Friday, February 09, 2007

A Gary Update
(Or also-- "You Guys Rock!")


I just gotta start off this update by saying we have the absolute BEST friends in the world! I was inundated by phone calls and emails today from so many of our best friends and family members; between our friends at church, girlfriends, ball friens, and Gary's friends (including dear, sweet Bobby, who has been his best friend from kindergarten!), we have felt so very blessed to have so many special people in our lives!

And THEN, I come home from a very, very long day and decide to check my blog and I have almost 40 waiting for me here. And what sweet, sweet messages from all of you. You really have no idea how all of your concern, good thoughts, and prayers mean to both of us! To know that there are people out there who we've never met (and some great blog friends who we DO know otherwise, but who we stay in touch with via our blogs--Kelly!, Ryan!, Jeff!), it just boggles my mind and makes me SO very appreciative for this wonderful computer!! So, thank you SO much all my dear blog friends--you just absolutely made me night when I came home to all of these well wishes!

Now for a quickie update: Gary spent pretty much all day being poked and prodded and wheeled around to various tests. He had another MRI done, a couple of heart echoes and tests done, and ultrasound done, and a ton of bloodwork done. The only results we know so far are from the additional MRI; Gary's neurologist told him this morning that they found TWO mild strokes (one of them in almost the identical spot as the one he had three years ago). We don't have any results from the other tests back, but hopefully tomorrow!

Gary is very antsy and anxious and really wants to go home, but I'm trying to help him see that we need him to stay in as long as possible (even if he doesn't want to at all!) so they can figure out as much as they can! I think he will be in until at least Sunday!

He is still having problems putting words together. At times he's able to say several sentences in a row, and then at other times he gets stuck on a word or two. Very frustrating to him! (The bright side of all of that? Yep, I'm getting to finish his sentences for him and he can't get mad about it! hee hee!)

On my side of it all, I am just VERY tired and also feel guilty that I haven't been able to spend my entire days with him. I had to get the kids to school, pick them up from school, take Delaney to softball practice, and get ready for our big Scrapbook Event at church tomorrow. I had a good little cry over it all this afternoon--just felt overwhelmed at everything to do, but also sad that I wasn't there for Gary as much as I need to! And tomorrow I will be at the church all day for the scrapbook event. Just a little overwhelmed here! (But, of course, Gary reassured me that I was doing my part in "holding down the fort" so he's very understanding. But I really just wish I could sit on his bed tomorrow and hold his hand all day long!)

Keep thinking of us and I'll get on probably Sunday sometime and give another update!! Hopefully, Gary will be home by then and giving us all grief again!! LOL

We love and appreciate you all so much!

Hold your loved ones tight tonight!!

21 comments:

Susie Q said...

Oh Cheryl! I am off line (due to Internet problens) for 2 days and look waht happens. I am so sorry that this has happenned to ya'll but know how strong you are. IT was mild and these things do happen as you know all too well.
He will be fine...he has YOU right? I know he will be frustrated until things are back to normal. But his 4 girls will just hafta take good care of him.

I will keep all of you in my prayers and thoughts...you are a super family...be strong and know that God is with ya as are all your friends, family and blogging buddies. You are LOVED!

Love and hugs,
Sue

the not so "new" mom on the blog said...

You just hang in there and you will see - God has is all under control. He needs you to carry and on and be strong for the girls!!!! Gary is a strong man and he will get through this albeit very frustrating for him at the moment. You tell him from Mr & Mrs NMOTB that he is to stay put in hospital until he is ready to go home!!! Try and not beat yourself up for not being at his bedside all the time - He does understand!!!!!!! There is nothing wrong with having a little cry, hell no!!! If it was me I would probably have gone banana's!!!!! You guy's are very special to me and I will keep you in my prayers! It is terrible beings so far away from one another but at least we can still communicate via our blogs and email!!!!

I will check back later to see if there is any new developments! Look after yourself and take care! Big hugs and kisses to those 3 prescious little girls!!!!

Love and hugs
Gen

Anonymous said...

Cheryl,
This happened to my Mom 3x's before the doctor's finally did an out of the ordinary heart test where they found a hole (that closes when newborns take their first breath) in her heart where blood clots traveled straight to her brain. It was a transesophageal EKG....they went down her throat with a camera to view her heart 3-dimensional.
They resulted to this test because all her other stroke related testing was normal yet her CT Scan showed where her brain had been affected.
Perhaps mention to the docs about this life saving test.
She went thru the wringer with docs and tests and finally made her way to a renown hospital in Philadelphia-Thomas Jefferson Univ. where they did a procedure on her patching up the hole.

~grey said...

Thanks for the update Cheryl. I know just how hard this is to do. You are doing great!!!

I love the way you look at the bright side.... :) It is great to be able to finish each others sentences, that means you are very close. Which we all know and see.

Take care of yourself too!
Get those kids to give you lots of hugs too.

D

Anonymous said...

Cheryl, you are one amazing woman. I'm sure Gary knows and appreciates the fact that you are taking care of everything. This, I'm sure, is what gives him peace of mind. He knows you are there in spirit holding his hand every second of the day while in person you are holding down the fort for the family. He needs you to do exactly what you are doing. Hang in there. Many hugs and blessings to you and Gary and your family! I'm thinking of you and sending prayers for you. Take care my friend.

Lisa said...

I have to admit I was shocked to read your post over on Gary's site. I've just finished reading your thoughts and updates and I can't say enough about how sorry I am you're all dealing with this.

You've got a good man there Cheryl. You tell him I said he needs to stop this mucking around and scaring the crap out of his mates like this. How dare he make my heart plummet like that??!!

You tell him that, and then give him a hug from me and slap his butt for freaking me out!...you know this is all about ME right? lol

Much love and sunshine to you all. Hang in there sweets, it's natural to be overwhelmed under the circumstances. Just know we're all thinking of you and wanting him home as soon as possible.

Anonymous said...

Cheryl -- I don't know if you remember me or not -- we met through Emmaus (I think?) - I was looking up the scrapbook mania phone number and looked at their website, saw your blog and read about your last few days -- please know that you and your husband are in our prayers!

Lisa Elliott - Trinity UMC

~Telah said...

Thanks for the update Cheryl. I have been concerned. Will continue to keep you guys in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Will continue to pray for all of you Cheryl. Wish I was in Bama for sure now...would take your place at the Scrap event so you could be with dh.
Hugs hun and know that you are never far from my mind.

Cinderella said...

I am still thinking about all of you. Thanks for updating us Cheryl. I have been thinking about your family a lot these past few days. Just know that you are being the best mommy you can be right now. It's better for the girls that they lives don't change or alter too much or they will worry. You are doing the right thing. Just make sure you take care of yourself through all of this. If you need to cry, let it out. You need to.

Stay stong, we love you too!

Cinderella said...

Their* lives....Darn typos! =)

Mississippi Songbird said...

Keep the faith.We're praying hard here..
**hugs**

scrapperjen said...

HUGS and love and TONS of good thoughts coming your way! I really don't know what else to say, other than I'm thinking of you and keep us updated as you can!
HUGS!

Michelle said...

I can imagine how overwhelming it must feel to want to be in two places at once! Sorry you're not able to be at his side the whole time with all the other things going on! At least he's understanding about you holding down the fort! :) Continued prayers and hopefully he'll be home tomorrow!

Leah said...

Still thinking of you and hope things go ok.. my mom actually ended up in the hospital today for the very same thing. They are doing the procedure that jen talked about on her Monday.

As long as things are still looking positive, Telah and I are discussing coming to your class on Tuesday night if you're still having it.. I know it will probably depend on how things are on your end too.

Hope you can get some rest!

Jolene George said...

Oh, how scary Cheryl. I will put Gary and you in my prayers. For him to gain a full recovery and to be healthy, and for you to have peace and strength to handle all the things on your plate. You have lots of people who love you.

Lynilu said...

Cheryl, keeping life as normal as possible for the girls is one of the best things you can do for the whole family. Don't beat yourself up ... and even as I say that I know you can't help it. But know that you're on course, that we all understand and support you, and you are amazing. Prayers continue.

Unknown said...

love and God...there is strength in that duo!!! it'll will get you and Gary through this!!!
and crying is good for the soul...and the sign of a strong women!!!! I am sending prayers your way...I wish Gary a speedy recovery!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Still praying for you and your family. Thank you for updating us!

Linda said...

I'll keep on praying. It is good that they've done all those tests. Once they get everything done then perhaps they can prevent this from happening again.
Try to get a little rest yourself.

Aimeslee Winans said...

So glad he is doing better! Hang in there!