     Barbie Perkins Cooper | Monday, May 13, 2002 - 07:18 pm 
Think tonight I could use a little encouragement. I know -- I am posting personal stuff here, and probably Vernon will feel the need to return, but what the heck!
Last week I received a phone call from the hospital. Kathy, this will bring a tear to your eye especially, because now, I am walking in your shoes.
My mother suffered a massive stroke last week. The left side of her face is droopy, she can utter words, but that is all. Her right side is paralyzed. She's receiving physical therapy, and seems to be responding.
Please friends, say a prayer, light a candle, or just know that I need to pull from your strength.
My family and I spent the weekend at the hospital in GA. Sorry to those of you who live in GA. I promised to let you know when I'd be in the area, but there wasn't time.
Just three years ago at this time, I walked in the same shoes -= only then, it was my father terminally ill with cancer.
And to think I thought life would be easier when my son was grown. If only I'd known...
Life is so short...from this day forward I will live every day as if there is not a tomorrow. |
| Gloria Marlow | Monday, May 13, 2002 - 07:45 pm
Barbie,
I will say a prayer for your mom and you right now.
I just recieved a call that my grandfather is being rushed to the hospital. He is throwing up blood. I have no idea what this means. Just last year at this time, he miraculously recovered from an anuerysm in his stomach and a lot of complications and other things. Now, I don't know. I would be there with him, but my sister is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow morning and i have her children. Plus tomorrow is my daughter's big fifth grade field trip to epcot in Orlando, but I don't know that we will be going now.
Things do change so quickly.
My prayers are with you.
Gloria |
| Sheila Schmidt | Monday, May 13, 2002 - 07:49 pm
Prayers and God's grace to you both and all included in your lives. I don't know what else to say.
Sheila |
| Nancy Mehl | Monday, May 13, 2002 - 08:06 pm
Barbie and Gloria,
You're both in my prayers.
Nancy |
| Vickie Adkins | Monday, May 13, 2002 - 08:53 pm
Barbie and Gloria,
Ditto the above messages. Please keep us informed. Wish we could do and say more.
Best,
Vickie
Psalms 27:14 |
| Barbie Perkins Cooper | Monday, May 13, 2002 - 08:55 pm
Gloria, Nancy, Sheila:
Thanks to you all. It helps, just knowing I've got friends. My best - est friend just moved to FL to be with her mom, after deciding to divorce her husband.
All of us have something going on in our lives. I suppose it is true that God never gives us more than we can handle.
Gloria:
The coughing up blood can be a variety of things. Possibly a stomach ulcer. My husband suffered them after having heart surgery -- the combination of drugs he was on created them. So, for now, place it in God's hands. That is what I've done. Sometimes it helps just to write it somewhere. Seems I'm writing lots of those thoughts now.
I hope your grandfather gets well soon. Thanks so much ladies, and friends for your caring prayers.
All the best! |
| laurelj | Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 02:51 am
Barbie and Gloria -
I'm sorry to hear about the illnesses your loved ones are suffering right now.
Life can be unbearably hard sometimes, because it spins itself so often out of our control.
To say a prayer is often all we can do.
LaurelJ |
| Kathy | Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 03:41 am
Barbie,
Yes, it definitely brought an instant tear to my eye. Hearing news like yours always hurts a place that is way down deep inside of me.
I found that when it involves the brain, it is difficult to get a straight answer out of the doctor. It took a long time for me to figure out that it wasn't their incompetence, just that the brain is such a mystery. But you still have to keep asking questions. The first few months are so important. It takes that long sometimes to find which functions come back on their own and which ones need PT. I had to learn patience which was not an easy thing for me. I like instant answers and quick solutions. Strokes don't come with either.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Take it one day at a time.
I always thought that God would never give me more than I could handle. But there were times when my mother's behavior got so bizarre that I would quietly pray.."I know that you won't give me more than I can handle God, BUT DON'T YOU THINK WE ARE GETTING A LITTLE CLOSE?"
Gloria, I hope your grandfather is okay. My prayers are with you too.
Like Gilda Radner always said, "It's always something."
Take care.
Kathy |
| Nancy Marie | Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 05:52 am
Will keep you both and your families in my prayers.
While it's true God never gives us more than we can handle, I can't help but thinking that He thinks I am stronger than I know I am. (GRIN)
blessings and hope to you, Kitty |
| Priscilla | Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 06:13 pm
To all that are hurting
I too will say a prayer to the God who heals and loves us.
My heart goes out to you all.
Shirley P |
| Barbie Perkins Cooper | Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 08:06 pm
Kathy:
When I read your book, I seem to remember an area where you discussed something about when a stroke happens medication needs to be administered within three hours or so. Can you enlighten me? My mother was at the nursing home when the stroke happened. If she had received medication earlier -- instead of three days later, perhaps her stroke would not be as severe as now.
So...let's just say...Barbie is on another mission -- or perhaps another soapbox.
Please e-mail me privately so we can discuss.
Sorry, C.E. for 'broadcasting' personal stuff again.
Suppose Vernon will return -- let us hope not!
Thanks to all -- if I'm a bit quiet it is because I am compiling a dissertation to file with the GA bureaus for elderly care; nursing home negligence -- and any other source I can alarm! It is time for the two B's in my name to kick in -- again! |
| Barbie Perkins Cooper | Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 11:41 am
Kathy:
If you get an e-mail from me, I really did send it!
Thanks! I need your expertise.
I suppose you could say -- I am on a mission, suggested frm God. Someday people will learn not to cross my path because my soap box awaits!
To quote C.E. "Hehehehehehehehehehehehehe!" |
| Kathy | Saturday, May 18, 2002 - 01:37 pm
Barbie,
Thanks for the heads-up. I am getting quite a few virus's lately. However, now that I have my wonderful Norton Antivirus 2002, I don't worry so much. Thank you CE!!
Good luck on your mission Barbie. I hope I can help you. I am not an expert, but I sure have muddled through a lot in the last few years.
Kathy |
| Gloria Marlow | Monday, May 20, 2002 - 07:44 pm
My granddad is home. He had a tear in his esophagus and because of the huge amounts of blood thinner that he was on, the bleeding was worse than normal. It is so sad to watch someone love go through so many moments that are life threatening when just a few years ago, he was fine. I worry about my grandma, because all of his sicknesses are really getting to her mentally and physically. But, hopefully, he will be okay for a while and they can relax and enjoy the good days.
Thank you all for your prayers. Barbie, I am sorry about your mom and continue to think of both of you. Please forgive me for barging in on your post with my own.
gloria |
| Nancy Marie | Tuesday, May 21, 2002 - 03:06 pm
Glad to hear his is home, will say a prayer for your Grandma, also.
smiles and blessings, Kitty |
| Barbie Perkins Cooper | Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 04:55 pm
Gloria:
Correction -- this is not my post -- it is OUR post for personal stuff. I hope your grandfather continues to get better. Please tell him to be extremely careful with esophageal problems. If he has difficulty swallowing, coughing, sore throat, heartburn, or other bleeds, make him go back to the doctor.
If only I'd known all of this before my dad got so ill. Esophageal conditions can lead to serious problems if left undiagnosed.
I will continue praying for him.
BTW -- my mother has been moved to a new nursing home. I filed a complaint against the other, because I felt totally helpless and needed to do something. Fortunately, my sister came thru this time, getting her moved. I know it's only a matter of time before she will die, so time is precious now.
I will not elaborate more about my history with my mother. It wasn't a good one!
Regardless, there comes a time in life when we must set the past free, and that is what I am doing.
I will keep the candle burning brightly for your grandfather. |
