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Monday
Nov232015

Wake Up Call

Sterling found himself a little weak and wobbly in his lower left leg when he woke up on Saturday morning. I asked him if it could have been a stroke (the Spirit’s first nudge to me that I ignored), and he told me he thought he’d just slept wrong and that it would go away during the day.

We went about our preparation day as usual, doing laundry and cleaning, with Sterling standing on a chair to clean our sliding glass door and climbing the stairs to our favorite little café for lunch. Sterling then drove us to Equine 808, where we donate time on Saturday afternoons, and he trimmed horses’ hooves. I haltered and gathered to minimize his walking. Then we vacuumed the car, had it washed, and stopped by Walmart. By this time, Sterling was getting tired and was happy to lean on the cart while I raced around the store.

On our way home, I insisted he stay in the car and take a nap while I ran into the store and grabbed some groceries. We hurried to shower and get ready for stake conference, and while we were sitting and waiting for the meeting to start, I decided to do a little research online. (This time I listened to the prompting).)

The first paragraph I read alarmed me, and I knew right away that I should have gotten online earlier in the morning. Sterling started to read with me, and everything described was exactly what happened. It was a great meeting, but I have to admit, we were both a little distracted, researching different kinds of strokes and nearby hospitals.

Shortly after the meeting, we headed to the hospital emergency room where we didn’t wait at all, and the staff was efficient and friendly. At first, the staff wasn’t sure what to think because Sterling’s symptoms were so subtle, but after a CT scan and an MRI, it was determined that he had definitely had a stroke. Today he’s getting an echocardiogram, and we hope to go home.

We don’t know all the details of the stroke and the plan moving forward because we haven’t seen the neurologist yet, but after physical therapy yesterday, the therapist discovered that Sterling had also lost a little mobility in his left hand, but overall he’s doing very well and should recover fully.

It was an emotional Sabbath day, FaceTiming our family and counting our blessings. The doctors and nurses tell us this is a wake up call. Well, we’re definitely awake…and feeling extremely blessed!

We wish all of you, our dear family and friends, a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

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Reader Comments (87)

So sorry to hear this! We will keep Sterling and all of the Gardner family in our prayers! God Bless!
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterSusan LaCroix
Sending positive thoughts and prayers for a full and speedy recovery. And as you said Shelli, don't ignore this 'wake up call' and stay vigilant! Thinking of you and your whole family! God Bless!
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterLouise Cyr (ON, Canada)
Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. God will be with you guiding and protecting you. Yes, count your blessings.
Happy Thanksgiving to you both. Hugs
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterTracy
My thoughts and prayers are with you Shelli and Sterling. Big hugs to you both.
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterNancy
You are in our prayers! Glad to hear he is doing better. We all have to watch for these signs as we age. Good luck with recovery.
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered Commentermary - ann schulze
May your faith and trust in the Lord get you through this new journey. It is a scary thing when Tia's happen. May God Bless you and Sterling for all your hard work and dedication, Prayer to all of the family.

Pat
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterPat
Thoughts and prayers coming your way! Hope Sterling is up and running in no time!
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterMary D
Happy Thanksgiving to you and Sterling! I'm sending prayer your way that Sterling mend quickly. Please listen to your thoughts.....and take it a bit easier. Big Hug!!!
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterLee Corey
Very sorry to hear about Sterling. Praying and thinking of you both.
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterPatricia
Sending tons of healing hugs and thoughts!!!
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterLee Murphy
Sending healing prayers to Sterling. Much love to you both.
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterLynsay Mahon
Please know that everyone - even those "downunder" are thinking of you and wishing you support and love
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterBernie
Wishing you and your family a lot of strength! I hope Sterling recovers soon!
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterCarmen Morris
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterJenn Tinline
Blessings that you listened to that little voice and prayers that Sterling may receive great care and guidance to a full and speedy recovery. prayers being sent your way for all of you and the family and you deal with this and the distance, just know you are wrapped in lots of love
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterRhonda Morgan
Wow, "wake up call" is right. Thank God this was but a mild stroke and Sterling will make a full recovery. Thinking all the positive thoughts I can muster and keeping Sterling, you and the Gardner family in my prayers. xoxoxoxo
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterStella MacKay
I am so sorry. Prayers for your husband and you.
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterDeborah Atkinson
SO glad you answered the nudge of the Holy Spirit in time...praying for a swift recovery for Sterling...and patience for you, Shelly as his nurse! :-)
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterAnne Brown
Praying for a speedy recovery for Sterling and wishing you and your family all the very best. God Bless
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterRose Marie Coleman
You are BOTH in our prayers. Glad Sterling is on the road to recovery.
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterAnn & Cecil
Shelly , I'm so sorry to hear this happening to Sterling, yes your blessed, for now and always , take care , and thank you both for all you do !!!
Wishing you and the family a Happy Thanksgiving, we surly enjoyed our
On Stage Local, at Tampa Florida, it was the best !!!
Hugs to you both and lots of hugs and love ,
Hurry back , we miss you !!!!!!
Hugs frenchie Hum ๐Ÿ’—
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterFrenchie
Praying for you both. Hope recovery is fast. :)
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterNancy Farrell
I can only imagine how scary this was! Lifting you, Sterling and the entire family in prayer!
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterAmy Storrie
So glad he is doing better. ! Prayers continue
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterSherrie Robinson
Sending hugs and prayers for you both and glad the second nudge was loud enough to hear. Take care. Xx
November 24, 2015 | Unregistered CommenterZoe Tant

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