My mom--update

[sinead]

Well, it seems that I need more prayers, or my mom does, anyway.

The MRI revealed that she had a stroke. It was a minor one and it's in a different part of the brain (at the back, I think), so she doesn't have some of the signs that most people associate with strokes. The doctor says that the prognosis is very good and that she's not exhibiting any signs of permanent damage. He was surprised that it was a stroke, Dad says.

They're doing an echocardiogram tomorrow to make sure there aren't any other bit floating around in her blood waiting to cause problems, and they've started her on aspirin and are considering coumadin to try to prevent it from happening again. She's on meds to help the dizziness subside and says that she's doing better.

I'm a wreck, obviously, and nobody wants me to go there. I've agreed to wait until the morning, at least, when DH can drive me. His parents are going to meet us and take Maggie. I just need to lay my own eyes on her and see for myself, you know? Hearing her voice really helped, but I need to see her for myself.

Anyway, everybody keeps saying that it's a good thing--that they know what the problem is now and that they (my family) are relieved that they know the problem and how to attack it. I'm just still in shock.

Can you shoot a few prayers our way, please? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks, chickies. love you guys.

[RachelS]

i'll keep you and your family in my prayers! **HUGS**

[RachelS]

oh and if you need anything while you're around, let me know. i'll give you my cell # or something.

[sinead]

thanks, rachel. i think it'll be a quick visit. i just need to see her and the rest of my family is freaking out about me being away from my ob. dorks. my sister is threatening to call my ob herself. lucky for me, she doesn't know his name. lol

[hollyrh]

Sinead,
I will be thinking of your Mom and hope she is okay. You better take care of yourself, too!

[Hom74]

{{{HUGS}}}. Will be praying for her and for you. It's always scary when you hear the word 'stroke', but at least it was minor....so minor they weren't even sure she had one until the test results. Now they will be looking over her extra careful.

[scrapsandsass]

Your family is in our prayers. It is a relief that they know what is going on and that it wasn't worse! I can totally understand you wanting to see for yourself. Just don't get yourself too stressed out!

[jennamelia]

Oh Sinead- we will definitely say some prayers for you and your sweet mom. I hope the next week goes as well as possible. Take care.

[Rynonut Mom]

Thinking of you and her and praying too! Hugs Sinead!!!

[rh_scrapbooker]

*HUGS* to you and your family! Prayers and positive thoughts going your way!

Rachel

[VeraLim]

Prayers to you!! (hugs)

[jpysgrl]

Oh my... Hugs and prayers coming your way. Hang in there.

[sinead]

Gosh, girlies, can I tell you how much I love you guys?! You're so sweet! Thank you for all of the prayers and love. I'm in a much better place about this right now. At least we know what the problem is and can come at it with a full scale attack. I'm going to get to see her tomorrow, so that makes me happy.

Thanks again--you're all the besT!

[MarshaZepeda]

:( awww... Sinead! Talk about timing eh? Hope everything goes well with your trip (if you go) and if you don't, prayers that He will give you peace and your whole family strength and your mom HEALING! :60:

[Charla]

Sinead, I'm praying for you and for her (and your dad).

MIL had a mild stroke out of the blue when I was pregnant; it was scary when we realized what had happened (after the fact) but she's perfectly fine and has no lasting problems from it. So, as scary as they sound, it's comforting to know that it's something that can be attacked and prevented from happening again...

Meanwhile, I'll keep you in my prayers. Try to take it easy (I know that will be easier to do once you've seen her)...
:)

[d2vasquez]

Awwww Sinead.....i am soo sorry to hear all of this but glad that some kind of diagnosis was done......please take care......you and your family will definitely be in my heart and prayers....

[KarenLewis]

You and your family will be in my thoughts. Please take care of yourself, I do understand how important it is to you that you see her.

[SarahJ]

You and your family are in my prayers! take care!

[Valgal]

A stroke? Well, that would explain a lot. Isn't it awesome what they can find out by a few tests?

I know it's upsetting, but it's VERY GOOD that they found what it was so they can treat it. THat alone should put you at ease. BUT, at this stage of your pregnancy your emotions are all over the place, right?

Everything is going to be ok!!!! I wish you wouldn't travel now. BE CAREFUL! And shouldn't you take your hospital bag with you JUST in case???

[chloe]

Sending your mom, you, your baby and the whole family looooooots of positive - healthy vibes! Take care of yourself, chickie!

[sinead]

You guys are so sweet! Thanks so much!!!

Another update. :regular_s

This morning, when I was feeling much cooler and more calm about things, DH drove me up to my hometown. My in-laws met us there and took Maggie for a few hours so that I could go see my mom and DH could go back to work for some meetings. I was so relieved to see my mom!! She had an echocardiogram this morning (results not til tomorrow, probably) and occupational and physical therapy before I got there, so she was exhasuted, but she was sitting up in a chair! That's the first time she's been able to sit up since Saturday morning! The occupational therapist had her touching her toes, and the physical therapist had her up and walking with a walker. They thought that she'd have to relearn much more about walking because of balance issues, but were really pleased that she barely even bobbled when she turned (and that was because she was dizzy).

It turns out that it was a series of TSAs--mini strokes--that struck the cerebellum area, the old part of the brain. She has NO outward symptoms of having had a stroke, though. There's no speech slurring and no slackness in features or numbness on one side or the other. It's just a balance issue and still the dizziness, which is apparently also connected to the inner ear. The docs were all suprised to see the evidence of a stroke on the MRI because it has disguised itself so well as vertigo (that's the word they all used, "disguised"). The good news is that there's no permanent damage that they can see as of yet.

They are starting her on aspirin therapy (and might end up doing more, depending on the results of the echo) and rehab, and they are VERY optimistic about her recovery. Now that I've seen her and talked to her and hugged her, I feel much more comfortable and happy. More good news--she hasn't had a cigarette since Friday, so this whole thing should be the end of her smoking, too. (whooohooo!!!) Odds are that she won't be able to come down here when the baby is born (probably even to visit), but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. The important part is that she's ok and that she's improving.

Thank you all so so much for your prayers and positive thoughts. They mean the world to me. You know, my family moved to the US when I was 3 and has lived in the same small town for 31 years. Even though we may not have many blood relatives nearby, there's no doubt that there's a huge network of family support around us. I feel that even more because I've got this terrific network of support here. So thank you all again. You're all angels and have my eternal thanks!!

[jpysgrl]

I am glad to hear that things are not too serious. But still, you and your family will be in my thoughts. I bet you had a load lifted off you when you got to see her.
Is baby ready for her big entrance yet?

[Valgal]

What great news!!!

[pbumbaca]

I'm ringing in here late as I didn't get around the board much this week but I'm sending good thoughts that your mom keeps on improving and I was so happy to hear that she was doing well when I read thru the thread Sinead. You take care of yourself and try not to stress too much!

[nbeaudreau]

Gosh, Sinead. I don't know how I missed this one yesterday. So sorry to hear what happened to your mom, but so glad to hear that she's alright. (((HUGS))) I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!

[~Shawna~]

Aw Sinead I am so glad to hear that your Mom's prognosis is positive and that she's getting better even if its slowly but surely. I know how scary it must have been to be away from her while this was going on, but I'm sure getting to go for a visit has really helped your peace of mind! I will continue to keep you & your family in my thoughts and prayers.

[ajoyfulheart]

Wow Sinead...I'm just now reading all of this...sorry for my lateness!! I'm SO happy for you and your family that your mom is doing so well, considering what all her body has been through! That is amazing that she isn't really showing outward signs of strokes...the human body is such a weird and amazing thing... I'm glad you got to go and see her, and that you didn't end up having your baby early!! LOL BIG (((HUGS))) to you hun...thanks for the updates! :)

[Nonnie917]

Ah Sinead, I am so glad to hear that things are better with your mom. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

[sinead]

Thanks again, everyone. You're all so sweet. I think we're really starting to see just how long this road is going to be, but THANK GOD that we have a road to follow. That's what I keep reminding myself...every day is a little baby step towards full recovery.

[KimberlyGiarrusso]

I missed this thread, sorry Sinead. It's great that she is doing better and that she is okay. HUGS!

[chloe]

Yay, happy for the good news and happy that you can finally relax a little bit about her health. I'll keep up with healthy vibes to her, to you and the baby too... a 3-generational-healthy-vibe!