What Would You Do?

[dunnitall]

Trying to get opinions if possible please. Our friends man and wife for 30 yrs. We see them mostly once a week for a cuppa....however not seen them for a month due to us being unwell...until last week. We noticed how he..70's had facial droop and was rather 'out of it' in convo. He has not had a stroke before but has a pacemaker and a stent. It was noticeable to us both something was amiss with him. His wife has mentioned before about him not being 'right' but this time nothing even on the telephone when we have spoken.

Would you mention what we have observed...the facial droop and him not being quite with it and ask if he has had a slight stroke....or not mention it at all?

Normally their health is spoken about in every situation and the wife is quick to mention what has happened or treatments for whatever when she phones me or even when we meet up. We are both wondering if she knows what may have happened or not noticed it at all. I am prepared to broach it when speaking to her on the phone again this week. Am I wrong, is to right to say nothing or would you as a friend bring it to her attention? Thanks in advance for your opinion.

[Patsy33]

I would definitely mention it! Why don't you ring them and ask how they are and say you are concerned about friend. I'm sure she will understand.

[anneasquith]

As a concerned friend, mention what you have observed .

[Mamyalynne]

As you know them well enough to discuss health matters, then yes a mention would be in order - without being alarmist at all, because what's done is done but best to know the signs.

[marval]

I would mention it, if she hasn't noticed it, best to tell her.
I am sure she would appreciate your concern as a friend.

[Hopkirk]

She must have noticed

[Georgiesmum]

It may not be a stroke, maybe its Bells Palsy.

[woofgang]

another vote for a gentle mention

[dannyk13]

A quiet word with his wife would be in order.

[dunnitall]

Thanks everyone for your opinions very much appreciated and what I'd hoped for as I was thinking it was the thing to do.

[Sqad]

Georgismum above is spot on.
Is the "droop" one sided OR both sides of the face.....VERY important.
Whichever......mention it.

[dunnitall]

Sqad, it's one side and his mental capacity has markedly deteriorated which gave us cause to think a stroke. I did wonder it it could be Bell's Palsy but having looked it up some of the symptoms don't seem apparent from that.

[Sqad]

OK...does the "drooping " affect the eye or are the eye movements normal?

[Smowball]

I was going to say Bells Palsy too.

[dunnitall]

Sqad, the eyes aren't affected as he was opening and closing them ok. Just a marked droop one side and my OH said occasional slightly slurred speech and as though he wasn't entirely engaging in conversation as he always did. Thanks for your interest btw it's appreciated on the medical level.

[Sqad]

"Thanks for your interest btw it's appreciated on the medical level"

Thanks, but not by all.

It definitely isn't Bell's Palsy as the eye is affected on the dropping side, so with what you say, then it is another stroke and i bet that the medics know that.
What else can be done with his history........not a lot.