Please pray for my mom, she may have a "pre-mini stroke". She has symptoms but not all and they are still running tests. She knew something was wrong but kept denying it, we know she is scared and she is very stubborn, it took awhile to get her to the hospital. Thank God my nurse SIL was there to help persuade her. She is doing much better, we are waiting for her ultrasound results and her cat scan came back okay, thank the Lord. Her blood pressure was 259/107 when we got there! Now she is glad she went but I know she is worried, her heartrate was high, too. She has a very good doc at the hosptial, he scheduled her tests right away in hoping the results would get back a.s.a.p. so she could go home for Easter.
I know there are many Christian women on this board and I would so appreciate your prayers. I am trying to keep stable through prayer as I am the sensitive one of my siblings, I put my trust in Jesus. I really need to feel His presence with us and with Mom at this time, I know He is there, though. I wonder if there is correlation of this since my SIL said she talked to mom last night around 6 and knew something was wrong then, that last night was Holy Thursday and today being Good Friday, my sister mentioned the same.
I do daily readings and today's Psalm was fitting:
Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.
Take courage and be stouthearted,
all you who hope in the LORD.
Thanks for your prayers! xo
So sorry to hear that kiddo, you and your mom and family are in my prayers! Good thing she got to the hospital, that is very high blood pressure and the sooner the better to be under care.
Many hugs,
Squirrelly
Zamode I am so sorry to hear this. Please know that your mom will be in my thoughts. It's good that you guys managed to get her to go to the hospital. Keep us posted.
C-P
Zamode best wishes to you and your family. I'm so sorry to hear this. You will all be in my thoughts. I hope you have the most peaceful day you can have.
Thank you all so much for your thoughts and especially prayers, it means so very much to me! She has to have an MRI, both of her carotid arteries are clogged and it's not definite but more than likely she will need surgery. I know she will be alright but my family is very close and we are used to mom being the support and backbone, always there and helpful anytime and it's so hard to see her like this. I am the sensitive one and the youngest of us so I am having a little trouble here and there keeping strong. I stay positive and upbeat for mom and even though I know it is a blessing that we did catch it in time and that she could be worse, it's tough. I am worried that she will become a little depressed if she cannot be as independant as she was and that being in the hospital too long will bring her down. Please pray for her well being mentally and emotionally and also spiritually--I want her to depend upon and trust in God very much at this time.
You guys are the best! {{hugs}}
Yes kiddo, we have you and your family and your mother in your prayers still!
Hugs Squirrelly
Dear Loard,
Please stand with our friend during her time of need. Walk beside her and guild her to be strong for her mother who is in need of your touch right now. Reach your mighty hand down and touch our friends mother so that she will recover and grow strong. We ask this Jesus' name,
Amen.
Thank you all again for your prayers, thoughts and kindness, it means alot to me. I have friends that didn't even respond like you all have, very sad and that angers me but that's another situation.
Her MRA shows an "old stroke"! I've never heard of this before and we never ever saw any signs. She does have a small clot in her brain but one of the doctors said it's not big enough to worry about but with that and two clogged carotids, I wonder if a stronger blood thinner is going to be enough. I have to call the doctor tomorrow. If there is no surgery then she may be out in two days or so, nothing definite but she is having a speech therapist come in tomorrow.
I keep praying for her well being and I certainly will do so but I also have to remember to be grateful that it wasn't worse, especially learning that she already had one no one knew about!
Thank you all again for your prayers, thoughts and kindness, it means alot to me. I have friends that didn't even respond like you all have, very sad and that angers me but that's another situation.
Her MRA shows an "old stroke"! I've never heard of this before and we never ever saw any signs. She does have a small clot in her brain but one of the doctors said it's not big enough to worry about but with that and two clogged carotids, I wonder if a stronger blood thinner is going to be enough. I have to call the doctor tomorrow. If there is no surgery then she may be out in two days or so, nothing definite but she is having a speech therapist come in tomorrow.
I keep praying for her well being and I certainly will do so but I also have to remember to be grateful that it wasn't worse, especially learning that she already had one no one knew about!
Hi kiddo,
This might be different in your mother's case, but when my mother had a MRI and it showed evidence of an old stroke, we were told that what they meant by old, was a stroke that occured any time within the last 6 weeks. Not sure if this is what they meant or not. In my mother's case, there was no paralysis or drooping of one side of the face. Mom had a droopy eye which I thought looked more pronounced. A small stroke can occur without a lot of side effects. With Mom, she had a bit of a weak spell and the one thing she complained about was coldness in one hand and one hand felt noticeably cooler. I noticed minor memory impairment because I saw her and talked to her every day, others did not note the minor changes. Mom's blood pressure did go very high suddenly around that time. A couple of months later there was a marked change in her kidney function when tests were performed . Eventually, going over her doctor's head and getting a full geriatric assessment we were able to determine that the mini stroke had caused damage to her kidneys, likely caused the increase in droop in her one eye and had a minor effect on her memory.
Mini strokes don't have the same drastic side effects but it is good to be aware and note any minor changes in a person's appearance or physical or mental status or behaviour. Often there is a pattern of a series of small mini strokes.
Just thought I would mention that.
Many hugs to all of your family and you are all in my prayers.
Squirrelly Cakes
Thank you for sharing that Squirrelly. They had her on a 24 hour urine test today but showed no kidney malfunction, which was my concern. My nurse SIL said that the clots can't be dated but they can tell if they were fairly recent or at least recent enough to leave a big enough "mark" when the MRA was read. She had said she felt funny twice after eating and taking some herbs that she had been using to help with food allergies, which she won't be taking anymore. Said her face felt tingly. She, too had some memory issues but mostly the day we brought her to the hospital which was Good Friday.
She seems fine now as far as that goes and doesn't need physical therapy but she will need speech therapy. It's hard to see her like that, you expect your mom to be everything and always there for *you* and strong and it's tough to see her with problems that she cannot control. I know the slight sag on her face and her speech is bothering her but some people have told us, once she stays on her meds and some time goes by, with therapy, she'll be fine and should recover fine. We'll see, we certainly hope so. She doesn't need surgery but will be on four medications and will need outpatience speech therapy. We are very, very lucky that it wasn't worse. It's so easy to ask God for help and favors yet we have to thank Him when we are given blessings as well. It gives you a good shake and maybe that it's time to change things overall.
THANK YOU to everyone for your thoughts and prayers! It means so much to me, I am humbled! Please continue to pray for her as she begins her recovery.
Well that is good that her kidney's were not affected kiddo. With my Mom, there was very little effect that folks could recognize which shows just how mild some strokes can be and yet still have effects elsewhere. But getting your mother help quick was very important for her recovery process!
Yes, seeing your mother like that is very hard! She is lucky to have a supportive family and she sounds like a person that really appreciates that too!
We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayer!
Many hugs,
Squirrelly Cakes
Thanks Squirrelly! She went home today, she isn't talking much for obvious reasons, she is very self-conscious about her face and speech. Hopefully the therapist will be there tomorrow, she was lucky enough to have someone come to their house. 
I think she is reeling from everything. I know my Dad has a jumble load of emotions going on and he doesn't know how to deal with them. It's hard for the whole family but we need to pull together collectively. My friend told me her friend's father had a stroke and after therapy is speaking well again. My brother feels if not for my SIL's prodding to get her to the ER, we would be going to a funeral today. Goodness, that gives me chills and I'd rather not think about it.
Her doctor did say that she has a clog in one of the arteries going to her right kidney, so she has to be very careful what she eats and keep up with her doctor's appointments.
Zamode, your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Best Wishes to your mom.
Zamode, that is very good that she is home! I feel for her, it is a major blow to one's pride to have difficulty with speech and to be self-conscious!
The blood thinners required constant monitoring and read up on them, certain foods must be avoided and she has to be careful with bruises and cuts and falls.
I bet your poor father is having trouble with this, it is his life's partner and very scarey!
You are all still in our prayers!
Many hugs to you all!
Squirrelly Cakes
Squirrelly, she is resting and seems okay, not saying much though....some words are fine and others it is really difficult. I know she is struggling with what happened to her. Turns out Medicare won't pay for home services unless she is homebound so she goes for outpatient at the hospital but not until Monday. I think my daughter (13 months) is good therapy for her. We bought an automatic BP monitor for her, she doesn't go to her prmary until Monday.
Yes, my father is having a hard time and he doesn't know what to do--they are married 46 years. He has to adjust things asap, though; it's his turn to care for her. My sister and brothers have been wonderful.
Thank you so much for continued thoughts and prayers, it is such a comfort to me. Some of my suppossed closest friends haven't even done as much.
Hi Zamode! You and your family are in my thoughts. I used to work as a speech therapy assistant for about 4 years and mainly worked with stroke patients. If she does the facial exercises and other exercises her therapist recommends she should see improvement over time!
Please tell her to look at this recovery period as a small amount of time in her life to get back on her feet. And she has been given the blessing of a second chance to take care of herself and her health.
Ever since I worked in speech therapy I tell everyone to think of a stroke like a heart attack. If you were having a heart attack you wouldn't ignore the symptoms so don't ignore a brain attack!!! A lot of emergency rooms started calling them brain attacks and you put on the fast track thru the ER just like if you were having a heart attack.
The best of luck and recovery to your mom! 
That is good advice Dodibug!
Well kiddo, I am sure your Dad will be more help as he sees how much it is needed, he probably is in a bit of shock. I bet the visit with your wee one was good for your mother!
Not sure if they mentioned this, but sometimes they want you recording the blood pressure on both arms so they have a guideline.
I am sure as your mothers starts to see improvements her spirits will lift, the depression part is very normal especially for a woman that is used to being strong and independant, poor soul!
God bless you all and the prayers continue!
Sometimes our friends stay away or don't know how to deal with things and that may be what is going on kiddo. I know it must be a disappointment but I am sure it doesn't reflect on how much they care about you or your situation, sometimes people just don't know what to do and make the wrong decision not to do anything.
Hugs Squirrelly
Thank you Dodibug! Everyone who has added to this thread, thank you very much. Squirrelly, you have been such a big help as well.
Yes, Mom loves the visits with the tiny one. She's a funny little baby and makes Mom laugh. Dad is not the best with expressing himself (what man is, really...) so it actually makes some tension but we all have to deal with the whole situation. My sister and two brothers have been so very helpful with me in all of this. We have to be grateful for the fact that it was not worse.
As far as my friends go, anyone feel free to give your thoughts on this. I can't believe I am putting this all out on the net but....
I understand that cell phone texts and emails are not the best way to communicate. I knew not everyone would get the messages right away, that was not the issue. All my intent was was to ask for prayers and good wishes for my mother. I sent two texts out to my two closest friends Friday night and a couple of emails on Saturday. I didn't want long drawn out epistles, just that Mom was being taken care of in prayer and the best was wished for her. I didn't feel like getting on the phone, my emotions are still up and down and I had family here for the weekend.
One of the email friends I heard from in a day or two--she must have gotten the email as she forwarded me some attachment of cutesy photos of dogs and cats. Nothing about my Mom. I remember getting on the phone with her immediately when I found out she had been in a drug rehab.
One of my friends replied to the text the next day. She had a one sentence answer to the tune of "don't worry, she'll be fine" (period) and then proceed to tell me how her 6 year old had a fever, what he was taking after he went to the doctor and how many milligrams. I was dumbfounded. I just told you my mother had a stroke and you are telling me milligrams for a kid (any kid) that runs a fever and is often sick and all I got was basically don't worry about it. This from my best friend whose parents both have serious health issues and I stood by when she called me three times a day, sometimes at work, during her divorce. She called me a few days later to ask how is mom, her kid is doing okay but he's still sick. Then a text a few days later how are you and the kid is still sick (he's not ill in a bad way, it's just a fever/cold) plus the other one has it now.
Second one is a good friend honestly but our friendship is hanging on by a thread, we hardly ever talk and see each other even less. It was like that for awhile and then we wound up working together somewhat and it returned to the prior no talk/no see when I didn't go back after having my daughter. I knew she would be checking her cell on Monday and I didn't hear from her until Tuesday night. That's not the issue but the blah blah about her controlling husband who always has her doing stuff and how they are remodeling their kitchen and I haven't had time to call. I don't recall saying something like that to her when she told me her father had cancer.
Two are 35 years old and one is 40 and have been my friends for 13-16 years, I expected much more. I don't mean constant calls, flowers, etc., I mean decency. I have to deal with these people sometime and I don't know what to do. I am hurt and angry and not a confrontational person.
Opinions please!
Zamode, sometimes people cannot see beyond the end of their own noses. They don't mean to be self-centred or selfish but sometimes that is how they act. They get caught up in their own worlds and can't put aside their own stuff for a second to take a backseat to someone else who has more serious issues to deal with. Because the things going on don't affect them personally, they have trouble listening and being good friends. Some people are just like that, true friends, understanding people, are hard to come by sometimes.
You have an inoperable cancer, they have had a gall bladder operation that they will talk about for an hour and a half. You lose a parent, they almost lost their pet fish. You lose your home, they had a flat tire. It is almost a competition with some people and others have trouble not always being in the limelight. Many people, when they are at home all day or alone a lot, become like this. They get a listening ear and they will talk it off but when you need to be listened to, they have trouble with it. I don't think it is deliberate, it is just that they are not thinking.
A listening course is the best way to realize this, courses folks take to do counselling and such and learn how to put self aside to listen and empathize with others. Many folks do not understand that there is a need to listen without always having to relate their own similar stories or compare woes or practice oneupmanship.
Sometimes in life you luck out, you are a good friend, you have good friends. Other times you will find that everyone is so used to you being the good friend, they have forgotten how to be one.
I am sorry your friends are not showing you the support you need kiddo!
I hope things continue to improve for your mother, sounds like she has a wonderful supportive family!
Hugs Squirrelly
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