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!

Comments

[Dona]

There's a reason we're all praying for Sterling, for you and for your family....
You Make A Difference!

[Linda Atkins]

I am so sorry to hear of Sterling's health scare. I have learned over time that when that "still small voice" nudges me that I should listen and err on that being what He is trying to tell me. God surely blessed you by it being a scare and not a full blown stroke. I pray he recuperates fully and that your ministry will continue to be a blessing to those you serve. God bless you both. Independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator from Pennsylvania, USA.

[Pip Todman]

Oh Shelli & Sterling - so sorry to hear this, but thank goodness you listened (eventually - a little nudging & shouting needed there!!!) - please look after each other and heed the warning, do all the good things you're doing - but do them gently and with care for you - because you both need to be around to do good a lot longer! Huge hugs and prayers, Pip xx

[Keven]

Sterling' s smile makes everything peaceful, blessing recover soon.

[Ron Perry]

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

[Sharon Walker]

{{{hugs}}} and prayers for all of you!

[Cheryl O'Bree]

Thinking of you both, listen to your body, take care of yourselves first, then others. You have a beautiful family waiting for you at home. Praying for a full recovery Sterling, and strength for Shelli to look after you.

[Nancy G.]

Wishing Sterling a full recovery!

[Lois Good]

So sorry to hear about Sterling! Late in catching up on your blog because of my own health problems but too have learned a great lesson - follow your instinct and the awareness of being told to do so! Prayers for you both, I know having family for Thanksgiving was a great booster to everyone!

[Trina Congie]

Shelli,
I just found this post today, about Sterling, and I don't see an update. If you posted one please let me know where. I had a stroke in Oct. 2014 and they later discovered an irregular heartbeat caused me to throw a clot. I believe the treatment is the same regardless of the cause (blood thinners) but it is nice to know the cause and I hope they found out what caused Sterling's. There is a group on Facebook called stroke talk for Facebook and I actually found more information there, and people that understood, than anywhere else.
Please tell Sterling he is in my prayers and I am sorry he had to join this club.

[Helen Stosky]

I'm so sorry to hear about this. My life has been so full and I don't always get the time to come in and read your post. I am so happy to hear about a good outcome. I just lost my brother in September due to a stroke. He also had one about 5 years earlier and recovered quite well until he decided he didn't need his meds. So I am happy to hear that is not the case here. Take care, sending love and prayers for continued progress to good health.

[Cathy Parlitsis]

Wow! I am really out of the loop! I JUST saw this now after checking in from the new announcement video about Sara! I am so sorry to hear about Sterling's stroke. He took such great care of you when you had your accident and I know you'll be taking great care of him!

Glad to hear you're making time for yourselves. Life truly is precious.
I will be keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs,
Cathy