You Raised Me Up - Dedicated to my wonderful mom

It's been a long time since I had the desire to write anything on my blog. Since I lost my job in January, 2009 and then my mother's stroke in July of that same year, things have not been the same for me. My faith has been tested to the limit. I've always prayed and asked God to mold me and shape me to his likeness. I had no idea this is his way of doing so. Although he has given me trials to strenghten my faith he has never left me alone to deal with it.

My mom, after spending seven months in the hospital, is now in a nursing home. Although there has been some improvement in her comprehension, she still cannot eat, talk nor walk. I believe one day she will be able to do at least one of those things.

I would like to dedicate this song to my wonderful mom, "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban. http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1naver/www.utube.com/watch%3Fv%3D6VqR103wa1A. She is a very strong and courageous woman who loves the Lord. She has raised us, six girls, without a father. He died when we were very small.

Thanks mom, for everything. I love you.

Update on my mom after her stroke

It's been almost three months since my mom had a stroke. She is still in the hospital, waiting to go into a nursing home. She still cannot walk, talk (except for some mumbling sounds) nor eat. She recognizes me and other family members. Judging by the expressions on her face, she seem to understand when I tell her certain things. When I call her she would look at me, which means she understands me.

I've heard of people who have had strokes similar to the one my mom had and they were able to talk, eat and walk again. I was told by the doctor that my mom gets physical therapy twice a week, and they've tried to give her speech therapy but she is unable to follow direction.

It's a good thing that I live only five minutes away from the hospital. Because of that I've been visiting her every evening since she's been there.

Life is very unpredictable.

I miss my mom

Since my mom had a stroke four weeks ago I have not been doing much on my blog. There's so much going on in my life right now. As they say, when it rains it pours. Two of my sisters are here from NY and WV to be with her and for my moral support.

She has improved a little. She recognizes me and my sisters. She is still unable to talk, walk and swallow. She has a feeding tube in her stomach, which she tried to pull out once before. Because of that her hand has to be tied. It's hard to see my mom in that condition. I feel helpless. I managed to get her to smile a few times by fooling around with a little stuffed toy. She has become like a child again. 'Once a man, twice a child' is so true.

I hope and trust that with each passing day she will continue to improve. Although we've been told by the doctors that she will never return to what she was before.

We're trying to find a good nursing home to put her. That is something she's always been against. I grieve for her.

Having a stroke

A lot have been happening in my life since I've been here, and all at once. One of those things is, my mom had a massive stroke last week that affected the right side of her body. It was very scary. She is now in the ICU. Her prognosis does not look too good. She cannot walk, talk nor even swallow. She is sleeping most of the time. She does open her eyes once in a while. She has movement in her left arm and leg.

Here is a link with information on stroke www.heartandstroke.ca/stroke