Thursday, February 08, 2007

On my way to the hospital . . .

Since you guys and gals are all so special to me, I wanted to let you know what was going on and to ask you to keep us in your prayers tonight if you would.

Gary has been admitted to the hospital for an MRI and some other testings. I'm not sure how long he will be in, but I will definitely give you all updates. And for those of you who are "regulars" on both mine and Gary's blogs, this is especially aimed at you since I know all of you love Gary and would want to know about this.

A little background... two years ago, while I was pregnant with Sydney, Gary had a stroke. He is only 40 now, so was just 38 at the time. After all sorts of testing they found that he was completely normal and healthy and it was just a "fluke" (some 'junk' had traveled from his bloodstream to his brain and made him have a mild stroke). He suffered from some repurcussions from that for a while, but has been pretty healthy for at least a year and a half.

Well, this morning he went to the doctor and they immediately sent him to have an MRI done--after he was having trouble speaking yesterday (he could think of what he wanted to say, but couldn't make his mouth say the words). So, there's obviously something going on with his brain connections somehow.

Anyway, the MRI came back looking "weird" (good Scientific term, huh? lol), so he will be in the hospital for various tests trying to figure out what's up (testing for stroke, MS, other stuff like that).

Gary will probably be upset that I posted this--he hates to be a bother to anyone--but so many of you are like an extended family to me, that I thought it was important to post it.

We are VERY positive people, so we're sure that everything is going to turn out just fine. Right now Gary is more concerned about missing Softball Registration on Saturday more than anything--lol!!--but of course, we have just got to get him better.

Thanks for the prayers and good thoughts. I'll update later!!

(And lookie here--Blogger MADE me switch to Beta. Maybe I'll like it now that they've forced me to do it. Gary will be glad! ha!)

Love ya! Later!

EDITED to UPDATE: We just returned from the hospital after being with Gary for about 5 hours in the emergency room. They did an MRI, some EKGs, etc., and finally got him into his room around 9:30 pm. They found out that he indeed DID have a mild stroke. The neurologist quickly found it on the MRI and, because of that, they quickly put him or Plaxil (which is a blood thinner) and aspirin. He was very tired and ready for some sleep--but mostly frustrated! He is still having a hard time putting his thoughts into words. He will start a sentence, say a few words, then have to strain a bit to say the next word. And his memory is a tad bit screwed up. But, the good news is that it was a mild stroke and not MS or something even worse (which I think really scared him when they said MS as a possibility). So, my feeling is that he will probably just be in for a day or two to monitor him and see if the medicine takes his symptoms away. Then it's back to what he was supposed to be doing after he suffered his first stroke almost 3 years ago (I said 2 on my post earlier,but my time was confused!)--taking aspirin everyday, going to regular neurological check-ups and so forth. After his stroke the last time, he lost the ability to use the right side of his body normally for about 6 months (he couldn't hardly play the guitar or throw the softball with Delaney) and that just about killed him. I could tell tonight that he's worried again about not being back to "normal" again for awhile. I just laughed and told him that I finish all of his sentences for him anyway; I'll do that for the rest of his life if he needs me to!
He's doing better than I thought he'd be doing, but he will still have some challenges. But God's taking care of him, and he's loved by a whole lot of people!
(The worst part was leaving him at the hospital alone, and seeing Delaney--my most sensitive child--tear up as we were leaving. Not easy!)
Thanks for the sweet comments already. I really appreciate all of you!!!
Hope all of you have wonderful Fridays and weekends wherever you may be!

34 comments:

Cinderella said...

Gawd, I am sorry Cheryl. I will pray for him!! Now I feel bad for giving him such a hard time about the Cowgirls!! I do love the guy!! Ohhh, Poop!!

Please tell him I said Hello, and to get better and that I am praying for him!!

You are the best Cheryl! Hang in there!! xoxoxoxox

Unknown said...

You totally have my prayers and thoughts you guys. You are a strong couple with a closely bonded family so I'm sure you'll see this through together.
Get better soon Gary! We all love you :)

She-Ra said...

Uck! Glad I "stopped by" the blog tonight so I could start praying right away.

Take care!

~Telah said...

Chills all over right now! Cheryl, please know that Gary and your whole family are in my prayers right now! Thanks for sharing with us...we love you!

Anonymous said...

Prayers for you guys. I believe like you do, and we both know the power of prayer is an awesome thing! Keep us updated when you can :) Hugs gf!!!

Leah said...

You guys will be in my prayers. These things can be so scary, but I'm so glad to hear yall are thinking positive. We're all thinking about you! Tell that hubby to get well soon!

Greta Adams said...

your family is in my prayers...please keep us updated....

Barb said...

I'm sorry to hear this, Cheryl. I'll keep him in my prayers, too. I love your positive attitude but I know this has got to be a little scary.

Unknown said...

oh cheryl, my family's prayers and good thoughts are with you and your family tonight and over the next few weeks!!!
love, strength and God will see you through this!!
take it easy and take care!!!
((((hugs))))

Redhead Editor said...

I love that you already finish his sentences so nothing will change there. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Now don't forget to take care of yourself, too.

Phats said...

Cheryl you, gary your whole family in my prayers! I know I am far away but if there is anything I can do let me know!

Kayla said...

Hi Cheryl,
Got the message over on Gary's blog.
I immediately said a prayer for him, and for your whole family, and will continue to pray for full healing.
Tell him I said hello!

Anonymous said...

OMG Cheryl! I will keep him in my prayers for a very prompt recovery! It's a good thing it was only a mild stroke, but it has got to be scrary nonetheless. I will make sure to add him also to our prayer list at church. I'm so sorry I didn't get a chance to check your blog until late (or should I say early the next day?) but please know I will be thinking of you guys! Take care and rest...

Jeff said...

You guys will definitely be in my prayers. I'll check back often looking for more news. Take care!

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness! Not that he had the stroke, but that they were able to treat the situation so quickly. Will continue to pray for you guys! Love ya!

Adrienne said...

Let me know if I can do anything. Keeping you guys in my prayers!

Brown English Muffin said...

OMG...it totally confuses me when I read about the pain of another and my eyes tear up. I don't expect myself to be heartless but I don't expect to cry for someone I don't know.

You have to know my prayers are with you, be strong like I know you can be and have been.

Traci said...

I'm so impressed with how you're dealing with this. You're a strong woman. I really appreciate your positive attitude. Our family will definitely be praying for you and yours. {HUGS}

Anonymous said...

praying for a speedy recovery...

~grey said...

Oh Cheryl!! (((Hugs)))
Gary is such a lucky man to have you there for him!
I will keep him (and you and the family) in my prayers and thoughts.

You are all so lucky and blessed to have such a strong family and relationship!

Stay strong! We are here for you.
Deb

aimee said...

You all are definitely in my prayers. Thank God that caught it quickly. Thanks for letting us know...

Linda said...

I haven't been reading your blog very long Cheryl, but it is long enough to know how sweet and special you are. I'm so sorry about Gary. I will certainly be praying for him and for all of you. I'm glad it wasn't any of the things you were fearful of. I pray he will recover very quickly.
Holding you in our prayers.

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

Oh Cheryl! I am praying for you guy's and specially for Gary! And just last night I was thinking if he was sick (with flu or something) because he has not blogged for awhile and each time I come over to your blog, I forget to ask you!!!!(and I didn't even rag him about not blogging).

You are a very special and a tight-knit family and will get through this just fine!

When you see him again, tell him the we are all thinking of him and praying for a full recovery!

Give all the girls a hug and a special big one to D!!!!

Take Care and Please Please keep us informed as to his progress!

Lynilu said...

Cheryl, add me to the list of prayers for Gary's recovery and your whole family's peace of mind. I'm glad you are such a positive person. I've worked on becoming consistently positive and it works miracles, doesn't it? Hugs to all of you.

Mz.Elle said...

Oh wow!
I have similar problems(it runs in my family) and know how scary this is.
I'll be thinking of you all!

Renee said...

Cheryl, sorry I'm so late in reading about this. I'll keep you and Gary in my thoughts and prayers.

Greta Adams said...

praying for you and your family...glad gary is doing ok

Anonymous said...

Hoping and praying for a speedy recovery and strength from above.

Michelle said...

I'll be keeping Gary in my prayers! I can't imagine what you both are going through; I hope they can find some answers for him!

Jo said...

Omigosh, Oh, I hope you guys are okay. Did they say what might be causing this in such a young man? We're all praying for you both. Stay strong.

Josie

Anonymous said...

Cheryl, I just want you to know that you and your whole family are in our prayers! I am very impressed with how you are handling everything! You rock! You are always so positive....that is one of the reasons I love to read your blog! Take care and we will continue to pray. Love you....and remember....we aren't that far from you if you all need anything! Get some rest!

Mississippi Songbird said...

I'm praying for you now.. I know that God is with you all. May God heal him quickly and take care of him and you and your family..


Love and hugs in Christ,
Stephanie

Jenn said...

Cheryl,
OMG! I have missed you and wanted to check in on you. Just saw what has been going on and I just said a prayer for your family. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. I know that it's hard just not knowing. I thought I had MS just before Christmas and they ruled it out as stress. I know what you must be going through but just wanted to tell you that you have so many people praying for your family. God bless you all!

Aimeslee Winans said...

Sweetie, I'm just now reading this! I will be praying for you all! Hugs and Lotsa Love!