This Christmas holiday was not very typical. Sure, we put up the tree, exchanged cool gifts, the kids bought half of their big present a wii u. But early December and just before her 70th birthday, Scott's mom, Sue had a debilitating stroke that left her left side of her body paralized and us holding our breath to see what we could do to help her. Of course there was the myraid of prayers for direction and aid from our Father in Heaven. And of course peace and small miracles accompanied this time. This stroke changed so many things...
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| Grandma Sue & Sperry at Disneyland |
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| Grandma Sue and Jacob and Carter as Cub Scouts |
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| Carter and Grandma Sue at Chuck e Cheese |
Sue is a very strong woman, both in will and stature. She has fought through many mini strokes, many we were unaware of until the MRI scans after this stroke. But this stroke made it mandatory for Scott, myself and his brother Brian and wife Susie to serve her in a way that only we could. Power of Attorney's had to be signed and hospitals needed to be worked with and deciphering the code of Medicare and Medicaid needed to be learned. As in all times when you work with the Lord, not against him, efforts were magnified. Brian and Susie were able to discern which hospital would best suit her needs and give her the care needed. Scott and I worked on the insurance side learning what rehab and long term care facilities would be afforded. Jon and Amy helped to organize a family fast and the prayers of many friends and family gave hope and strength.
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| Sue at her new home, Stonehenge. |
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| We love spending time with her! Sperry and Sue, the original party animals... |
Sue continues to fight her way back to her new normal. Her speech has improved and clarity continues to be recovered. A few days ago, she suffered another stroke, but this one the damage was decentralized and we didn't see any major setbacks. Once again Brian and Susie were able to be by her side helping navigate through the hospital, Dr's, and medications. The day of Christmas Day, we all piled in the car and headed to Grammie Karen and Larry's home. We are so grateful for the service that they provided our family (especially when we all got sick with the flu, and the colds). The kids stayed there and Scott and I worked feverishly trying to box up Sue's apartment so she would not accrue costs on an empty apartment. It looks at this time that Sue will need the round the clock medical care, and for the time being, be unable to live alone without some level of care. Being in a wheel chair and unable to move much of her left side will leave a lot of learning, but the woman has always been determined to be as independent as possible. That determination and strength will be a gift in her healing.
Fortunately, her cute personality is shining through and her ability to track many details remains intact. She loves to visit and talk on the phone, she continues her love for interaction. As the baton passes from her care, to children helping to manage her care, it reminds me that life is sacred. That we are stronger than what we suppose. That we can do hard things and the Lord will provide the assurance of peace while we try to learn which way is best. This holiday was a very different holiday in many ways, but in one way it stayed the same... lessons in peace from God were taught in dramatic ways.
