Monday, June 25, 2012

For the first time in my life, I find it too hard to write. Two weeks ago, at 6:30 a.m. I was just awakening, groggily imagining a quiet weekend with not much to do beyond interviewing a potential new handyman. The phone jangled and suddenly I was wide awake. Caller ID showed my daughter-in-law’s cell number. I knew it was bad news. Getting up at 6:00 is simply not done in that household on a summer Saturday. The news was worse than I imagined. My son had had a stroke in the middle of the night; they were at the emergency room. My daughter was on her way to pick me up.




From that moment on, I have existed in a bubble of unreality, living one moment at a time, not allowing myself to look back, afraid to look too far forward. Thinking too much is like taking a scalpel and cutting myself open.



Despite a left hemisphere stroke, his news was pretty good. Absolutely no physical involvement. When he had his PT evaluation, the therapist began by asking him to lift his leg, stand on one foot, and eventually had him running down the hall, running up and down stairs, and doing long jumps.



His language is affected. I’ve never worked with a stroke patient—I do speech therapy with little kids--but I know there’s spontaneous improvement after an insult to the brain, and I see it every day. He will be going to TIRR for therapy—same place that Gabby Giffords went after she was shot. We’re lucky to be a few minutes from one of the best rehab centers in the country.



See how nicely I’ve written that paragraph. Just information. Nothing about the emotions. Too hard to probe that wound. I’m signing off for now. If you’ve read this, keep us in your prayers.  Thanks.

8 comments:

Andrea said... [Reply to comment]

Followed you from She Writes. So sorry about your son. I will be praying for him to have a swift (and full) recovery.

Blessings to you and your family.

Boo said... [Reply to comment]

Thelma, I am so sorry. What an enormous shock. Please take care of yourself. I hope so much that your son improves day by day xxx

Hiyacynthia said... [Reply to comment]

Oh no, Thelma! So sorry to hear this - you are in my thoughts and prayers for his full recovery.

thelmaz said... [Reply to comment]

Thank you for your kind thoughts. They help.

Debbie said... [Reply to comment]

Praying for you and your family. I'm so sorry to hear about your son. Keep us posted and look after yourself too.

LD Masterson said... [Reply to comment]

Praying for you, your son and all the family. Be strong.

Donna Sexton said... [Reply to comment]

So sorry to hear about your son. Keep your strength up! I'll be praying for a quick and full recovery.

Marianne (Mare) Baker Ball said... [Reply to comment]

So sorry to read about your son. I pray for peace for him and your family. My dad had a stroke and recovered fairly well. It certainly makes you turn to God for help and strength and patience. God bless you.

 

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