Joy amidst some serious trials

Hi folks,
I used to be quite active here on the FHC forum, but I've been through some difficulties in the last year and haven't been around much. I know many of you from the forum and the GTG at Dennis', so I wanted to give a bit of an update, and to say that prayers and miracles still happen, and through it all, God is good:


I had a right cerebellar stroke on July 28, 2015, that caused deafness in my left ear, severe balance trouble and nasty vertigo. I was fortunate in that I recovered my hearing in a couple weeks, and the vertigo resolved and my balance recovered about 90 to 95% that fall, and I was able to return to work full time after several weeks.

I had two smaller strokes in early March, one again in the right cerebellum and a cerebral stroke at the very top of my head, which caused a return of the vertigo and loss of balance. Then around March 20 I started slurring my speech and had severe balance trouble, went to the ER and was diagnosed with another right cerebellar stroke that also affected the pons. On March 22 I had the most serious stroke, and it affected my basal brain stem area and the right cerebellum. My left arm and leg and the right side of my face were paralyzed, I had seriously slowed, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, no balance, and I became deaf in the right ear. I received two stents on March 24, one in the left vertebral artery and one in the basilar artery. If one knowsanything about the arterial supply to the brain and the use of stents in the brain, they know just how serious the blockages were; I had a 1 in 5 chance of not waking up from the procedure.

My recovery since then could be said to represent a small series of miracles. I recovered the use of my left arm and leg, the right facial paralysis resolved, I still talk a little bit slower and a little bit slurred compared to before the strokes, but I'm finally walking with just a cane and am permitted to drive again. And I'm still deaf in the right ear with numbness on the right side of my face.


But the real miracle is that I've never been happier or more joyful in my 50 years of life as I have since March. I don't know if the strokes destroyed the part of my brain responsible for being cranky, because parts of it look like Swiss cheese on the scans, or my life has just been changed so much, and this is simply a free gift from God.

In the hospital after the strokes, and during inpatient rehab, staff would often check on us, quizzically, because we were laughing and joking so much.A couple months ago my wife Sue, youngest son, 19yo Tim, and I were sitting around the dining room table, discussing the fact I've been so happy, joyful and silly since the strokes in March. I said maybe the strokes took out the crabbier parts of my brain, but offered philosophical and Faith based explanations - reliance on God's Providence, offering up the crosses for the Church, the world and the pope, etc.But Sue and Tim agreed - it's probably because I haven't been to work since early March! Of course, much laughter ensued, and this episode has been added to a growing list of joyful memories that have made up our lives since March.

Friends have said that we must be a really strong family to experience such mirth in the face of what we’ve been through; I don't know about strength, but God has given us ample opportunities to know joy and experience simple fun in thisongoing adventure.

Sue knows now when I need a good laugh. If I'm standing by my bed or sitting on its side, or in front of a recliner, and I'm being impatient or otherwise annoying, she just pushes me over or knocks me down. The first time she did it, I couldn’t believe it. I started laughing so much I couldn't breathe. I'm a big guy, and I used to be pretty strong at 6'2" and over 300lbs. My poor wife, at only 5'5", was always frustrated that she couldn't "beat" me at anything physical, and while sheand our children are very ticklish, I am not, at all.

Now she finally has me "beat," both physically and in the ability to reduce me to tears of uncontrollable laughter. My balance is still pretty bad, so I'm not hard to set off balance, and if she just gives me a bit of a shove, at the right time and in the right place, there's just nothing I can do but collapse in laughter, no matter how bad a mood I’ve been in.

Not long after I got out of the rehab hospital, I still needed a lot of help. One day she was helping me get dressed, and I made a simple comment. "You know, you're just like all the female staff at the rehab hospital. They just don't realize it's possible to pull up your pants too far when you're a guy." My poor wife is a teacher. She protested loudly that I should know she has no medical training and that she had no way of knowing these things. I retorted that women who did this for a living obviouslymust not know either! Then after a moment, we started laughing uncontrollably. It became a running joke, something she shared withothers in her mothers’ group, and something that inevitably she'd use to get me laughing again, quite often, when the need arose. For some odd reason, it seemed to come up when I was already standing, and laughing uncontrollably took away all my strength and balance when I could least afford it, so I had to hold on to her more than ever.


I’m finally able to be independent and drive, but our finances hit bottom this week. We're broke. God already knew our need,and by a rapid series of “coincidences” my wife learned of an opportunity to teach first grade in a local Catholic elementary school. We homeschooled for 17 years, and Sue has not been in a classroom for 25 years. In all that time, her dream and prayer, if she ever returned to teaching, was that she'd be able to teach first grade; she starts as a first grade teacher in a week. It doesn't pay much, but God fulfilled her dream in a way we never imagined. I can no longer be a Podiatrist and provide for my family, but now my wife gets to fulfill her dream.

During the recovery, I wasn't to be left alone at all, so my wife and I had a five month "vacation" where we were together all the time. Despite the crosses and the work to recover, it's been an incredible chance to spend time together, experience true joy and grow closer than ever before. As I said, we’ve experienced many blessings in the midst of tears and fears and pain. As my oldest son in the Norbertines religious order studying to be a priest said, it's been like a big cross, but perfectly and delicately wrapped in the softest way.

God's Providence has been so incredibly perfect and tender through all of this that it is breathtaking.

Keep the Faith!
Brian



I was still in a wheelchair when I came out to Dennis' GTG in April, then I graduated to a walker, then the two forearm crutches above, and now I'm walking with just one cane - and I'm 50lbs lighter. God is good!

 

Brian it's good to hear from you. It's amazing that with all the struggles you've had recently that you can have such a positive outcome and outlook on life! I bet my wife wouldn't mind if the grumpy part of my brain had a little damage haha. God bless you and your family.

 

I was close to tears and had to pause a few times while reading this to my wife Brian. We have an amazing Savior that knows all of our heart, hurts, wants and needs.

Praying for the Lord's continued strength and provision in your lives.

 

Brian,

That is a wonderful, well written, uplifting story and a testimony to how God our savior works in many ways we don't often expect. Our thoughts and prayers are with you for the few challenges that remain and praises for all the positives blessings that already occurred!

Maybe writing a book or being doing public speaking might be a future career path?

 

What a great and positive story Brian. It's amazing just how positive you are in spite of all you've gone through.

This place collects all sorts of positive and nice people.

I agree with Fanatical1 , you have a great way with words. You should try writing a book.

 

BrianK so glad to hear you are doing well. We all missed you at the pa gtg but know you were there in spirit. Keep up the fight and good spirits. If you need anything just remember we are all family here. God bless

 

Brian...my heart goes out to you sir. Thanks for sharing your story that I'm sure is tough to revisit at times.

Glad to see you're back here sharing with friends. I'm sure I can say for others we are all pulling for you!

 

Thanks to everyone here.

My wife and children want me to spend my free time writing, hopefully a book or novels. I've done a bit of writing; in addition to being a Podiatrist I've written for a number of Catholic periodicals and websites. I've also done a bit of speaking on pro-life issues and I've been the guest on some national Catholic radio networks prior to the strokes.

This is part of a larger story that will be published soon on a Catholic website, hopefully. I'm praying to know what God wants me to do next.

 

Praise God for the miracles in your life! He works through all circumstances to refine us and mold us to his image and it is a great breath of fresh air to hear a testimony like this! May God continue to bless you and your family and give you continued strength for the road ahead! You will be in out thoughts and prayers!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

I really wanted to go to the PA GTG, but I'm still getting hit by intermittent fatigue/exhaustion, which is common with this type of stroke, so I had to bow out for that one. I must have been pretty worn out that day, because I remember thinking, "What's the point, I'll just be in the way..." I dont usually think that way since the strokes, but when I'm exhausted my mind can be illogical/unreasonable. I wish I had gone.

 

It's dusty in here. Very dusty....yeah, that's it.

Brian, very moving. Good to see you back and doing so well!

 

Well spoken Brian....Stay strong and good luck for a continued recovery!

 

Great to see you back here Brian! Keep up the positive attitude and hard work through the recovery. Thinking of you and yours.

 

Quite a story BrianK . I'm glad things medically and spiritually have worked out in your favor. After reading your experiences with the strokes, it's a wonder your still with us.

I know we have spoken a bunch of times away from FHC, mostly talking about WS and you being a beta tester. I'm glad with all of that that I was able to get to know you a little bit more on a personal level. Thanks for being on this forum with us, I (and we) appreciate you.

 

Brian, glad to hear your on the upswing. GOD has a plan for you..............continuing to send up prayers for your on going improvement....

 

Brian, you are truly an inspirational person. Such a testimony of faith and reliance on the Lord. You've certainly had your hardships, but understand all that is good in your life. May your journey help others to overcome their hardships and trials in this life and guide them toward sprituality. May God continue to bless you and your family.

Al

 

I am almost at a loss for words. I am very glad that you are pulling through this and I hope you have a steady recovery. God bless you and your family. Truly an amazing turn of events.