YOUR LIFE YOUR HEALTH

Utah Man Survives Stroke, Urges Others To Know The Signs

May 27, 2021, 10:49 PM | Updated: Apr 14, 2023, 2:40 pm

SALT LAKE CITY — Only about 40% of Americans can identify all five major symptoms of a stroke — a scary figure when quick treatment is critical for recovery. A 45-year-old Utah man said he’s grateful his wife knew the signs when he suffered an ischemic stroke in February.

On Feb. 3, 2021, David Lamb woke up early to hit the gym.

“I got up to go to the gym, put on my shorts and was crouched down and fell on my butt,” he said.

When his wife, Mollee Lamb, noticed he had fallen over a couple of times, she grew concerned, but after checking him over, “I got him back to bed thinking it was a migraine,” Mollee said.

He could still move his fingers, arms and legs.

When he woke up a couple of hours later, David said he was off-balance, dizzy, and his left arm and leg felt heavy.

“It just felt like a 20-pound bag of sand on one side of my body,” he described. “It just felt weird. I had no coordination over there.”

“I said, ‘Oh, we’re going to the hospital. That’s definitely a sign of stroke,'” said Mollee.

His wife got him to the hospital to receive IV medication within 90 minutes.

“It was within the window where he could have the clot-busting shot,” she said, which is key in preventing brain loss.

“(The tPA IV medication) is something that helps dissolve that clot and helps restore the blood flow to the effective part of the brain, so the sooner you get that, the better off you are,” David Lamb explained.

Dr. Megan Donohue, a neurologist with Intermountain Healthcare, said when it comes to stroke, time is brain.

“There’s some estimates that we lose 32,000 neurons every second that we delay,” she said.

She uses the acronym BE FAST as a guideline for the signs of stroke.

  • B: Balance — sudden dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
  • E: Eyes — sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • F: Face — sudden weakness of the face (Does one side of your face droop?)
  • A: Arm — weakness of an arm or leg
  • S: Speech — sudden difficulty speaking
  • T: Time — time the symptoms started

Donohue said if someone is experiencing even just one of these symptoms, it’s time to call 911 or go immediately to the hospital.

By delaying care, Donohue said patients might not have as many treatment options available, risking irreversible brain damage and permanent disability.

“It could be anywhere from cognitive changes, to speech disturbances, to weakness or numbness on half your body for the rest of your life,” she explained.

Donohue said they can administer IV medications within the first 4.5 hours of symptom onset and can remove a clot within 24 hours after a large vessel has been blocked, but the sooner doctors intervene, the better chance for recovery.

David Lamb, a 45-year-old marathon runner, was in great shape.

“I would bike for an hour in the afternoons. I would go lift weights five times a week. I had just bench-pressed 250,” he said.

“We see people in their 30s, 40s, and even 50s, in denial about having a stroke and delaying the call to 911, or just thinking that the symptoms will go away,” Donohue said. “It could happen to anyone at any time.”

Now, Lamb is starting over with physical, occupational and speech therapy.

45-year-old David Lamb suffered an ischemic stroke on February 3rd. He is now recovering through physical, occupational, and speech therapy. His wife, Mollee Lamb, coaches him through exercises on a balance board to help restore function in his leg. (KSL TV) 45-year-old David Lamb suffered an ischemic stroke on February 3rd, in which a blood vessel in his brain was blocked preventing blood flow to part of his brain. Without early intervention, Dr. Megan Donohue says a stroke could result in irreversible damage or permanent disability. (Intermountain Healthcare) David and Mollee Lamb have been married for 22 years. In February, Mollee noticed David was exhibiting signs of having a stroke when he was dizzy, off balance, and his left arm and left were heavy. She immediately took him to the hospital to get care. (KSL TV) David and Mollee Lamb love to run races together. David's competed in 10 marathons, several triathlons, Ragnar races, and even a 50K. He has a goal of running a 5k in August, marking six months from his stroke. (Courtesy: David & Mollee Lamb) David and Mollee Lamb are the parents of three young children, including a ten-year-old son and five-and-a-half year old twins. (Courtesy: David & Mollee Lamb) On February 3rd, 45-year-old David Lamb suffered an ischemic stroke. Within 90 minutes of symptoms onset, he received IV medication at the hospital to dissolve the clot in his brain, preventing long term damage. (Courtesy: David & Mollee Lamb) David Lamb is grateful he is still healthy enough to be active with his three young kids. He is working hard in recovery now to continue to do so in years to come. (Courtesy: David & Mollee Lamb) David and Mollee Lamb love to run races together. David's competed in 10 marathons, several triathlons, Ragnar races, and even a 50K. He has a goal of running a 5k in August, marking six months from his stroke. (Courtesy: David & Mollee Lamb) David Lamb loves to bake with his kids in the kitchen. He's grateful he and his wife, Mollee Lamb, got to the hospital soon enough to receive IV medication to prevent long term damage from a stroke he suffered in February. (Courtesy: David & Mollee Lamb) 45-year-old David Lamb, a marathon runner, was in great shape when he suffered a stroke. He would bike in the afternoons, lift weights five days a week, and had even just bench-pressed 250 pounds. (Courtesy: David & Mollee Lamb)

“I have to learn how to move my leg. It’s sort of annoying — I have to think about how to walk,” he said.

He’s back to riding his indoor bike and doing pool therapy to help him regain function in his leg.

“You need to get your heart rate up, you need to get that blood flow going to your brain so that your brain relearns or reaccesses parts,” he explained.

In addition to physical recovery, Lamb’s brain is also healing.

“Some of my impacts have been my executive functioning, scheduling, really managing my day — so that’s been something where I’ve had to get like a Franklin planner-type thing, where I go and write down what I’m going to be doing all day, where I’m going,” he said.

Even though recovery is difficult, Lamb said he’s grateful they acted quickly enough to avoid or reduce the long-term implications so he can enjoy life with his wife and their three young kids.

Mollee Lamb recalled one of the most difficult moments when she was first in the hospital with David.

“I was really contemplating, ‘What does this mean for our family?’ (The) worst-case scenario is going through my head,” she said. “I leaned over him and held him on the bed and told him that we could we could make it through — whatever happened, we could make it through. And then he teased me and started laughing hysterically, and I knew at that point, his personality was intact and we would be fine.”

David hasn’t lost his sense of humor or infectious laugh and isn’t taking anything for granted.

“I think it’s valuing each day, valuing each opportunity with them,” he said. “I can go on the hikes, I can go swimming with them, I can have that fun with them, and I have to pay my dues now to do that over the long term.”

“It’s been truly inspiring to watch his recovery,” Mollee Lamb said.

David plans to run a 5K in August, marking six months after his stroke.

Mollee urged others to become familiar with the symptoms of stroke. She said being educated is the key to long-term wellbeing.

“I don’t know how many stroke victims realize in the moment that they’re having a stroke because it’s new and different,” Mollee said. “So it’s really important for family members to be aware of family history and what are the signs and symptoms of stroke.”

Both of David’s parents have also suffered from a stroke.

Donohue said other risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity.

“Know the signs and symptoms of stroke, know your own risk factors, and then as soon as you notice the symptoms come up, call 911,” Donohue said.

Intermountain Healthcare noticed a decline in patients seeking care for a stroke during the pandemic in fear of getting COVID-19. Doctors assured people the hospital is a safe place to receive care.

KSL 5 TV Live

Your Life Your Health

Davis (right) with her child visiting her doctor. (KSL TV's Emma Benson)...

Emma Benson

What you need to know about getting vaccinated while pregnant

It's cold and flu season, and pregnant mothers and newborns are among those most vulnerable to illnesses, but expectant moms can protect themselves -- and their babies -- through vaccination.

3 days ago

On the one-year anniversary of his heart attack, Morgan Daines and Dr. O'Neal rode up Wolf Creek Pa...

Emma Benson

Don’t wait: heart attack rapid response saves life of Utah dad

If you or a loved one were to experience a heart attack, time becomes a matter of life or death. KSL's Emma Benson shows us how a collaborative program at Intermountain Medical Center saved the life of an otherwise healthy patient.

10 days ago

Holiday dinner...

Emma Benson

Food prep tips to prepare that Thanksgiving feast safely

It's almost time to gobble up that delicious, long-awaited meal. Before you throw that turkey in the oven, there are some things you need to know. 

19 days ago

Therapist talks to dancer...

Emma Benson

Dancers always aware of potential for injuries

It's an art form and a sport that’s beautiful to watch. But dance doesn’t come without risk of injury.  

24 days ago

Debra Eaton rolling out in a wheelchair after having her surgery....

Emma Benson

Davis County woman who nearly lost foot urges other diabetics to monitor health

A 7th-grade teacher is hoping her experience of almost losing her leg to diabetes will urge others to take care of their health.

1 month ago

(KSL TV)...

Dan Rascon

A newborn screening test could be all difference between life and death

A newborn screening test in Utah could be the difference between life and death.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

Utah Man Survives Stroke, Urges Others To Know The Signs