To my BB family,

My aunt had a stroke this past Saturday, and through an MRI, the doctors found a blood clot in her head, which they were able to remove through surgery. We are so grateful that, in such a dangerous situation, she has made it through, but she is still in a coma right now. They haven't determined what caused the bleeding, and they are unsure of when she'll wake up. My uncle and my two cousins are having a very difficult time dealing with all of this, and my family is doing what we can to provide support and comfort, hoping to keep them positive. Our two families lived next door to each other for many years, so we are extremely close, and my heart goes out to them...I truly cannot imagine the heartache they're experiencing. My uncle is relying on prayer right now, and we're all praying that she wakes up and can recover from this.

So I wanted to write here to ask of you, those who are religious or spiritual in any way - or any of you who can just hold good thoughts and well wishes for her - to please keep them in your prayers...we would all really appreciate it. Thank you so much.

You got it. My regimen has been daily rosaries and holy Lourdes water for my mom, and so will it be passed on to all those in need, including your aunt. The Blessed Mary is watching over her now; plus His will be done. *hugs*

gina -

You don't need to ask me twice....your aunt will be on my mind and I'll be sending good vibes all the way to TX.

My dear friend, I am sending love and prayers and good wishes your way. Please, keep strong. Give your uncle and cousins a hug. I know you're very close to them, and this must be hard on you, too.

Prayers on the way and will continue. Strokes are a tough thing. We went through it with my dad many years ago. The recovery is slow since the trauma to the brain takes time to wear off, but the good news and hope is that full recoveries can happen. The painful part is that it takes time and results are slow coming. Hang in there.

Sorry to hear this. You have all the prayers and good wishes i possess!

Hang in there!

Gina,

I am so sorry for you and your aunt. I know how you feel. My brother had a stroke almost two years ago and wasn't expected to live. It was the worse feeling ever. BUT, he survived without any major after affects. It can happen. She'll be in my prayers.


TIS

My thoughts and prayers are with your aunt and the rest of your family.

You got it.

I can't thank you all enough - this means so much. I just called my cousin to tell him about these wonderful responses, and I've sent him an email so he can show his dad later; I know he'll appreciate it greatly.

Geoff, sorry I was behind on your posts, but I'm glad to see now that your mom is doing well!

TIS and MC, thank you for sharing personal insight on this. The doctors can't seem to promise anything they're not sure of, but we're relying on stories from others to keep hope that things will work out in our situation, also.

Gi, please keep us posted.

Gina:

Your family is in my prayers. My uncle has been through 4 strokes and the last one was similar to what your aunt is experiencing. It was a long period in the hospital and a long recovery, but it can happen. Try to remain as positive as is possible.

Dearest Gina,

I havent been online lately mostly because I'm pretty sick myself, and next week I'll do CAT Scan, the doctors want to make sure there's no tumor or anything serious. CAT Scan isnt as safe as MRI, but whatever risks there are I have to take them right now. I just hope that the scan will be positive. So I will not be online for a while, but I just wanted to post here and let you know that even tho I suffer these days from morning to night and I'm unable to do a lot of what I used to be doing - I'm still thinking of you and your family, and of course of your aunt. I hope for her speedy recovery!

Please stay strong and please keep on smiling, even if it's very hard to do. I honestly believe that being positive plays a big part in recovery. I hope you can talk to your aunt and that she'll wake up and all will be as good as it used to be.

My love,

Fame

Fame,

I am so sorry to hear you're not well. I will definitely include you in my prayers. Please know you are thought of and wished well.

Please, take care.


TIS

Goombah, thank you. I will share your story with my cousin, as well - he was comforted in hearing personal accounts of how recovery is certainly possible.

Fame, I am so very sorry...it seems like the most undeserving people are often faced with such difficult problems, and it's hard to understand. Except to believe that it's a test of strength and faith, which God knows you'll be able to handle. I'll be praying for you, as well, asking that you and my aunt both recover in good health. Take care, my friend, and please keep us updated on how you are.

Gina,

Your aunt is in all of my prayers. May God bless and watch over her.

Fame:

I hope your own health situation improves. I am sorry to learn that you are going through a very difficult time. I will keep you in my thoughts & prayers.

Sorry to hear of this Gina, hope all is well.

Of course I will keep your family in my daily thoughts and prayers. I will also pray for the Doctor and Nurses who are tending to your Aunt. God speed my friend.

Gina -- will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. You may (or may not) know that I am with an organization called the American Stroke Foundation. I see people living with the effects of stroke everyday. I see miracles big and small everyday.

One thing they have taught me is to look for the small things (improvements)everyday.

One thing I have noticed is the power of family and caregivers, and your Aunt definitely has this going ofr her.

Hang in there and feel free to contact if needed.

PWA

Thank you, friends. Part, I do remember your posts about your work with the stroke foundation - thanks for writing the words of encouragement!

---

Everything had been about the same with my aunt - she's still unconscious, unfortunately. But they recently found that she had blood clots in her legs and in her lungs. They've inserted a filter to keep them from traveling from her legs, and they said the one in her lungs hasn't caused any trouble yet. They're still unsure why so many are continuing to form, but it could be something hereditary.

Today, they found that she has another clot in her brain, so she'll have surgery tomorrow at 7:30 AM for it. They have to go through the carotid vein, and they said it's risky - but our hope now is that the surgery goes well, and that she'll have a better chance of waking up sooner, once the clot is removed; they said that this clot might be why she's stayed unconscious thus far. So please keep her in your thoughts and prayers tonight and tomorrow especially - thanks so much.

I really do hope and pray everything goes well for your aunt, GG... it's a stressful time, I know (trust me)... Just hang in there!

Gi, thinking of you and your family. God bless and watch over you. Love and hugs coming your way.

I'm hoping, wishing, and praying for your aunt's safe recovery, Gi.

And for your safe recovery and return to the boards, as well, Fame.


x Much love!

She made it through the surgery, and while they weren't able to actually remove the clot, they gave her clot-breaking medicine through an IV (continually, so they had to sedate her to keep her still), and it's now broken down enough for the blood to flow. We were really excited to hear from my uncle that a nurse had said she was able to get my aunt to open her eyes! It must have been really quick and not where she focused on anything, but she asked her to open them, and my aunt responded...so that's definitely given us hope.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support - it means so much!

Hope is a wonderful thing, Gina, and being able to sense your joy will be a huge incentive for your aunt to recover.

Fame, I am so sorry to hear that. Please let us know what's going on.

Hope and prayer are great gifts. I will keep praying for your Aunt's recovery.

Gina,

I haven't been on the BB for many days and only just read this thread.

I'm so glad your aunt made it through the surgeries, and now we all pray that each day will bring even small improvements. The fact that your aunt responded and opened her eyes is a major thing, most definitely.

A friend had something similar happen last year (bleeding in the brain). His recovery has been slow, but very steady. My prayers are with you, you aunt, and your family and I sincerely hope we will continue to hear about your aunt's steady recovery.

Signor V.

Gina, every small step in the right direction is a good step. May this be the beginning of her full recovery! please keep on posting.

As for me...thank you so much guys for your support! I'm still pretty sick but at least it didn't get any worse since last time I was here. Still weak and at home, unable to work, but I'm moving around the house, I dont want to stay in bed all day. I'm waiting for scan results now, which should take a few more days. Thanks again everyone!

Keep us posted, Fame, and you, too, Gina! Best wishes!