(Banner courtesy of the Stroke Association. Visit their website here.) Recently, two of my closest friends suffered strokes. One is in perfect health, always watched her weight, exercised religiously, stayed out of trouble. The other has sickle cell and has had many health crises throughout the years. They're both under 40. They're both mothers. It's weird when someone your age suffers a serious health problem. You see, we tend to think we're