Married 26.5 years, daughter out of college and married, son almost done with college, one cute pup, a beautiful home, wife with an MBA and great job, hubby working, teaching, and finished with doctoral classes and ready to submit his proposal for his dissertation, a step closer to his doctoral degree…
Life was just about perfect. So close…so much to look forward to. He would be a college professor, write books, take the family on vacations, and play on the floor with future grandchildren.
Their marriage had survived tough years, lean years, happy years, stressful years, the year they almost split. Trips to Disney World, spring breaks to Ft. Myers Beach, and tent camping in bear country.
The Blizzard of 2014 was predicted, and would start early the next morning. She stocked up on groceries to make goodies and enjoy being snowed in. He filled in for a friend doing PA at the girls’ county basketball tourney, and saw lots of old friends from his former PA days. He had a headache all day, came home for a nap between games, took his contacts out and popped some Advil. They met friends at Buffalo Wild Wings after the championship game for a “last meal” before the big snow started. They watched the radar, since the friends’ teen daughters were out with friends.
Then it happened. Richard the Server asked him if he’d like more to drink. He didn’t answer. She elbowed him. He turned to look at her, and his left eye and mouth were severely sagging. She knew. The other couple knew. But she was in denial. It was surely his blood sugar. He hadn’t eaten all day, right? The friends called 911, other friends in the restaurant came to help. More friends came to the emergency room. The kids and their friends came. Richard the Server came.
Doctors poked, prodded, checked, scanned, called specialists. The neurologist from Lutheran Hospital was on the ipad at the end of the bed watching and giving direction. He came back! His left side recovered! He wasn’t confused, and was making jokes with the ER team. The helicopter crew arrived. The family decided to send him with them just in case. The snow was coming any moment. The neurologist asked the wife if he should be given TPA, the clot-busting drug, but his blood pressure was too high. Give him the TPA and he could bleed to death. Don’t give it to him, and the clot will cause more brain damage. “What would you do if it was your spouse, doctor?” “I’d wait until the blood pressure came down.” Done. They waited, friends came to the room, held hands, and prayed over him. They sent him with the helicopter crew.
He took off for the twenty-minute flight to the southwest side of Ft. Wayne. She and the kids quickly packed for a couple days away, called her parents, his sister and brother, made arrangements for the granddog.
The hospital called her as she and her family were racing to beat the blizzard to Ft. Wayne. “He’s had a major ischemic stroke while in the air. We want you to be prepared when you get here.”
They arrived early that Sunday morning, before the snow came. He was delirious, confused, scared, trying to get out of his bed, yet unable to use hisright side or talk. They watched, helpless, as he struggled…and as it snowed and snowed.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
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I’m starting this blog at the behest of one of my best friends, Jennifer Hite. She encouraged me to do this as a way of journaling our experiences over the past two years, and potentially helping others as they go through similar situations. I’ve learned a lot, and I’m willing to help others.
Follow me. I’ll tell you more in future posts.
~ Sherri
Rush Strokes 