"Everything can change in the blink of an eye."
No words had ever rang so true to me before this past Monday when time stood still and everything really did change. It was a typical Monday, I was on my dinner break at work when unexpectedly I received a call from my little sister Elise- frantic- sobbing- distressed- as I tried to decipher what was wrong with her I was finally able to make out that something had happened with mom and she was in the hospital.

I immediately called my moms phone. Her step son Eric picked up the phone and was forced to be the bearer of bad news- Our Mom  had suffered a sudden and massive stroke while at the hospital providing care and support for my step father who was being admitted that day to have surgery.

I didn't have much more information than that. I finished my shift and drove an hour to the hospital.

I remember feeling numb, like I was watching it all from someplace else. Not knowing what to expect I made my way through the lobby and up to the room where my mom was. A sense of deep sorrow washed over me as I entered her room, she was almost unrecognizable.
There were wires hooked up to her, staples in her head where they had drilled a hole to alleviate some of the pressure,  respirators breathing for her, a feeding tube down her throat, I.V.s and all sorts of beeping machines and monitors keeping  her alive.

A far cry from the dark haired beauty full of energy and life. I went to her side and simply held her hand hoping in some small way she knew I was there and would just hold on.  I prayed that this was not her time, there is still so much life for her to live. Still so much time to be with her grandchildren, so many more years of guidance and support for us all.

After gathering as much information as I could, I found out a few positive developments, by having the stroke at the hospital she was able to get immediate care and that would make a huge difference in her recovery. If she had not been at the hospital, I'd probably be writing a eulogy. The doctors induced a coma. They had to drill a hole in her skull during an emergency procedure and implant a tube in the left side of her brain to relieve the pressure, bleeding, and fluids. SImce then  she has had some response to touch.

Our family rallied around each other and
showed their support immediately. 

I am especially grateful for my Uncle Mike and Aunt Rachel for flying down and  using their medical skills, abilities, and knowledge to make sure my mom gets the best help that can be afforded to her. It has given
everyone in the family I've spoken to a great sense of peace and security to know that you are both helping. I love you guys very much  and forever indebted to you for your generosity to me and my family.

Many people have asked what they could do. Not knowing if she would live or not I said pray.
Now understanding that she hasn't been at her job long enough to qualify for short or long term disability, it seems money will be an enormous issue for them.

My mom has always been selfless with my sister and I as a single mother. She's given whatever she could or could not to her friends or family. She was a nurse that helped many people for many years. Her selflessness ultimately caught up with her for neglecting her own health and needs.  

I know there are many people that she has touched. If you are one of those people and would like  to do something for her, please send her a message of love and support.  

If I have done something for you and you've ever felt like you wanted to do something for me, doing it on behalf of my mom would mean more to me than anything in this world.

If you know me, you know I will never ask  anybody for anything and neither would my mom. We are givers and that's why we always manage to find a way when life
is difficult. I don't expect anything, but appreciate anything that is done.

Our family has never forgotten a good deed and rarely ask others for help, this is one of those rare times where we need some angels watch over our mom.

 Please share to anyone you feel would want to wish her well and help in any way. Thank you for taking the time to read about my mom and God Bless !!!