed.”

His co-workers, including Pat, heard him fall and discovered him on the floor between the furniture.

“She thought I was having a heart attack. They called 911 right away,” Newbold said.

An American Medical Response ambulance arrived within a few minutes. He described the immediate 911 call and the prompt ambulance response as “the perfect storm of things that could go right.”

The emergency medical technicians began working on him while they rushed him to the Hartford Hospital Comprehensive Stroke Center. They transmitted information while in route so the doctors and nurses in that center were ready and waiting when he arrived.

“I lost [control of] my whole right side and couldn’t talk,” Newbold recalled. “They went right to work. Every second counts,” he said.

He remembers thinking that, if he survived, he would have to become left-handed for the remainder of his life. He had a prior history of atrial fibrillation but was not taking a blood thinner and that enabled a clot to form in his brain, causing the stroke.

An intravenous blood thinner called TPA was administered. The doctors performed a mechanical thrombectomy by inserting a small tube in Newbold’s groin and guiding it to the brain clot, which was then safely removed.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a thrombectomy is a medical procedure used to remove blood clots from arteries or veins to restore blood flow and prevent severe tissue damage or death. It is frequently used as an emergency and time-sensitive treatment for acute ischemic stroke, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms.

Bob Newbold and his wife Pat. (submitted)

Just 48 hours after suffering his stroke he was back home walking his dog. The perfect storm of things that all went right was complete. He had no physical or cognitive deficits and didn’t require rehab. There was even an unexpected positive side effect.

“Since I had the stroke, I lost 40 pounds,” he said with a smile. “I was just blessed.”

He paid a visit to AMR headquarters in West Hartford to meet and thank the EMTs who treated him that day. Newbold still becomes emotional when he talks about what they did to save his life and protect him from any permanent harm.

Next came the opportunity to talk to various groups about stroke prevention and awareness.

“Hartford Healthcare asked me to speak at a stroke conference,” he said.

That led to more speaking invitations including the local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, Newington Veterans Coffeehouse and Anunciation Parish. His most recent presentation was on May 17 at the annual meeting of the Newington Historical Society & Trust.

He also appeared on television news shows and radio broadcasts. He even did a podcast with a man in Australia. As this issue went to press, he was scheduled to participate with Hartford Healthcare in a “Strike Out Stroke” event prior to the May 29 Hartford Yard Goats game against the Altoona Curve.

“Between my stoke and COVID I did close to 100 presentations,” Newbold said. “I was lucky. ‘Stroke of Luck’ is what I call my presentation.”

He talks about the different types of stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic), the fact that they are the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States, and that more than 800,0000 Americans suffer from a stroke annually.

Newbold also discusses the risk factors. They include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.

“The goal of my presentation is how to recognize a stroke,” he said.

Symptoms can include loss of balance, loss of arm strength, vision problems, droopy face and difficulty with speech. The most important thing anyone can do is to call 911 immediately. NL

For more information, or to schedule a “Stroke of Luck” presentation, call 860-874-1479 or email strokeawarenessguy@gmail.com.