Life is full of milestones, you know the "I made it through" times. Yesterday, I heard my husband referencing Max Lucado's study called "You'll Get Through This." He says, "It won't be painless. It won't be quick. But God will use this mess for good."
What has God seen you through?
Eight years ago today I suffered a stroke which left me paralyzed on my left side.
I had just driven to Nashville, TN to visit our daughter's family and was playing with our grandsons in one of their bedrooms when it happened. Fortunately, our daughter was home and I was able to speak and call to her.
Three minutes later EMTs arrived and within 25 minutes I was receiving the miracle stroke drug, TPA My husband was the head of a private school at the time and it was back to school night. His cell phone did not work in the school gym where the event was being held. It was 10 PM before our daughter could reach him and he began the 8 hour drive to Nashville.
The photo above is of our son who flew immediately from Minneapolis and surprised me in ICU. His wife is a nurse and it was great to have all her knowledge.
Several days later I was moved from ICU to the neurology floor and another son flew in from VA Beach.
The following week I was moved to the hospital's inpatient rehab center where these two little grandsons visited almost every day.A dear friend from Charleston, SC flew to Nashville and slept on a cot right next to my bed, so I didn't that to be alone and our daughter, who had been carrying the burden of me, could be home with her boys.
My husband had gone home to work for a week and then returned and spent a couple nights in the rehab center with me. This was the first day I was allowed to be wheeled outside and it felt so good!One day our daughter brought her harp to the rehab center and won the hearts of everyone there!
The photos below are of my best friend from college who flew in from Sarasota, FL our daughter, Jiewon,who came from MN and our youngest son and his wife who flew to Nashville from Atlanta to visit while I was living with our daughter and going everyday to out patient therapy.
From Nashville I went to VA Beach and did therapy for a week because there was a primary stroke center 3 blocks from our son's home.
On this anniversary I thank God for all he has allowed me to regain, for all the people who loved and supported me through a very difficult seven months, and accept me with the limitations I still have.
I thank God for the medical personnel who cared so graciously for me. From the EMT's, to the specialist at the ST Thomas primary stroke center in Nashville, the doctors, nurses and therapists at the rehab center and out patient therapy center.
Just this morning a friend from water aerobics told me her mother died at age 49 from a stroke. The tears welled in my eyes.
I also stop and pray for my fellow stroke survivors who work everyday to keep on keeping on and for the families of those who did not survive after having a stroke.
I will "Be joyful always, pray without ceasing and in all things give thanks."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
The Song
"Gratitude" by I am They
