Sunday, October 28, 2007

Overwhelming Week

Overwhelming is an apt way to describe my week. Last Monday, my mother had an incredible headache and thought she was having a stroke. She eventually ended up being sent to UAB Hospital, where they ran tests and discovered that she actually had a very large aneurysm. They performed brain surgery on her Tuesday night.

My mother is in very good health. She had not been in a hospital since giving birth to my sister 31 years ago. And she had no prior headaches or other indications that an aneurysm was about to occur. To say that we were all shocked is an understatement. It was stunning how quickly our lives had changed.

The good news is that my mother is making a remarkable--quite miraculous, actually--recovery. The day after surgery, we found her sitting up in bed, watching TV. She was not only alert, but able to carry on conversations as normal. Less than a week since surgery, the doctors are preparing to boot her out of ICU and into a regular room, then home soon, Lord willing.

I've not only been overwhelmed with our unexpected and unwanted journey into the world of central lines and CT scans, but I've also been overwhelmed in many good ways, such as:

-The phone calls and emails from concerned friends asking how they could help
-The friends who drove with me to the hospital in Birmingham and kept me distracted as we awaited news of the surgery
-The many people who drove up from Montgomery to sit with us at the hospital all day Tuesday
-The good folks at Homewood Church of Christ who provided hotel rooms for us Tuesday night and an apartment to stay in
-The incredible kindness of the nursing staff who seem to go beyond their call of duty
-God arranging for Mom to have the top neurosurgeon at UAB
-The abundance of food and magazines and lotion and other treats sent and brought to us
-Hearing of prayers from literally around the world being lifted up in my mom's behalf

I could go on and on, but it's safe to say that God has showered His graciousness on us over the past week in immeasurable ways. Although we won't be able to fully relax until my mom comes home, I do feel so blessed to have such amazing friends, church families and hospital staff on our side.

Please continue to pray for my mom's continued recovery. And if you can, go call your mother.

6 comments:

Kelley said...

Will certainly pray.

Tara said...

I'm so happy that everything turned out okay for your mom. Please let her know I am praying for her quick recovery. And also for the hands that are caring for her, yours included!

Anonymous said...

I have been praying for your family and have been keeping up with your mom's through Aleah. I praise our Lord for how well she is doing. Please let her and your Dad and sister know I have been praying for all of you. -Tracie

Donna G said...

I am sorry you are all going through this but thankful all seems to have turned out well. God is so good in so many ways. I will add you and your Mom to my prayers.

Colette said...

I will be praying for your family. (And I just texted my mom to tell her I love her!)

Michelle Van Loon said...

I recently lost my mom, so am grateful to hear of this postive outcome for your family.

I'm adding my prayers to the others today.