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!!!

Music:  This 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 Watch:  And 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 End:  Another 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