At first, Allen Stephens thought he was just having a bad migraine.

The assistant director of Oncology Services at Atrium Health Floyd was at work this past May, performing some CPR exercises when he noticed he just didn’t feel right.

“Two of the fingers on my right hand just felt tired and I was a little dizzy,” said Stephens, who also leads the outpatient infusion center at Floyd Medical Center and has served in health care for more than three decades.

He said he thought about driving home, but had a feeling that just wasn’t the right thing to do. He called a teammate, and they decided to go to the Emergency Care Center at Atrium Health Floyd.

Stephen said he was glad he paid attention his inner voice. It turned out that at the age of 55 and in relatively good health, he was experiencing symptoms of a stroke.

A CT scan showed nothing, but an MRI determined he had a stroke. Stephens suggested that a recent, long flight to Hawaii may have played a role in his condition. He also said doctors at Floyd discovered he had a small hole in his heart, which had gone undiagnosed prior to his visit to the ECC.

He was treated with aspirin and Plavix, which prevents blood clots. He is still taking medication for his cardiac issue, but will be off that soon.

Stephens said is grateful to have yet another holiday season portraying Saint Nick, which he has been doing for three decades. He said at his age he is glad that he no longer needs any help coming up with a white beard.

Saint Nick will visit the Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center lobby this Thursday and again on Dec. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. Bring your camera or cell phone and take a picture with Santa. Donations will be accepted to help Cancer Navigators provide support services for cancer patients.

“I am just glad I went to get checked out,” said Stephens. “I don’t know what would have happened if I had tried to drive home.” Ignoring stroke symptoms can be a deadly decision.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability among adults. Recognizing the signs of stroke and getting medical treatment as quickly as possible could improve the outcome.
Use BE FAST to help you recognize the signs of a stroke:

• Balance: Is there a sudden problem with balance or a loss of coordination?
• Eyes: Is there a sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, or sudden blurriness or double vision?​
• Face: Ask the person to smile. Are one or both sides of the face numb or drooping?
• Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? Is there weakness or numbness in one arm or on one side of the body?
• Speech: Is the person suddenly slurring words, difficult to understand or unable to speak? Can the person correctly repeat simple phrases?
• Time: If you notice any of these symptoms, even if they go away, call 911 immediately!
• Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center has received Advanced Certification as a Primary Stroke Center in conjunction with Get with the Guidelines® – Stroke Gold ​Plus Recognition from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.​

Hospitals that earn this certification:

• Have an acute stroke team available 24/7 that can be at the bedside within 15 minutes
• Provide surgical services 24/7
• Provide designated beds for stroke patients
• Offer clot busting medication