Overcoming

 

 

Overcoming. A couple of weeks ago, my letter M post was about my marvelous mom, who was recovering from a stroke and doing it rather well. We were all buoyed and uplifted by her grace and determination as she fought her way back from not being able to speak and remembering only her name to fully regaining all of the function she had lost. I don't think I have to tell you that we were feeling blessed by her spirit and tenacity.

Last Saturday, two weeks to the day after her first ischemic stroke, Mom had a second one. Needless to say, it was frightening for my stepfather to hear her go from talking on the phone one moment to not being able to say much at all the next. She was reluctant to go to the hospital (yes, she is a stubborn one), so he called the paramedics, who immediately rushed her to the nearest medical center. Once again, she was hit directly in her speech center; and this time, her left side was slightly affected as well. The recovery in the hospital was more up and down than previously, and a positive outcome seemed less predictable. We worried; we prayed; we worried; we prayed. We bargained with the Lord; we surrendered ourselves to His will. We bargained, surrendered, bargained, surrendered. When push came to shove, we realized that the outcome rests in His hands, that He has a plan for Mom, and that we need to trust in that plan.

I arrived in town yesterday (my sister Nikki was here for the first few days), and Mom came home from the hospital hours before I arrived. Happily, her mental faculties and acuity have bounced back once again, but physically she has some healing to do. Walking is difficult, not only because of her stroke but because she is suffering from an attack of gout. Clearly, she will need some physical therapy to strengthen her legs and restore her mobility, but we are all putting our money on her. It would be crazy not to, as she is the epitome of my N post last week: Never, Never, Never Give Up! And boy, are we glad.

A happy note is that a sort of impromptu family reunion has sprung up all of a sudden, with my siblings and my children driving or flying into town this weekend to offer their love and support in person. While Mom was aware that Dave and I were coming, we have decided to surprise her with the rest. Nothing makes her heart happier than to see her kids and grandkids walk through the door, and lifting her spirits in that way is bound to help her heal. Of course, we will be careful not to tire her out and will pay close attention to balancing her competing needs for companionship and alone time.

Thanks for so many emails sent, good wishes offered, and prayers extended. Every one is much appreciated by Mom, our family, and me. All is well; the Lord is in charge, and we are grateful.

=)

 

for more O posts, click below