Thankful

So Very Thankful

Valerie Cullers 27 Comments

This year, our family has so much to be thankful for. We have gotten a bonus year with my husband, Mike. Almost a year ago, Mike suffered a hemorrhagic stroke from the Plavix he was on. After nine days in the hospital, he could only walk about three steps side to side. holding onto a walker. After another three weeks in a rehab hospital, he came home. He was still very weak and had little, if any, feeling on his right side. Three months of physical, occupational and speech therapy gave him his life back. He continued to work on his rehabilitation, and by the end of May, he was driving. We were very thankful but knew at any moment our lives could be thrown back into the same routine.

On July 26, he suffered another hemorrhagic stroke caused by the aspirin he was on. Another brush with the Grim Reaper, but not so serious. He spent seven days in the hospital and two weeks in a rehab facility, followed by two months of physical therapy. This stroke left him with constant vertigo and nausea. We carried his little blue bags everywhere in case he got sick.

Fast forward to today. His vertigo is only intermittent and he walks about a mile and a half several times a week. He still has a great attitude and continues to work on his exercises for balance. His attitude is pretty good most of the time and when he gets the vertigo, he says, “It’s good for me, it builds character.”

We are so grateful for all of the prayers, support and love we have received from our family and friends both near and far. The Lord has been gracious to us and we do not take it for granted. We are grateful for our bonus year and any bonus days we get. If you have been part of our journey, a big THANK YOU to all. May the Lord Richly Bless You!

Mike at The Village in Meridian in September 2023.

Grateful

Valerie Cullers 21 Comments

“GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART” – song by Don Moen

A few weeks ago, I published a post entitled “Sustained.” I shared how the Lord and the prayers of so many people helped get me through a rough patch in my life. I would be remiss if I did not also thank the many people who contributed to my husband’s recovery and my own survival during such a difficult time.

Again, a special thank you to all who prayed for us in our time of need. Thank you to all who read the recent post and sent a compassionate note. It was interesting that when my husband was taken to the Boise hospital that it just “happened” that one of the finest neurologists in Idaho was on duty. He stayed on my husband’s case until he was certain that the bleeding had stopped in his brain. The nurses and aides were great, every one of them. One doctor in the SICU said, “How is it that your husband always gets the best nurses on every shift?” Another answer to prayer.

The therapists, doctors, nurses and aides at the Rehab hospital also get a great big, “Thank You.” They are the ones that worked several hours a day to get him ready to come home. By the time he came home, he could walk with a walker and do most things for himself. I will always be grateful to them.

And last but not least, our son and daughter-in-law who took me into their home for a month. They rearranged their schedules in order to take me to the hospital and pick me up each day. They were concerned with my every need and shielded me from loving and concerned people who would have overwhelmed me emotionally. How can I ever thank them?

At this time, my husband is doing well. He is much improved and can do most things except drive. Life goes on and I will return to blogging and writing, but I couldn’t move forward until I publicly thanked each and every one of you who helped us during this difficult time.