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.
Lord,
Thank You for the gifts that You bestow upon us all! We need Your help for an online friend and his family.
Please help Rick to be calm while he is laid low. Please help his doctors to be wise and sure in their treatments. Please help Michael be strong and step in for the familiy to assist their weary father.
Please nestle them all in Your bosom and give them the love that will see them through this trial. Give strength to Ricks family and help them know that You are with them and him.
Please hear our prayer!
Thy will be done.
Amen
Prayers for your brother, you, and your loved ones!
Prayers for your brother and your entire family that they may all get the strength needed to overcome this together.
Continued prayers for you, your brother and your entire family.
Michael, I'll definitely keep your brother, you and all of your family in my prayers.
I know you would work yourself to death if you didn't think of the consequences, so always think of the consequences.
My wife had a cerebral hemorrhage from a ruptured aneurysm and despite the initial misdiagnosis and dangerous treatment at Kennestone, she was back to normal within a few weeks.
They ignored her stated symptoms of temporary loss of motor control that caused her to call 911 and put her on a treadmill to check her heart!
The X-ray of the hugh mass of blood pooled in the brain was the scariest part of the whole experience.
My wife is fine now and I'm sure Rick will be fine!
O holy Angel who strengthened Jesus Christ our Lord, come and strengthen us, also; come and tarry not
V's wife
Those cage-rattling moments can really get your attention, can't they? Or life-changing events, as they're often called too.
I pray for your brother and your family as you go through this together. My father died of a stroke at age 72 in 1977, and medical technology has come light years in that time. 42 is young for a stroke, but if his age is an advantage in recuperating, so be it!
*snicker* From what you wrote of Rick's reaction to your Dad playfully taking the necklace, it looks like you may not even need to do that!
God Bless Rick and his family and all of your family. I'll add him to our Parish Prayer list for a full recovery!
Prayers going up.
Prayers sent.
Your brother, and your family, is in my prayers this evening.
prayers
Sending a prayer for your brother's recovery, and for your family in this difficult time.
Prayers for your brother and for a quick recovery.
Our Father, Hail Mary & Glory Be said.
Prayers going up!
My prayers for you and your brother. You are very blessed to have a strong family. And we're blessed to have been asked to lend our hearts and hands.
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