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Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Good Day Everyone,
I thought I would pop in and do a post. I know it's been a good while and since Summer is coming to a close and School is about to start back, I thought I might try and get back in the swing of things again. I hope everyone has had a great Summer and got to enjoy time with Family and Friends. We haven't done much around here because my DH doesn't have any vacation time in yet. The girls have gone to several Vacation Bible Schools in the area and this week they are going to the VBS at our Church. Tonight is the last night for it and they will have their commencement.
It has been rather hot around here lately. We have been under "Heat Advisory's" several times in the last few weeks. Just the temperature got up to 102 degrees a couple of days and with the heat index, it was like 110 degrees. Just very miserable around here. We are suppose to be getting some relief by Friday they say. We are to get some rain tomorrow and then on Friday the high's will be in the 80's. That will sure be nice for a change. I am so ready for some much cooler weather.
I would like for yall to know that my DH had a stroke last week. He was out on the road when it happened. "THANK GOD" he was with his Uncle when it happened. It happened sometime either late Sunday night or early Monday morning. I had called him that Monday morning around 5:00a.m. and his speech was so slurred and it was all I could do to really understand him. His right arm was numb, but he was still able to drive. His Uncle wanted to take him to the Emergency Room in North Las Vegas, but my DH is very hard headed and wanted to hurry and get home so I could take him to the Emergency Room. They got home last Wednesday morning around 3:00a.m. and he took a shower and I took him to the Emergency Room. They did a CAT Scan on him and it showed up he had had a stroke. They admitted him and put him in ICU. A Neurologist came in to see him and he ordered a series of tests on my DH. They did a MRI and it came up good. They did another test where they sedated him and put a tube down his throat and checked his heart and it came up good. They did another test, MRA, and it showed up that he had had several mini strokes over a period of time. The Neurologist said there was like 9 or 10 mini strokes. Out of those 9 or 10, 2 of the mini strokes were severe. They kept him in ICU until Thursday afternoon and he was put into a Private Room. This past Saturday, they did another CAT Scan and did a EEG (Brain Wave Test). Both of those came up good as well. They started him on Cummadin (don't know if I spelled that right or not), and also, Zocor. He finally got to come home yesterday afternoon. I was so glad because nothing is better than your own bed to sleep in. Anyway, he has to be off of work for at least 2 weeks and maybe longer. I have to take him to have his blood checked again next Tuesday and then the following Tuesday, he has to go see the Neurologist for a follow-up. We may have to go to Little Rock because the Neurologist said something about having a stint put in so he wouldn't have to take Cummadin the rest of his life. I am hoping and praying that it can be done in Memphis because that would be so much closer to us. Either way, both the Cummadin and the Stint has pro's and con's. We will just have to weigh the pro's against the con's on both sides. He has had to quit smoking as well. He wanted me to quit smoking with him and so I decided I would. It has been hard, but so far so good. He hasn't smoked now in a week and my week will be tomorrow. It is really hard when I am having coffee because I was used to drinking coffee and smoking. Nothing better than a good cup of coffee and have a cigarrett in another hand. It is going to difficult, but I know with GOD'S help, we can do it. This Stroke has really scared my DH and he is determined to do it. While he was in the hospital, he had to walk up and down the halls for therapy. So, yesterday afternoon late, we walked around the block here where we live at. We are going to keep doing that as well. So, if you have a moment to spare when you are saying your prayers, I would like for you to pray for my DH and our Family as we go thru this difficult time. "THANK YOU" so much in advance.
Our girls will be starting back to School here on the 18th of this month. My Parents have taken our oldest daughter today to get a booster shot that she is suppose to get before going in the 7th grade. I think they are getting the girls School supplies as well. Since my DH isn't able to work, we have no income coming in now. I do have everything paid up for this month tho, and hopefully, he will be able to go back to work before everything comes due again next month. Our youngest daughter's birthday is this month as well and we were planning on having her party at Chuck E. Cheese's. That is where she was wanting to have it. But since this has happened, it will have to be here at home and we have talked to her about it and explained everything to her. She will be 10 years old and she seems to be okay with it.
Well, guess I'll go for now. I am in the process of fixing some lunch for my DH. He got used to having 3 meals a day in the hospital, so now I have to fix 3 meals a day here. I just have to watch what he eats since he is on Cummadin and taking meds for his Cholesterol as well. He's not on any real special diet, he just has to be careful what he eats and how much. Take care everyone and I'll try to get around later today or tomorrow and start visiting again. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

28 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

{{{Karen}}}

I just opened your email a few minutes ago and now finished your newest post!!!

OMGoodness, what a scare that musta been!!! And he felt well enough to go from NLV to home and still be alert enough to have you take him to the ER! That is amazing. He must be mighty strong willed. And that is a good sign if you ask me...he's a survivor.

Hope the birthday will go off without a hitch and she has a grand celebration.

Good luck on the 'not smoking' too! I've been told a lot to stop because of my heart condition, but I want to stop on my own time and not be 'told' you should. I know. I know, that's the wrong attitude....but that is me.

Both of you...take care, take things easy and relax and get back to good health. And, Karen, stop to breathe yourself, I know what it's like to have to be the caretaker AND a wife and mother at the same time. Take some time for yourself.

Hugs...thoughts and prayers.

Mike Golch said...

Karen,I will keep you and your Hubby in my prayers,strokes are nothing to fool around with.Tell him that if he feel the stymtoms that he needs to get too the nearest er asap. and not wait to get home.
I had my own health scare this weekend as well.

Love Bears All Things said...

Hello Karen,
It is good to hear from you. I'm sorry about the stroke but it was a wake-up call for healthier living. I know it is hard to quit smoking. We did it in 1986. But you can do it with God's help.
We are getting our house here ready to sale and have a contract on one in Alabama. I'll tell you more about that as things develope. I'm praying that all goes well for you and DH in the days to come. Hopefully , he will not have to give up his occupation. My Dad was a truck driver as you know and when he developed Hypoglycemia, they wouldn't insure him any more to drive because he was driving for Shell Oil and it was too dangerous. Since your DH drives double that makes it so much better. If he feels bad, his uncle can take over.
Blessings,
Mama Bear

Anonymous said...

Karen, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. Luckily the stroke wasn't too serious, but a real wake up call. But Karen, if anything like this should happen again, DO NOT wait - get to the ER immediately. There are things that can be done to prevent further damage, but they must be done as soon as possible - like within a few hours.

Being on Coumadin will help, but he needs to be careful if he bumps or cuts anything, as his blood will not clot quickly.

Stopping smoking and eating healthier will help him - and you. You both want to be around a long time for yourselves and your daughters.

Please, please take this warning of his seriously. This is not the time for him to be macho and think that he can do anything and not seek help immediately.

Hope you'll have time to continue blogging.

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Hi, Karen. It was good to get your email today and then read your blog.

I'm sorry about your hubby's health problems, but it sounds like y'all are doing all you can to try to keep him as healthy as possible. It's good that both of you have quit smoking and started walking. Keep up the good work!

I'll be praying for D. and your family, and I'll put y'all on the prayer list at church tonight.

Love and hugs,

Diane

Loretta said...

I know what you're feeling. My DH has also had mini strokes. The last one two and a half years ago. He is also taking better care of himself now.

This heat is about to get to me. Y'all be carefull walking in it. Take care.

Lib said...

Hi Karen, Just got your email and run over to your pOst!
WELCOME back!!!!!!!!!!!!!I sure missed you!
So sorry to hear about your Dh health problems will be praying for ya'll.
Hope ya'll have a good rest of the wk.
WELCOME BACK FRIEND!!!!!!!!!:o)
Love,Hugs, Blessins,Lib

Carole Burant said...

Hello dear Karen:-)

Sooooo good to hear from you again and see you posting...I've missed you!! I am so sorry to hear about your DH having had a stroke, I can well imagine how much this has scared both of you. Sometimes it takes something like that to give us a wake up call and realize we need to take better care of ourselves. The very best of luck with quitting smoking, I can't imagine how hard it is to do so!! My prayers are with you, your DH and your girls.

Hard to believe we're in August already and summer will be over before we know it. School doesn't start here until the first week of September. Our temps have been staying in the 70's which is a good thing since my air conditioner has been in the shop for 4 weeks already! I wouldn't survive the heat you have been getting...I melt at 80F. lol

Awwww, I'm glad that your daughter is understanding why her birthday celebrations have to be done at home...as long as she's with her loved ones, she'll have fun anyway:-)

Take good care of YOU and hope you keep us updated on your DH!! xoxo

ancient one said...

Hope your DH gets well soon. And he probably will. My mom has been having mini strokes for the last 3 years. So far they don't last long and she's better in just a matter of hours. She is also on cumadin and Plavix.

She has to have her blood checked often to adjust the mesds.. She has been doing so great and I expect your husband will too!

Joyce said...

Karen, so good to hear from you. So very sorry to read about your Hubby. He will be in my prays. make sure the next time He gets somewhere fast. I am so glad things are going well and the two of you are now not smoking. You will benifit as well as your girls. I have not been on line much. I have been ill for a few weeks and now doing better. I hope to get back in the loop in a week or so. Just keep stoping by every so often. Take care and good luck on the smoking stoping.

Love and Hugs,
Joyce

Mimi said...

WELCOME BACK KAREN!!!
You have had a very very busy summer...
So sorry to hear about your DH...but honey if it will make you both quit smoking...I would say that the Lord had his hand in it!!!
I will pray for him as he has the testing to see what treatment program the doctor's will follow...
Be Encouraged
Mimi...
p.s.
I missed you...

Sandra said...

Welcome Back Karen, I've missed your posts. I'm SO sorry about your DH, that had to have been so scary for you all. I've sent up a prayer and will continue to do so.

Hugs,
Sandra

Mary said...

Karen,

How scary that must have been when you heard your DH slurring his words and his arm was numb. I can't believe he got home without having major problems, but so glad he did. I will add your family to my prayer list - your DH for good health and your family for financial blessings.

I'm so glad you are back in the blogging world. I've missed your posts.

It's hard to believe that your girls are going back to school in a week or so. Our boys go back after Labor Day. Some areas have already gone back in the States. My friend who is in Arkansas was telling me that her grandsons are already back in school.

Take care, my friend. Please keep us updated on your DH.

Blessings,
Mary

Chrissie said...

I've been worried about you, and praying for you all this time! I'm so glad you decided to give an update - Praise God your hubby's going to be all right! What a scary couple weeks you've been through, dear friend! And God bless you as you take the plunge to kick the habit - kicking any habit is a pain in the neck, so I'll be praying for you both! With God, All things are possible - you've come this far already - there's no limit to where you can go, dear friend! I'm on a sabbatical, too, these days, but I'll be posting soon, so keep checking in! Take care and God bless you!
Hugs and prayers!
Chrissie

BittersweetPunkin said...

Hi Karen...I kept popping back in hoping you were going to post again. I am so sorry to hear about your DH, your family will for sure be in my prayers!
Hugs,
robin

Ms. Kathleen said...

Hope all is going well and keeping you in my prayers... Keep us posted. God Bless! Hugs!

Betty said...

Hi Karen,

Welcome back to the blogging world. You were definitely missed.

I am so sorry to hear about your husband's bad health experience. Hope he is okay by now.

Love and Prayers,
Betty

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

WELCOME HOME Karen,we have missed you!!! Sounds like a really busy summer!
I am so sorry to hear about your husband. I have had two moderate strokes one when I was only 28 years old and the other one two years ago. I had paresis to the left side of my face and the left arm. You can still see the drupe to my mouth.
My husband takes plavex another type of blood thinner and has 3 stints in his heart and 1 in his neck. He has had the arteries on the left side of the neck cleaned out 4 times and the right side 1 time. He has had numerous mint strokes as well as 3 heart attacks over the last 11 years. I am telling you this to let you know that they have made so many strides in medicine today. My husband is still working and he does manual labor. I hope and I will pray everything goes well. Again so glad to see you back....Mary

Nonnas News said...

Karen, I just saw where you posted again. Its so good to hear from you! I'm so sorry to hear about your DH. I will keep him in my prayers! I'm sure he will be ok as long as he does what the drs say. Take care. And welcome back to blogsville!

Denise said...

So sorry to hear about your DH and I pray that he makes a full recovery... and good for you to quit smoking .... I know that is so hard but you will feel so much better in the long run..... It was so hard for me but it has been 20 years ago now! Sooooooo take care of yourself and I will be praying,,,

Unknown said...

Karen, I am so happy to see you posting again. Of course I am sorry to hear about your husband. I will keep him in my prayers for a complete recovery.

I have been on holidays and this is the first time in about 3 weeks I have managed to get the computer all to myself. I have been sharing it with our son both before we left and since we came back until today.

Hope to see you posting more now that school is starting again. Take care my friend.

God bless.

Cecil said...

Karen.. I just checked to see if you had posted and there you were! So sorry to hear about your husband! Like Diane said, we will put him and your family on our prayer list! Glad you were able to come on for a bit!! Cecil

Simply Shelley said...

Hi Karen, just thought I would check to see if you had started back posting and there you were. I am so sorry to hear of your husbands stroke,and I will pray all turns out well for him.
It's so good to hear from you again!

Blessings,Shelley

Susie said...

Hi Karen,
So sorry to hear of your husband's stroke. I've said a prayer for his speedy recovery.
hugs))

Michelle said...

Karen,
How frightening for your husband to suffer this stroke, away from home and I'm sure you felt helpless until he came home. I'll keep you all in my prayers. Congratulations on quitting smoking. Me and my hubby are 7 years smoke-free and it was the best thing I could do, but it wasn't easy! Hang in there.

Michelle

Linda said...

Hi Karen...welcome back! Missed you.

So sorry to hear your husband had a stroke. It must have been scary with him on the road and not at home....I hope he is doing better, I know he is getting lots of TLC. It's great you all have given up smoking and are walking, just take one day at a time and you will be successful. I will keep you in my prayers....hugs, Linda

Hootin Anni said...

I'm dropping by today to let you know you all are in my continual thoughts. How are things? Is your hubby recovering well?

You ALL take care and know you're being thought of!!!

Anonymous said...

My name is Todd Thomas and i would like to show you my personal experience with Zocor.

I am 55 years old. Have been on Zocor for 4 years now. Zocor did lower my cholesterol. I also have RA and did not know which caused pain stopped Zocor, pain improved dramatically, but weakness remains. Dr says permanent damage. Now I my cholesterol is high.

I have experienced some of these side effects -
Leg pain and weakness

I hope this information will be useful to others,
Todd Thomas

Zocor Prescription Medication