Ex-CIA, NSA chief Hayden suffers stroke

(CNN) — Michael Hayden, a former director of the CIA and National Security Agency, suffered a stroke earlier this week, his family said Friday.

In a statement, the family said Hayden, 73, suffered the stroke at his home and was hospitalized but did not provide details about the stroke's severity.

"He is receiving expert medical care for which the family is grateful," the statement said.

CIA Director Gina Haspel offered wishes on behalf of the agency Friday afternoon for a "speedy recovery."

"Mike's long career of public service & commitment to national security continue to be an inspiration to all intelligence officers. Our thoughts are with Mike, Jeanine, & their family," Haspel said on Twitter. Hayden, a retired four-star Air Force general who is now a CNN national security analyst, served during both the George W. Bush and Obama administrations. He retired as CIA director in 2009.

Since then, he has been a vocal critic of both the Obama and Trump administrations.

i do have to search for words from time to time and find that i get confused easier than i used to when too much is happening around me.

I passed a rigorous mental test after my last stroke and I believe it is because I had no blood clots in my brain.

There is more than one cause of a stroke.

MY advice is if you are standing get down on our hand and knees as fast as you can, to avoid injury in the fall from a stroke.
I had that opportunity in the first two, the third I went down like you turn a light off with a switch ,it was that fast. -Tom

The first stroke happened in my sleep. We later determined that something had happened, but couldn’t figure out what.

A bit later, i was taking a shower when my right arm stopped responding to my brain’s commands. It also felt as if it didn’t belong to me. i got out of the shower and was toweling off left handed —no big deal, i’m a lefty— and leaned over going off balance. Tried to catch myself with a right arm that wasn’t responding to my orders and hit the floor.

Fortunately i landed against the bathroom door forcing it open. My wife was on me like white on rice. When i tried to explain that my right arm wasn’t working all that came out was word salad and i remember noticing that i was drooling. THEN i realised what was happening to me. Apparently i was able to tell my wife to “shut up”...she was crying and screaming in my ear, which was very distracting. After about 20 minutes, i felt a “switch” turn on in my head, and i could talk again...no better way to describe it. i turned to her and said, “i’m coming back”. We managed to get me dressed and to hospital. It did take a while to regain the use of my arm. However it is today, 2 1/2 years later, as if i never had a stroke. No physical challenges at all. In hospital, i slept maybe 20 of the first 24 hours away.

In the midst of the testing the first stroke was detected with an MRI. i had no idea that it had been a stroke. It was on the opposite side of my brain from the second stroke.

My biggest worry is having another stroke hit while i’m driving. It is something i think about every time i get into my vehicle. So i’ve a plan that i’ve rehearsed in the event that ever happens. Assuming of course i don’t run into something i haven’t planned for, i should be ok, or at least be able to get the vehicle off the road and stopped.

Nobody could explain why. Heart rate excellent for a man over 60, blood pressure low normal, cholesterol levels good, etc. The working theory is that i had a minor aneurysm in my brain. A small capillary let loose.

Capt. Tom, i would not wish that to happen to my worst enemy. i am VERY glad to hear you tell of your recovery, and wish you at least another 20 years of FReeping. You have my prayers in that respect.

CDL

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