Friday, May 3, 2013

Week 48... Speaking of That "Silver Lining"

Greetings:

So, this week, I'm going to try and convey a little bit of what I touched on last week, in that when "Bad things happen, some Good can come from it."  That there, sometimes, is a "Silver Lining."  Our family recently had a "Bad Thing" happen and there is/was a Silver Lining.  Stay with me...

The Bad...

On April 2nd, Donna's 73 year old Mom, Claudia, suffered a Major Stroke.  Donna's Sister, Tracy, is the Principle of an Alternative School and Claudia works there in the office.  She had the Stroke while there at the School on that day.

Donna's Mom, Claudia

 The Good...

(1) That she was there at the School, and not at home, where she lives alone, was obviously, a good thing.  (2) The "wheels" were immediately set in motion by those that witnessed (see below) the Stroke.  (3) An ambulance was called for and she was transported to the hospital a short time later.  (4) She was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Houston Medical Center, a Top Flight Hospital, recognized around the Country.  (5) There is a 3 to 4 hour window for Stroke Victims to receive what is called a TPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) Shot that is imperative in their recovery process.  She received this shot inside of that window.  Her Stroke was identified as an Ischemic Stroke, i.e., a Blood Clot within the brain, and the TPA quickly helps dissolve the Clot. 

The See Below...

On this particular day, Claudia was in a classroom with some students.  As she started slurring her words and her face was changing color, the Stroke occurred.  It was the students in this classroom that (1) Hit the Panic Button.  It was the students that (2) Ran to the Office to make them aware of the situation.  It was the students that (3) Used their cell phone and called 9-1-1.  A blessing indeed as these students were poised to the task at hand, getting their "Mrs. Freeland" the care she so quickly needed.

The "Hero" Students from the School...

Remembering...

In the first several days after arriving at the hospital, Claudia struggled with her memory.  I remember telling someone she had lost her memory and was quickly corrected that her memory had only been misplaced, if you will.  The first time I visited her, I asked her, "What is my name?"  As she struggled to get the words out of her mouth, I said, "Slu."  She then said, "Slu, that's right."  A few minutes later, she could not remember my name.  Donna and I both made "name cards" to hold up for her to read.  It helped.  But as of a few days ago, it is something that she is still struggling with, but it will come with time.

The Good, Part 2...

The care, given by the Doctors and Staff at the hospital, has been, nothing short of spectacular.  The choice of hospital has gone a long way toward helping Claudia get back on track to where she needs to be.  And then...  Rehab.  There are many choices, but right there at the top of the list is TIRR Memorial Hermann.  One of, if not the, top rehab centers in the Nation.  Claudia was accepted into their program (Good things just keep happening:  Prayers!!!).  And they quickly had Claudia up, out of bed, and working on getting her back to normal.  They worked with her on simple tasks, as well as, workouts at the gym, which she said she loved, but was quick to point out that it was really hard work.  But, all of her hard work is paying off.  Go ahead...  See below (again), check out the "Silver Lining."

The "Silver Lining"
or, wait a minute...  excuse me, what just happened???

OK so, this is where I was going to tell you that, in addition to all the great and fantastic things going on in Claudia's recovery and rehab stint at TIRR, there was also a kind of "flying under the radar" Silver Lining for Donna and I too.  You know, the "when bad things happen, there is often times a Silver Lining."  Well, once Claudia was accepted into the TIRR Program, we were told that she would be there for approximately two months, if not longer.  The plan was to have a family representative there at the center each day of the week to visit with her, to keep her invested, if you will, with family.  To help rebuild her memory, among other things.  Several members of the family got assigned a day of the week to spend time with her.  Donna chose Friday nights.  So, our thinking was:  We'll go visit her Mom, down in the Medical Center, and after leaving, we'll have Friday Night Dates, in the Heart of Houston, no less.  We were excited.  And then, you ready???  Just barely two Friday's into our new routine...  Boooooooooya!!!  On Tuesday of this week, TIRR all up and decides that Claudia is doing so well, that they are sending her home, and she would be able to complete her rehab on an "Out-Patient" basis.  Say what???  Come again!!!  Exactly 28 Days after her Stroke, she went home from the hospital.  Now, that is a Silver Lining...  "And just like that" as Forrest Gump would say, our Friday Night Dates in Houston were in our "rear view mirror."  That Claudia was home from the hospital so quickly was very clearly a miracle.  Absolutely, Prayers had been answered.  And yes, I suppose we could still drive into Houston on Friday nights.  But...  is it the same???  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.  OK:  Plan B!!!  How about Cha Cha Cha...

Takin' it "To the House"

My Recent Photos

A Pic of Donna's Dining Table Flowers from this Week...
 
A Macro Shot...

Not my Photo, but I just had to throw this one in...  Ha!!!

Last one...  I couldn't resist, seriously!!!


MusicThis week, a little different direction for my musical selection.  I love listening to Smooth Jazz and I would love for you to have a listen to one of my favorite bands in the Jazz world.  That would be Down to the Bone and the tune is Brooklyn Heights...  (source) Kick back and check it out.  I think you'll like it. 

Market WatchAnd the "Rich get Richer."  Another great week for the Dow, as it closed yesterday at over 14,825.  Meanwhile, Facebook surged upward as well, closing yesterday at 28.97

The EndAnother good week in the books.  Thank You for stopping by.  As usual, it is much appreciated.  I hope to see you back next week.  Til then...

Be safe, be smart, and always Smile...  It's "Happy Friday"

adios...  vaya con dios

23 comments:

  1. Some would question why this stroke happened in the first place - to play the devil's advocate... :) The trouble is, we should expect bad - it is just as much a pat of life as good. And these silver linings are freed to shine through like lightning bolts when we are ready and willing to accept them as inevitable and respond with character. I'm so glad Claudia got the treatment she needed - I pray that her recovery will be complete!

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    1. Thanks Melody... I appreciate so much you stopping by and checking in.

      Have a great weekend, Slu

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  2. Awesome blog! It has truly been a miracle and a testimony of prayers being answered that things played out the way they did. This was God from beginning to end, and it was actually wonderful to spend all the extra time with Grandmom. She is one of the best people God ever had the Grace to give to creation. Good stuff Steve, love u man.

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    1. Dude... Awesome comment! I agree and I bet your Grand-Mom absolutely enjoyed spending the extra time with you as well. Love u back.

      Thanks for stopping by, Slu

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  3. Great story, Slu! So glad Claudia is doing so well. Tell her to keep up the good work! Many blessings were in place to allow such a positive outcome.

    Bake those kids some cupcakes!

    Smiling,

    Robin

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    1. Hey Robin... What a nice surprise. Thanks so much for stopping by and for the kind words. And yes, those kids deserve a treat!!!

      Have a great day, Slu

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  4. Wow, although I'm so sorry to hear about the stroke, how wonderfully lucky that it happened when she was surrounded by such an amazing group of her students and received the treatment she needed in time. And yay that she's back home and double yay to date nights!
    Love the photo of the flowers by the way. And tee hee to the stool sample!

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    1. Hey Kristi... Thanks for the thoughts & kind words. Thanks for stopping by. And... you just gotta love that stool sample!!! Ha

      Have a great weekend, Slu

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  5. I am so happy to hear that Donna's mother is recovering so rapidly! It really was fortunate that the stroke happened at school where she was able to get the help she needed--immediately. Sadly, my brother was only 54 when he suffered a massive stroke. It happened in the middle of the night and his wife was right beside him, but slept through it all. It was too late for the TPA once she figured out what was wrong with him. Now he is not the same person--half the memory is gone and he can't use his right arm. He once had the IQ rating of a genius. Now he can only do 3rd grade level math and has limited reading abilities. It is SO important that everyone learn the early symptoms of a stoke in order to prevent some of these devastating effects.

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    1. Double M (#2)... I just read aloud your comment to Donna. I can't find the words to convey how sad it makes us both feel to hear that story. My heart sincerely goes out to your brother and his family.

      We have been Blessed throughout this ordeal and, yes, you are right, it is important to learn... I have certainly learned a great deal since it happened.

      Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great weekend, Slu

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  6. Sure glad that she was surrounded by students who knew exactly what needed to be done! kudos to the students.
    And here's wishing Claudia a very speedy recovery!!

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    1. Thanks Nina, and yes, the situation could not have been any better. She, and we, is/are Blessed.

      Thanks so much for stopping by, Slu

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  7. Sorry to hear about Donna's mum suffering a stroke Slu. Please send my warm wishes for a full recovery to her. Hang on a minute, I wrote this bit before I read the ending. It seems like she has almost made a full recovery apart from a few hurdles to get over. Wow, a silver lining for true mate. Everyone seems to have been at the exact right place at the exact right time. How many people does that happen to? My prayers are with her. Keep us updated.

    I must not forget to mention those students. We always get to hear about the bad things that youths do these days but they did good and everyone should know about it. You should try to get a piece in the local paper or something, as they really helped towards saving her life. Donna should organise a nice fun day with that class. Take them bowling, buy a meal, catch a film etc...

    Ah, I really loved your 'stool sample', I almost choked on my gin and ice when I first scrolled down, but I get it now, ha ha ha ha.

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    1. Thanks RPD for the kind words & well wishes. Although she has a ways to go, it is incredible how far she has come in this short time. A Blessing, to be sure.

      Donna's sister, Tracy, is with those Students everyday at school and they know how much we appreciated what they did. If all goes well, we are going to try and have Claudia at the Graduation Ceremony later this month to hand some of them their Diploma. How cool would that be???

      The "stool" pic... Too funny!!!

      Thanks so much for stopping by & have a great day, Slu

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    2. RPD... I have been corrected by Donna: Not to hand out Diploma's, but to hand out an Award to them, if you will, for their good deed.

      Still, it would be pretty cool for her to do that.

      Take care, Slu

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  8. So glad Donna's mother is on the mend. A salute to the quick thinking students. There are good kids out there, and these kids appear to really care for her. How great. Have a good week. Cuz

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    1. Thanks Cuz... She's doing great (won't stop talking!!! Ha).

      The Students absolutely deserve a Salute, and yes, you are right.

      Thanks for stopping by... cuz

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  9. Hi Slu.
    Silver linings? I may have to trump that word with miracles! I cried reading all that happened to your mother in law. Then I cried reading about all the blessing that happened to her the day of the stroke. You're love for Dnnna shows through every time you write. Definitely keep up those Friday night dates.

    A serious "Cheers" to all of those heroes that helped Donna's mom from the beginning and all the way to her recovery. Praying for all of you.
    -MM

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    1. Double M... You gotta stop crying!!! Ha...

      Blessings all around, no doubt about it. Much to be thankful for, she is doing great. And the "Cheers" are well deserved!!!

      Thanks for stopping by, Slu

      ps: next week, I hope to get a smile out of you.

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    2. Aw, they were happy tears, for sure. I wanted to let you know that I handed off a "Trophy" to you. You can accept it whenever, if ever you''d like. It's on my latest post. Think of it as a free ticket to rant! Who doesn't love that every once in a while? SMILES, man!

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    3. Wow!!! And as usual... You are just too sweet. Thanks!!!

      SMILES: ditto... Slu

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  10. So sorry to hear about Donna's stroke but I'm glad she's doing better. Good thing it happened when she was surrounded by people who could help.

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    1. Thanks... She is doing so much better. And yes, if it was going to happen, then absolutely.

      Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great week, Slu

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