Hello blogging friends:
I am grateful to Quinn for typing this blog for me. My world as I have known it was rocked dramatically on Thursday evening when I suffered a stroke. Fortunately, it was a small one and my doctors are optimistic that I will have a full recovery. But for today, I am seeing my world very differently. I am home from the hospital and grateful that my speech has not been affected, nor my mind (any problems I had with my mind were pre-existing); my biggest problems are motor skills. I am not able to walk without assistance and my left hand functions much like a fish tied to a stick. We are in the process of assessing what I can and can’t do for myself.
When the physical therapist came to see me at the hospital, she brought a shopping list of available equipment for handicapped—wonderful things like hand rails for the shower and toilet, shower chairs, and toilet lifts. I nearly laughed out loud at the thought that I would ever use something like that. However, when I carefully considered how I was going to take a shower this morning, guess who ended up putting on his boots, trudging through the snow to the shed and retrieving a plastic patio chair. Some of the information they brought me to read indicated that two of the symptoms of stroke patients are uncontrollable laughter and crying. I laughed a little bit, but I cried a lot as I flailed around trying to shampoo my hair.
I have given some thought as to whether or not I should try to continue blogging. I think it might be therapeutic and also be helpful in chronicling my progress. One of the things I can’t do is type, but I will post whenever I can enlist someone to help me.
In the meantime when you hop out of bed tomorrow, be grateful that no one has to be there to assist you, that you can hold your own hair blower, flush the toilet, and put on your own pants. I had never noticed how sweet it was to be able to do those things.
18 comments:
O my dear sweet Aunt Judy. How shocked I was to read this post! It gives me comfort to know what a wonderful family you have and that Quinn was typing this post...I know he's with you.
You are in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. We send our love. You're an amazing woman and I sincerely wish that you will keep blogging. I agree it will be helpful and I know it will be a means of support to reach you across the miles.
With much love and sympathy,
Julie and family :)
Judy, you make me laugh and cry. You are so great to be able to laugh and joke about some of these really hard things. I feel such a longing to be there to help you and feel frantic to come up with some way to help you from two states away. For now the best we have to offer is our prayers and even little Charlie hasn't forgotten Grandma while praying.
I just read this to my mom who is out here in Utah. She was heartbroken and shocked. She, as well as I, send all our love. We will be thinking and praying for you. We hope to read more through your blog when you are able.
Paige
Judy, I would definitely wash your hair for you if I could!!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. You are such a dear person and have given so much service over the years. People should be clamoring to assist you in any way they can. You are a gift to all who know you! --Marti $
Aunt Judy! That was unexpected! I am glad you are home and are doing fairly well. Of course I wish you had no residual effects, but hopefully your recovery will be full and speedy! We love you and your family! You will be in our prayers!
Love, Lynette
No wonder I admire you so-so-so much! You've been in my thoughts and prayers since Gary told me. I'll be over next Friday to do whatever and of course, I'll call first. Meanwhile, prayers for you are Heaven-sent...
Judy, thank you so much for sharing your words of wisdom and your experiences. I think a symptom of womanhood in general is uncontrollable laughter and crying, so whoever wrote that pamphlet probably forgot to take that into consideration. We are praying that you will make a speedy recovery, and are SO GRATEFUL for you and the things that you teach us every day. Thanks so much for sharing, and I hope blogging can help you keep your spirits up as you chronicle the craziness of this new temporary adjustment!
Judy, I'm so sorry. I just talked to you on Thursday!! It must have happened after we got off the phone. Brian's Mom had 2 strokes back to back (a day apart) but she fought hard to get her mobility back. All I can tell you is fight hard and work hard even when you feel you can't keep going. That's what Brian's Mom (who is also named Judy) did. If you would like to talk to her about her stroke and her recovery, I'll give you her number. It might be good for you to talk to someone who has been there.
I will keep you in my prayers. I love you Judy. You are still like a mother to me. I will blog for you any time you ask.
Dear Judy,
Please don't stop blogging! We all need and want to hear what you have to say, and I think it would be therapeutic for you.
I have been able to type 100 wpm ever since high school typing class and would be glad to take my turn making your entries. I can also polish shoes! Call on us to be on your recovery "team"
Gary and Cynthia
I am so sorry Judy. I can't believe it and I am feeling such sorrow for you. I hope with physical therapy you will gain some more independence. I am so glad you have help from your husband and family. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and this time.
Judy- I certainly didn't expect this when I came to visit your blog this morning, what a shock! But I'm sure you were more shocked than we are. I think it truly shows your wonderful character that you are able to put some humor into an otherwise unfortunate experience... I've always admired your optimism, especially as I've read your upbeat and educational blog! Please know our family is praying for you. And we hope to see blog updates whenever possible!
Jason, April, Nathaniel, and Elin
Clarissa keeps praying for Grandma Judy and the doctor. She hopes you get better soon. We are happy that we live so close that Quinn could be able to come help you. We love you.
I am so sorry to hear about this. Our prayers are with you and we have faith that your life will become richer through this experience! Let us know if there is anything we could ever do to help!
Jeff Grubbs
We are so saddened to hear of the struggles you are facing, but want you to know you are very much in our thoughts and prayers! I strongly believe the Aschroft side is where I get my will and strength to fight! I know you'll be great.
We love you & pray for you and your family to make it through this tough time.
Julie & family (Hansen)
Judy I am so sorry to hear about this. My heart breaks for you, but I know that if anyone can pull through this it is you. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Perhaps I will just call you.
Perhaps I am the last to know, but still concerned about you and your progress. I hope you are able to let us know more detail about the big event some day. How does one know they are having a stroke? How does one prevent it from happening or from happening again?
You are certainly in our prayers Judy and we hope for a speedy recorvery that that there is someone there to take care of your every need. It is about time you were treated like a queen like you deserve. Not that Randy doesn't aleady treat you that way.
I wish we were closer and could visit. Perhaps we can all join in a video conference and let you tell your story.
I know the shock is greatest for you as you experienced the stroke. I couldn't have been more surprised when I heard. I wanted to pick up the phone and call, but I am sure you have plenty to deal with without my questions.
Please know of our love and concern and prayers for your speedy recovery. I have been told these experiences are custom designed by Heavenly Father for our spiritual growth. I have struggled with that concept, but it is a wonderful positive attidude conerning the things we experience in this life.
I am sure you have been asking the big, "Why" as we all do when something like this happens. I struggled with that question a long time after Helen died. I probably thought of at least 100 possibilities. I eventually found peace in the answer that some day I would understand, but for now I needed to get on with my life.
You are so optomistic and upbeat. I know it is a challenge and hard as only you can know. It seems hard to believe that anything would slow you down, but if you can't get your pants on, I am sure you are going a little slower than your usual.
Please keep blogging. It is always a joy to read your posts and to see pictures of the family. It is especially enjoyable to read your reflections. At our age, we have have a few things to reflect on and a few more pieces of the puzzle to put in place.
We love you Judy!
Bill
If these past 16 comments are not a sign and symbol of the love people have for you....what is Judy? I am sure this is only a minuscule group of those who are forever bonded with the Petersen family and who love them dearly.
I was heartbroken when I heard of your stroke. The GOOD news is -- you WILL make a FULL recovery!!!! The Lord is with you, He loves you, He knows of your challenges and sadness, anger and pain and HE will bless you!
We love you so much and our prayers are very much with you and Randy.
Love, Andrea, Kevin and kids
PS. KEEP BLOGGING!!!!
PSS. Let others help you....because you know what I mean. :)
Sister Peterson, I'm so sorry to hear that this happened to you, and I am so grateful that we still have you with us. My prayers are with you!
Rebecca Reid
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