Posted on 01/24/2007 10:24:26 PM PST by mhking
As most of you know, my time is generally not my own these days -- I am a web producer for the NBC station in Atlanta, plus at this time of year, I'm also a tax preparer for H&R Block. Plus I always keep a side-hustle of some sort or another (I've been doing a lot of mystery shopping the past year or so)...
In any event, sometimes God reaches out and rattles the cage to remind me who's truly in charge.
I received a phone call yesterday that truly rocked my core.
My 42-year-old younger brother had suffered a stroke. My dad called me at work with the news, sounding so much older and weary than I had heard him in many years. He and my mom were at the hospital in Chicago, along with my sister-in-law and her entire clan.
Thankfully, I had enough presence of mind not to jump behind the wheel, realizing that I was in no condition to try to go home. After a silent prayer, and a rushed phone call to my wife, I threw myself into my work, trying to get through the night.
He has no movement on the right side of his body. He cannot speak. But, my dad says, he has recognition of those around him. He's able to nod and shake his head yes and no.
The doctors say that with what they called aggressive rehab and therapy, that he should regain the vast majority of what he's lost. They say that his age is in his favor.
A good sign is that he has been fighting to try to move his right foot and hand.
A CAT scan today showed no blood or fluid buildup in his brain. An MRI tomorrow will look a bit deeper, to be sure.
The physical therapist came in to see him today, and said that Rick was trying to pull himself up with his left arm, and using that arm to pull his right arm across, which, too, is a good sign.
I'm in Atlanta, and my sister is with her husband in San Francisco. We figure we'd be in the way if we tried to go home now, so we are waiting a bit -- perhaps until he comes home. We figure there will be more of a need for us to help out then.
And while I'm praying real hard for him, I can always use more hearts praying for him. And for myself for that matter. I'm not being selfish; I just need to have more strength to endure and be strong for everyone else.
Our family -- blood and extended -- is a strong one, and we're all there for each other. I just know that extra prayer is always in order. I thank you all in advance, folks. And God bless each and every one of you.
Lighting that candle (link in Post 99) was a great blessing for me. I recommend the experience to all, it was fun. With the bad weather in many parts of the country, many people can't get out to church or are afraid of the snow-covered and icy parking lots. This way, a person can light a candle from home and register a prayer request. Thanks for posting.
God's blessings on your brother and your whole family at this difficult time. I hope that at his young age his recovery will swift and complete.
Your faith will be your strength.
Peace,
IJ
You bet. (Note that they last for 48 hours only.)
Continuing in prayer for Rick and the King family.
Prayers for your brother.
Prayers for healing, peace, strength and courage.
Prayers for you and your entire family.
Prayers up!
Michael, you, your brother and entire family, have our prayers.
I don't always post a response to prayer threads, but when I see them, I always pray.
I believe that prayers for strangers or people you have never met in person, certainly do help. I wont go into it in great detail right now, but when I was 10 years old, I was on what I had learned was going to be my deathbed. I was on the third day of a temperature of 108.
Believe me, you haven't lived until your body is being ravaged by an infection ( the poor doctors had no cure) , while your entire body is in relentless pain, being given continuous ice enemas, while on an ice mattress, with fans blowing in the room as the nurses rub you down with alcohol. :>)
I had thought an old man was on a bed outside my hospital room and I heard nurses say that he was going to die tonight..... and I heard them crying. I was scheduled to have my left arm amputated (at the shoulder) the next morning.
I saw snow coming down and thought of angels flying in the night sky. I had thought that they may be coming for the old man. I prayed for that old man. again and again.
By morning, my fever had broke and my arm was never amputated. When I asked about how the old man was doing, I was reminded that I was in a children's hospital. I spent a year in that hospital and although I had endured horrible pain, I look back on those day with fondness. Also, I did get to meet the Harlem Globe Trotters while I was there.
The point of the story: I always pray for those that ask......and hey, you never know, you might actually be praying for yourself.
Now.......do yourself a favor...eat, sleep, think and in all ways, try to keep yourself healthy. You, your brother and entire family do not need the stress of another problem right now.
God Bless,
Dan
P.S. I would also pray for the Doctors, many have been true heroes in my life. It is often the dedication of those doctors that help us get to our next breath, next heartbeat and on the road to recovery.
Prayers for you and your family, my dear FRiend. You are not alone with your sadness and worry. We will help carry the weight of it.
Our prayers are with you.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Mike.
We lift up Mike's brother in prayer to you.
Please comfort the family and guide the doctors, nurses
and caregivers.
Your will be done Lord.
In Jesus' Holy name I pray this prayer.
Amen.
Notre père, qui êtes aux cieux!
Que votre nom soit sanctificié. Que votre règne vienne.
Que votre volonté soit faite, sur la terre comme au ciel.
Donnez-nous aujourd'hui notre poindre ce jour.
Pardonnez-nous nos offenses, comme nous pardonnons aussi a ceux, qui nous ont offensés,
et ne nous soumetez pas à la tentation, mais délivrez-nous du mal.
Car c'est à toi qu'appartiènne, le régne, la puissance et la gloire, pour les siècles des siècles.
Amen.
Je vous salue, Marie, pleine de grâces,
le Seigneur est avec vous, vous êtes bénie entre toutes les femmes,
et Jésus le fruit de vos entrailles est béni.
Sainte Marie, Mère de Dieu, priez pour nous pauvres pécheurs,
maintenant, et à l'heure de notre mort. Ainsi-soit-il.
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Prayer bump
May God bless your brother and guide the hands and minds of his healers.
Prayers from the Northeast for your brother, your family, and you, mhking.
Mike...May God bless your brother with healing..and you and your family with strength and calm..
God Bless and watch over your brother and your family. Please let us know how his recovery goes. He sounds like a fighter!
Prayers for you and yours. I have one brother, and there's no other bond like the bond between brothers.
Prayers sent
I will say a prayer right now for you and your family.
Thanks for the update. Stay strong.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.