A Stroke of Luck

Whew.

Did you hear that?

That sound was my whole body exhaling.

Truth be told I’ve been holding my breath for the last five years.

We’ve reached a milestone around here and it’s reason for us to celebrate.

My husband had a stroke at the age of 34 exactly five years ago.

Whenever he talks to doctors they ask, “So when exactly did you have this stroke?”

My husband hums and haws and mentions something about late 2008.

I allow him to finish and then say, “It was August 2, 2007. It happened around  9:30 AM. I was wearing a black skirt and green skirt when I got the call. I had a two year old and a five year old at the time.”

My mom noted about the upcoming anniversary, “It’s just gone by so fast.”

No, it hasn’t.

For me, I remember everything – from getting the call, calling the babysitter, crying to my dad on the phone, to waiting around for more tests and doctors visits.

In the last five years we have visited more “ologists” than I care to remember.

With every migraine headache Derek had, I tried not to panic.

But…now that my husband has reached the five year milestone I feel like I can breathe a little easier.

We’re here today with big smiles on our face and feelings of being tremendously lucky. We are thankful for every day we have together and feel tremendously blessed in our life.

10 thoughts on “A Stroke of Luck

  1. YAY Derek!!! Congratulations!! đŸ™‚ But I don’t get the 5 year milestone. Did the docs say that once you hit the five year anniversary there is less chance of it happening again? Beautiful picture, by the way.

  2. Yes, once you reach 5 years without another episode the chances of having another stroke drop dramatically.

  3. Whoa – scary!!! Glad you can take the anxiety down a notch now. Things like that sure do make you appreciative, eh?!

  4. Oh Jen. I’m so so glad. It makes me teary to remember what a close call you all had.

  5. Glad the odds are much more in Derek’s favor now, our family would not be the same without him!

  6. Wow I remember that day too, when you called me and I thought it was about one of the boys….it was, just not the kids. Very scary day. So glad it has been 5 years!

  7. I think what I learned from watching from the sidelines is how much you and Derek love each other. Dad and I love you both so very much.

  8. Love this post and this milestone. God is good, and I am so happy for you guys that you’re at a point where you can look back and be thankful. Hope to see you soon.

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