| Author | Message | ||
     Fltwistygirl |
Horrific day today and even though I'm not a church girl, despite having several ministers in my family, I believe in the healing power of prayer/good vibes/spirituality. Got the dreaded visit at work today from my spouse and son that my mom had a stroke and had been airlifted to the hospital in Duluth (MN). I keep my phone on vibrate and was working at the nearby m/c range so they drove the ten minutes to tell me face to face. I kept it together till I got home, but I'm pretty wigged out being so far away (still in FL) and having little info. I know this is not a medical forum but there are people here that are way smarter than me as well as being good hearted. What I know is this: She went in to the ER 2 weeks ago for shortness of breath. They attributed it to the heat and humidity + stress. Sent her home. Last night she was in the living room, and told my step dad she felt "off". A few minutes later he heard a strange noise, went to check on her and she was non-responsive. He called 9-1-1. The local facility could not help her, she needed more care than they could provide so she was airlifted to ICU in Duluth. They are wheeling her down for an MRI right now. I just wanted to put y'all on notice, if she comes out of this ok, I'm sure she'd get a kick from getting cards from people in my motorcycle world. I'll keep you posted. Thanks. BeLinda. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'm sorry to hear that Belinda, I'll say a prayer for your family. | ||
| Britchri10 |
All of your family are in our thoughts. So sorry to hear this. Chris C | ||
| Leftcoastal |
Good vibes being sent from west coast. Hoping she pulls thru. Strokes really suck. Al | ||
| Aeholton |
I'm a big believer in prayer, Belinda. I will be praying for your mom's complete recovery. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Thanks, all. My brother is already at the hospital, and knowing him he is on his motorcycle. My sister is driving up tomorrow and packing a bag in case she has to stay longer. As fate has it, her BFF from high school lives in that town so she'd have a comfy place to stay nearby if it turns out to be a longer stay while mama bear recovers. Depending on the results of the MRI, I may move my exit date from FL up. My last class in FL ends tomorrow and if I can finish packing, I can leave sooner. I have put my friends along the way on alert that I may be hauling butt coming thru and can alter my travel plans to go up thru WI directly to Duluth if needed and take one of the bikes back to the twin cities for my first class the next weekend. I would need to deal with the wrath of the Florida public school system however for pulling my son out early unless I figure some way to get him to take his finals sooner. I'd hope those people are not total monsters and would make an exception for a good student whose grammy is in ICU with a life threatening medical condition. Question: my aunt told my sister there is a drug that is administered to patients within ten or so hours of a stroke that either can lessen the extent of the damage or speed up the recovery? Anyone here familiar with what it is so I can be informed and ask intelligent questions. Frankly medical stuff turns my stomach...there is a reason I am not a nurse. And thanks to those of you who have the stomach for that job because that is not me. I often have to excuse myself from shop talk between my friends who work in the medical field.  | ||
| Britchri10 |
Its Tissue Plasmogen Activator tPA or PLAT http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&sou rce=web&cd=1&ved=0CHoQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.we bmd.com%2Fstroke%2Ftissue-plasminogen-activator-t- pa-for-stroke&ei=Lq_KT7KaMoqI8QSypY3zDg&usg=AFQjCN EFMl9PJl8vegV-ML_hFNdGEf-CTQ&sig2=_yiKxOcn19BNf2_a ARsg1Q This covers it pretty well Chris C | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Thanks, Chris. I love webmd, but its never good having to spend time there. Any other websites anyone can recommend for strokes? As mentioned above, I like to be informed especially if I'm going to be the primary advocate for her with this issue. This may be another "duh, that's obvious" thing on my part, but I've found I'm much better received by doctors when I've done my legwork. | ||
| Rotzaruck |
We had a thing that started out in a similar way a few years ago with my Mom. It was a horrible and forever month until things got better. I will be praying that ya'll have as good an out come as we did. Lots of praying and the grace of God got me through that and a lot of other things. Try it. Please. You folks are on my list! Ed | ||
| Prior |
You are in our prayers. Ride safe on your way up! | ||
| Britchri10 |
If you can wait until I can get to work on Monday I will consult w/our Stroke Educator. (yeah, I'm in the medical field.) I am sure she will have access to a lot of relevant information. I'll PM you once I have spoken to her. Chris C | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Thanks everyone. I'm feeling so much better after a good night's rest, and I had an update from my sister in law already this morning. They confirmed it was a heart attack, not a stroke. Although I am a little confused how one could be mistaken for another, I'm just glad they know what happened and hopefully can move forward with the best treatment possible. When I heard shortness of breath, the first thing I thought was congestive heart failure. That was one of the factors that ended my dad's short life early, and I believe my mom's mothers life as well. It's in the family. So, that sends this into a different direction. Any links anyone deems helpful, please post up. Thanks again. BeLinda. | ||
| 86129squids |
Hang in there BeLinda... I know distance can exacerbate things, my GF's dad was in the Dominican Republic... Take stock in your brother and sis, make your moves with due deliberation, and things will work out. Prayers up, good mojo on the way. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Prayers sent Belinda. I know how rough it is to deal with sick parents, especially when you're not close-by. | ||
| Fahren |
Sorry to hear this; sending strong healing juju vibes from me. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Need as many ju ju vibes as possible, bw peeps. Finished my class, talked to my sister who is now there with other family. News not good. Seems it was a stroke and a heart attack. Much damage done by stroke & swelling in brain makes surgery too risky. | ||
| Whatever |
Sorry BeLinda. Hang in there. Charlotte | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Thank you all for your prayers. I am comforted that she is at peace and will be with our Lord soon. She is surrounded by family. They took her off life support last night and moved her to hospice. I am 97% packed and ready to go now but my son wants to travel with me so we need to clear it with his school and then we are northward bound. Thank you all so much. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
nothing I could type here would ever come close to letting you know how I wish you didn't have this to deal with.... you are in my thoughts..... Mark | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
She passed last night around 1 am central time. | ||
| Fahren |
So sorry for your loss. | ||
| Britchri10 |
Our thoughts are with you and your family. Sorry for your loss. Chris C | ||
| M2statz |
Sorry for your loss BeLinda. Thoughts and prayers sent to you and your family. | ||
| Crusty |
My deepest sympathy. It's really tough when you lose a parent. | ||
| Kcfirebolt |
Please accept our condolences. May you find peace and joy in fond memories soon. | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Thanks all, very much appreciated. I spoke to the hospice nurse and she said it was a peaceful passing and there was no pain. Each of my friends I have spoken with this morning has assured me that the quick and painless way is not a bad thing....for her. For the family members who loved her and were not able to say goodbye, it is horrific. As far as we know, she was unaware of everything til she passed, so it may not have made a difference to her whether we were there or not. Greg is surprised how well I am doing, I believe I am still in shock, it seems like a bad dream. Thank God he is getting his vacation time adjusted so he can be with us. He did not want me to be driving and crying, and I tend to agree that scenario is not safe. I'm envisioning her drinking coffee with my dad and other loved ones in heaven. Irene was an awesome mom, and we will all miss her. She was my number one cheerleader when I made the decision to leave my HR job and become a ridercoach. Not that I care about everyone's opinion regarding my career or life choices, but I'll just leave it at not everyone thought it was a good choice for me and she always backed me up, reminding me of the importance of my happiness. I'm worried about my step-dad, she was his everything, and I am afraid he will lose his will to live with her gone. If anyone wants to send him card, here's his address: Ken Pasch 1309 2nd Street West Eveleth, MN 55734 Thank you all again. (Message edited by fltwistygirl on June 04, 2012) | ||
| Buellhusker |
My condolence on the passing of your mother you have been in my prayers. | ||
| Whatever |
So sorry, BeLinda... Rest In Peace Mama Fltwisty... Hang in there, the first few weeks are going to be rough. I am glad your family will be with you. Charlotte | ||
| 86129squids |
Wow, BeLinda... Given that there were both events contributing, a peaceful passage in a short amount of time ranks as a "best case" scenario- of course the BEST would have been a full recovery. A great friend and a top MSF rider coach I know has been recently diagnosed with a major blockage to his heart, along with one or two minor strokes- he's coming along, doing the stuff needed to have a surgery late this year... hope his situation works out well. My GF's dad passed from a stroke a few months back- in the Dominican Republic, they bury the deceased within 24-36 hours. We had to SCRAMBLE to get her there before the interment. I can understand the element of distance here- my dad also passed in Land-O'-Lakes, with all of us up here in TN... that is never easy. BE SAFE in your travels, take comfort in your family, be mindful of your son losing his "me-maw", and know that I myself and all of us BW folks are praying for you. | ||
| Reepicheep |
People are so important. Thanks for introducing us to Irene, she sounds like a really neat lady! |
