One Never Knows What Lies Ahead

When I wrote last we had no idea life would get crazy Tuesday morning. Mom has had a light stroke. Her right arm and leg have been mildly affected. Her speech and clarity of thought are fine. Here’s how it all happened.

We put the kids on the school bus in front of Kenny’s house. Mom likes to watch us from her bedroom window. Tuesday morning she got up a little after 7:00 and went to the bathroom--twice. All this happened on the second trip to the bathroom.

Mom usually takes hold of the bed post to steady herself as she walks by. This time she couldn’t make her right arm work well enough to do that. Thinking it odd she continued on to the bathroom. At the bathroom door she felt her legs were getting weak so she hurried to the toilet. Once there she realized she needed to call for help so she pushed her lifeline button. The lifeline service called our house right as the kids and I were walking out to go to the bus shop. I went straight to Mom’s. Vicki got the kids on the bus and followed. The ambulance was just a few moments behind her. When I found Mom she was very cognizant and coherent. Her inability to do much with her right arm was the biggest thing we noticed.

Mom was taken straight away to Skyline Medical Center where she has been responding well to treatment. She was moved to their rehab floor last night and begins therapy in earnest today. We feel the damage from the stroke is minimal and I am optimistic that she will be able to regain her motor skills well enough to live independently once again. It’s just going to take time to get there which will be frustrating for her. Her spirits have remained good all this week though.

We appreciate your keeping her in your prayers.

Joe