photo: CCO public domain
Reflections on this past year, remind me of GOD’s care for us.
2015 started off just like any year.
There wasn’t anything terribly unusual about it.
The word I chose for the year was the word healthy.
A part of me felt shaky about that choice.
As if there might come a time when ill health would hit during the year.
I get these niggly feelings at times that I try not to think about much.
Because they could simply be the verbalization of fear
Or a premonition that GOD is warning me of things to come.
Sometimes they happen, sometimes not.
I take note of them, but don’t take them too seriously.
Our birthdays passed with nothing eventful happening,
but suddenly during the night, April 24th, everything changed!
Ron’s 77th birthday came and went in March.
Then my 69th came and went in early April.
In the middle of the night on April 24, I woke up to find Ron struggling in the bathroom.
I assessed him for a couple of minutes and was certain he was having a stroke.
I got him back on the bed while I dressed and called my daughter. stop
In my assessment, I determined that I could get him to the emergency room faster
Than I could wait for an ambulance to come.
So I grabbed his medication list and insurance information,
Helped him dress, and along with my daughter, we got him in the car
Then both of us headed for the emergency room with Holly following behind.
I talked to him all the way there…and he talked to me.
We arrived in the ER 1/2 hour after I found him.
They immediately swarmed him and had an IV in him and asked us pertinent info.
Soon he was having a CT scan.
Within a few hours, he was admitted to the hospital.
It was great to have my daughter there.
Since that day, he has had a variety of therapies, both acute therapy the first 2 weeks
And outpatient therapy for a few months.
He has progressed well in many ways
But because of where the stroke hit, he is different.
He can walk and talk.
But his sense of order and awareness of the passing to time?
That is not up to par.
As we adjust to the changes, we are also aware of GOD’s goodness to us, often shown through His people
We are still adjusting to the changes.
I have had to take on jobs he was able to do before.
Both of us are at varying levels of grief.
But we are also aware of GOD’s goodness in times of trouble.
Our trouble hasn’t been as hard as that of many others.
GOD has provided what we have needed when we needed it.
One grace for Ron is that he is able to drive, something he truly enjoys.
Reflecting on GOD’s grace to us is good.
GOD has provided what we have needed when we needed it. Share on X
Seeing the beauty around us
Enjoying the presence of family
Sharing the goodness of GOD’s people at church,
In our small group and in other settings.
All have helped with recovery.
My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.Psalm 63:5-8
What a scary experience, Martha. I’m so sorry for the changes in your husband, I can imagine you’ve been through a season of grief. I’m glad you are able to recognize God’s goodness, even in your challenges. You’re an encouragement to others.
My husband has had 2 TIA’s. He lost A BIT of mental acuity in his first experience, but went on to complete his PhD!! Go figure! He is still one smart guy.
it is difficult during this season of life to watch my husband failing. he has always been the one i could lean on. he was the one who could answer my questions or point me in the direction i needed to go to find an answer. watching him struggle and sometimes lose ground is hard. but at the end of the day, it is still nice to have him close to curl up next to.
are you in the US for an extended stay now betsy?
Martha, that sounds like such a difficult and scary experience for you and your husband. I’m glad he has made good progress and that you have known God with you and experienced his goodness through it all.
it was scary carly, but not as scary as it could have been. i’m a nurse and worked in rehab with stroke patients among others. at least i knew what to do and didn’t feel helpless. i knew i needed to get him to the hospital right away so the damage didn’t worsen and so he could be watched carefully for that first 24-48 hours to prevent complications.
it is something we can’t take lightly. even if clot buster medications can’t be given, i learned that IV fluids help prevent further damage after the stroke (depending on the type). there are many new protocols for treating strokes and assessing the damage since i first started working in nursing. it is quite exciting to know the progress that has been made so patients don’t have to have all the lingering side effects they once did.
and even for the scary times, we have GOD’s goodness and grace to hold onto!
Martha, I didn’t know about your husband. I love that, through your opportunity to learn/deepen your definition of HEALTH this year, you’ve seen God’s goodness in so many ways. When things don’t go the way we expect, looking for God’s goodness helps ease the unease, the fear, the other feelings that try to waylay us.
May your Christmas season hold peace and rest and joy.
thanks jeanne:) i hope this season is a wonderful one for you and your family as well:)
So glad that Ron is doing ok. It could’ve been so much worse. God was with you that day and continues to care for you both. I’m over in the #11 spot.
you are so right tara:) we were very blessed.