Stand with Randy and Leah
Donation protected
Here's an update from my Mom - Leah Golden:
Famous scholar and philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”
May 17th, 2018 was a day that started my family on a hard journey.
That evening at 10:15pm, after working an 18-hour day, Randy suffered a severe stroke and brain bleed. We were told the first 72 hours were critical and he might not make it. Praise God, HE had other plans! That started us on this hard journey.
In the beginning, Randy recognized us but could barely communicate, and suffered severe cognitive deficits. He also lost strength and control of his right side. But that was the beginning of this journey, not the end.
Currently, as best as I can explain, Randy is improving every day. He can walk with a walker and is regaining strength little by little. It’s a slow process, but one with small victories that we believe will lead to greater ones. He has lost 46 pounds. The stroke has decreased his appetite and affected his taste buds. He doesn’t enjoy food, and it’s a struggle to get him to eat substantially. Three times a week a speech therapist comes to the house to work with Randy cognitively. It is also a slow process, but as Randy’s brain bleed dissipates and his brain rewires connections that were lost, he regains memory and abilities. Physical and occupational therapy come twice a week along with a nurse. All of these therapies working together are helping him to recover.
Through all of this, we see God stirring... we see meaning in the suffering. We don’t know what the next 3 months, 6 months, or even 12 months hold, but we know God has us. So many of you came to our aid and supported us with prayers, encouragements, meals, and financial donations. For your support and love we are profoundly grateful, and deeply touched!! We have never found ourselves in such a desperate predicament.
Without going into the details, we have been caught between a rock and a hard place. Randy can’t qualify for disability until 6 months from the date of his stroke, and then it could take another 6 months to go through the process. In order to take care of Randy, I had to file FMLA. Many of you have been so gracious, and I don’t take that lightly! Your grace, mercy, and kindness has sustained us and allowed me to care for Randy: a true gift!
Through all of this, my entire family has learned what true community is, and how God moves through His people to bring comfort, healing, and stability. Thank each of you for your sacrifice of love and devotion to our family!!!! It’s one of the most beautiful things we have ever experienced. May God bless each one of you for ministering to us through such a difficult time. And thank you for being a part of our journey to find meaning in the suffering.
______________
If you would still like to support my Mom and Dad, you can do still do so through this GoFundMe page! Like Mom said, thank you all for the prayers, encouragement, and support!
Famous scholar and philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”
May 17th, 2018 was a day that started my family on a hard journey.
That evening at 10:15pm, after working an 18-hour day, Randy suffered a severe stroke and brain bleed. We were told the first 72 hours were critical and he might not make it. Praise God, HE had other plans! That started us on this hard journey.
In the beginning, Randy recognized us but could barely communicate, and suffered severe cognitive deficits. He also lost strength and control of his right side. But that was the beginning of this journey, not the end.
Currently, as best as I can explain, Randy is improving every day. He can walk with a walker and is regaining strength little by little. It’s a slow process, but one with small victories that we believe will lead to greater ones. He has lost 46 pounds. The stroke has decreased his appetite and affected his taste buds. He doesn’t enjoy food, and it’s a struggle to get him to eat substantially. Three times a week a speech therapist comes to the house to work with Randy cognitively. It is also a slow process, but as Randy’s brain bleed dissipates and his brain rewires connections that were lost, he regains memory and abilities. Physical and occupational therapy come twice a week along with a nurse. All of these therapies working together are helping him to recover.
Through all of this, we see God stirring... we see meaning in the suffering. We don’t know what the next 3 months, 6 months, or even 12 months hold, but we know God has us. So many of you came to our aid and supported us with prayers, encouragements, meals, and financial donations. For your support and love we are profoundly grateful, and deeply touched!! We have never found ourselves in such a desperate predicament.
Without going into the details, we have been caught between a rock and a hard place. Randy can’t qualify for disability until 6 months from the date of his stroke, and then it could take another 6 months to go through the process. In order to take care of Randy, I had to file FMLA. Many of you have been so gracious, and I don’t take that lightly! Your grace, mercy, and kindness has sustained us and allowed me to care for Randy: a true gift!
Through all of this, my entire family has learned what true community is, and how God moves through His people to bring comfort, healing, and stability. Thank each of you for your sacrifice of love and devotion to our family!!!! It’s one of the most beautiful things we have ever experienced. May God bless each one of you for ministering to us through such a difficult time. And thank you for being a part of our journey to find meaning in the suffering.
______________
If you would still like to support my Mom and Dad, you can do still do so through this GoFundMe page! Like Mom said, thank you all for the prayers, encouragement, and support!
Organizer
Donovan Golden
Organizer
Fayetteville, AR