Our family would like to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers, and words of encouragement after my Dad’s stroke on April 8th. I know in my heart that he’s alive today because of the power of prayer.
Doctors expect him to have a successful recovery. Please, continue to keep him in your prayers as he begins a difficult rehabilitation process. I would ask that you pray for my Mom, my brother, and his wife; they are Dad’s immediate support network and will need an extra portion of strength and encouragement as they assist Dad throughout his recovery.
Here’s a little background on what we believe happened – Dad likely had a stroke while he was working out at the gym on Friday. He had a particularly grueling workout and recalls the instant the stroke occurred. All the symptoms of suffering a stroke were present, but unrecognized, so instead of seeking immediate medical assistance he went home to sleep it off. Almost 18-hrs had past before he walked through the emergency room door, shortly thereafter he was on a life-flight to Tucson.
Many of you know that he’s been preparing for over a year for our Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage, a 500+ mile trek across France and Spain this summer. Last year he walked 2,000+ miles getting ready for the trek. He had also joined a gym and started a new, and strenuous physical fitness regime. My Dad is a healthy, strong, and fit man. I can honestly say that I know he’s more physically prepared for the trek than I am. Unfortunately, the stroke will prevent him from accompanying me this year. I can’t begin to see God’s reason for Dad’s stroke; we would’ve been trampled and gored at the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona in July after the Camino. Who knows…
☆ Moral of the story: Consult your physician before starting a new exercise regiment; train, but avoid over-training; learn to recognize the symptoms of potentially life threatening medical conditions; love your family; and above all… pray.
What about you… has a medical emergency touched the life of you or a loved one? What did your do to rally yourself, cope, or cling to during this difficult time?
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