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Cathy Siracusa, RN, and Franklin Foundation Hospital’s employee health/education coordinator spoke about stroke awareness Tuesday at the Franklin Rotary luncheon.
Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the US.
A stroke occurs when one of the blood vessels carrying blood to the brain is blocked, or bursts, causing the death of the brain cells in the area of the brain deprived of the blood it requires.
Siracusa stressed “timing” as a factor of pinnacle importance in awareness and treatment of a stroke.
According to the National Stroke Association, during the course of a stroke, brain cells die at a rate of 200 million per minute.
The faster a stroke is diagnosed, the faster it can be treated, and the better are the chances for recovery.
To help in remembering the symptoms of, and to preliminarily diagnose a stroke, Siracusa advocates the use of the acronym: FAST. The F stands for “Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?” The A stands for “Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one drift downward?” The S stands for “Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?” And lastly, the T stands for “Time: If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1.”
Siracusa said that most strokes can be treated if diagnosed within three hours of initiation, and that if any of the symptoms described in the FACE acronym are present, the likelihood of a stroke being in occurrence is 50 percent.
From January to August of 2017, FFH has employed its TeleStroke system in 20 cases. The system works to identify the type of stroke the patient is having, and treats the stroke accordingly, if able to be diagnosed in time. Of the 20 consults by TeleStroke at FFH, 10 cases were diagnosed as ischemic, the most common type of stroke, and of those ten cases, four cases were able to be administered a tissue plasminogen activator to break up the clot, and showed improvement.
Siracusa also discussed prevention of strokes. She said that being aware of one’s family history of strokes, looking after one’s diet, abstaining from smoking cigarettes, abstaining from or limiting alcohol consumption and remaining Diabetes and heart disease free, are all significant ways to vastly improve one’s chances of not having a stroke.
People who are 55 or older are at a more elevated risk of stroke than others, as are those who have previously had a stroke, or have Diabetes, high blood pressure, circulation problems or cholesterol buildup.
The NSA also notes that more women die of strokes, than do men. Though, women have a lower risk before menopause.
Siracusa stressed that if you are alone and think you may be showing the symptoms of a stroke, calling 911 instead of driving yourself to the emergency room, is the safest method of seeking treatment.
For more information about stroke diagnosis, treatment and prevention, contact the National Stroke Association at 1-800-787-6537, or visit www.stroke.org.

Berwick finished 1-3 at H.L. Bourgeois’ tournament last week in Gray.
Berwick fell to De La Salle and H.L. Bourgeois Thursday and South Lafourche Saturday. The local squad defeated South Terrebonne via forfeit Saturday.
Against De La Salle, Berwick fell 2-0 (25-13, 25-21).
Hannah Henry led the team with one kill, two assists, one ace and four digs. Other top contributors included Alyssa Gray, two assists, one ace and eight digs; Hanna McCue had four kills, one assist and one dig; Brittany Roberie, 11 digs; and Maci Broussard and Abby Sanford, five digs apiece.
Against H.L. Bourgeois, Berwick fell 2-0 (25-14, 25-15)
Gray led Berwick with four kills, three aces and seven digs. Other top Berwick contributors included Roberie, one ace and eight digs; Henry, six assists and three digs; Sanford, five digs; and Morgan Toups, two kills and one solo block
Against South Lafourche Saturday, Berwick fell 2-1 (25-21, 17-25, 15-17)
Berwick had six solo blocks and four block assists.
Gray led the team with two kills, two assists, 12 digs and a block assist. Other top Berwick contributors included Toups, five kills, two digs, three solo blocks and one block assist; Henry, one kill, four assist and 12 digs; Roberie, two aces and 11 digs; Sanford, one ace and seven digs; McCue, one kill, one dig, three solo blocks and a block assist; and Ryleigh Arnold, three digs and one block assist.
Patterson sweeps
Franklin
Patterson High School won its home opener Thursday as it swept Franklin 3-0 (25-5, 25-22, 25-16).
Patterson had 26 aces, led by 10 from Maddison Paul. Paul also contributed two digs.
Other top Patterson contributors were Morgan Jones, eight aces, one kill, one dig and one block; Tapanga Haven, three aces, one dig and four assists; Katelyn Larson, two aces and three assists; Kiora Grady, one ace and three kills; and Briyanna Butler, two kills and two blocks.
In junior varsity action, Patterson won 2-0 (25-15, 25-14).
Marcel led Patterson with four aces, four kills, one dig and one assist. Other top Patterson contributors included Larson, four aces, three kills and one dig; Butler, five kills; Deja Dugar, two aces, one dig and six assists; and Emma Marin, three assists.

A 33-year-old Morgan City woman was caught with drugs Monday after Morgan City police responded to a home in regard to the woman having active arrest warrants, Police Chief James Blair said in a news release.

—Jerri L. Champine-Dufren, 33, of Bush Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:07 a.m. Monday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of alprazolam, possession of marijuana second offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal use of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of juveniles on a warrant charging her with theft by shoplifting.

Patrol officers responded to a home in the area of Onstead Street in regard to Champine-Dufren holding warrants for her arrest. Officers arrived at the home and located Champine-Dufren.

She was found to be in possession of suspected methamphetamine, alprazolam, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Investigators located a juvenile at the home, Blair said.

The warrant stems from a Sept. 1 investigation when officers responded to a business in the area of La. 70 in regard to a shoplifter.

Champine-Dufren allegedly switched bar codes from cheaper items and placed them on more expensive ones, Blair said. When confronted by management, she fled the scene with the items, Blair said.

Champine-Dufren was identified as a suspect, and police found evidence linking her to the crime, Blair said. Warrants were prepared for Champine-Dufren’s arrest. She was arrested and jailed.

Blair reported responding to 34 calls and reported the following arrests:

—Angel Perez, 48, of Elizabeth Street in Houma, was arrested at midnight Monday on charges of no driver’s license, improper lane usage, inspection required, no insurance and resisting an officer.

Patrol officers observed a vehicle being operated in the area of La. 182 swerving from lane to lane. A stop was initiated, and Perez was later identified as the operator of the vehicle. Perez initially provided officers with a false name, Blair said.

Investigators found that the vehicle Perez was operating had no insurance or inspection sticker, and Perez did not have a valid driver’s license, Blair said. Perez was jailed.

—Heather D. LaCoste, 33, of Marshall Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:58 p.m. Monday on a warrant charging her with four counts of failure to appear to pay a fine.

LaCoste was located and arrested at the Lafayette Parish Detention Center on a Morgan City Court warrant. LaCoste was transported to the Morgan City jail.

—Cregory L. Johnson, 25, of Egle Mill Lane in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:24 p.m. Monday on charges of disturbing the peace intoxicated and resisting an officer.

Patrol officers responded to the area of Brashear Avenue in regard to a suspicious person. Officers arrived, and Johnson was located sleeping on a porch of a home. Johnson was found in an intoxicated state, Blair said.

After receiving medical attention, Johnson was arrested. Johnson resisted officers when he refused to enter the patrol car for transport, Blair said. Johnson was eventually placed in the unit and jailed.

—Ashley Clark, 39, of Seventh Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:48 p.m. Monday on warrants charging her with theft by shoplifting and resisting an officer.

Clark was located and arrested in the area of Orange Street on warrants. The warrants stem from July 3, 2016, investigation when officers responded to a business in the area of La. 182 in regard to a shoplifter. Clark was identified as the suspect, and police found evidence linking her to the crime, Blair said.

Clark allegedly took several items from the business without paying for them. Officers attempted to make contact with Clark but when approached she fled the area on foot. Warrants were prepared for her arrest. Clark was jailed.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported responding to 39 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests:

—Tyran Goudeau, 37, of Federal Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:12 p.m. Monday on a warrant for probation violation. Goudeau turned himself in at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. No bail is set.

—Blay Orestes, 45, of Southwest 63rd Street in Miami, was arrested at 5:48 p.m. Monday on a charge of theft of goods.

A deputy responded to a complaint of shoplifting at a store in Bayou Vista. The deputy spoke with store personnel and collected evidence that Orestes concealed items in his pocket. Orestes was released on a summons to appear in court on Dec. 1.

—Cameron Jackson, 18, of Sun Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:47 p.m. Monday on a charge of simple battery. A deputy responded to a call for service regarding a disturbance that occurred in a vehicle on U.S. 90. The deputy found that Jackson struck a female victim in the face while she was driving, Hebert said. Jackson was jailed with bail set at $2,500.

Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported the following arrest:

—Kacy Norman, 32, of Bayou Sorrel Road in Plaquemine, was arrested at 1:05 a.m. Tuesday on charges of obscenity and possession of a Schedule IV drug. No bail was set yet.

Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.

BJHS FUNDRAISER
Berwick Junior High band hosting a Mattress Fundraiser 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at the BJHS gym. All sizes of Beautyrest mattresses available.

CHRISTMAS CHILD
First Baptist Church, 1915 Victor II Blvd., Morgan City, holding its Operation Christmas Child Kickoff at noon Wednesday, Sept. 27. Public invited to hear testimony from a shoe box recipient.

MCHS CLASS OF ’62
A 55-year reunion for Morgan City High School Class of 1962 is Oct. 13-15. For details and to RSVP call 985-714-0919.