Is it the water?

On November 21st Monday, my best friend and neighbor, Cindy, was admitted into the hospital with a horrible migraine. Later we learned she had a blood clot in her brain. She had a stroke. Her right side of her body is very weak and numb. This horrible news came as a huge shock. She would be spending Thanksgiving in the hospital. She was in very serious condition. As the doctors were trying to find the right treatment for her, her family and friends begin to pray. My heart ached for her and for her husband and son. They stayed by her side along with her Mother and Father. On Wednesday I could hardly concentrate on work and left to go see her. She could barely talk. The light was unbearable for her and the pain was so bad that she couldn't stand or hardly move.The room had to be kept dark. I gave her a hug and kissed her cheek. She was scared and didn't really believe what was happening. Very sad. There was no stopping the tears. I brought her a prayer angle to remind her of all the people praying for her. I didn't stay real long as she couldn't have a lot of visitors. I left without leaving the banner my brother and I made for her because she was going to be moved. I had one of my favorite bible verses on it. 2 Timothy 1:7. Little did I know I would be soon relying on that verse again myself.
It was very difficult to continue to enjoy Thanksgiving  with her there, but I managed. My son and daughter in law told us at Thanksgiving that we were going to be Grandparents. Wow. So exciting. My whole family was there to share the joy. I wanted so bad to tell my friend and walking partner. I didn't tell a sole. I only wanted to tell Cindy. I couldn't. I couldn't even tell Rich. (Cindy's husband).
There were so many people praying for Cindy. It is so important for family and friends to pray when someone is ill. The people closest to the ill person depend on those prayers because you can't focus on praying for your loved one you're just too distraught. I went up to see her on Friday the 25th and sat with her for a bit while her hubby ran some errands. She slept most of the time still in pain. Not as bad, but still painful. Went home to start my house work. A couple hours later my husband came walking through the door with a grave look on his face. "What's wrong" I asked. He said his whole right side of his body was numb. I took him to the hospital right away where they quickly diagnosed a stroke. What? This can't be real. I felt like I was in a bad dream. What do I do? Who do I call? I called my brother and asked him to contact the rest of the family and ask them to pray for Tom. His Mom and sister showed up after a little while. I stepped out side the room to do what I knew was going to be so difficult. I texted Rich. I asked him not to tell Cindy. Within minutes Cindy's Mom and Dad and Derek (Cindy and Rich's son) were down in the er. What great people. They hugged us and told us they would be praying for us and not to worry that everything would be ok. Just like parents do. They treated us just like family. They were so sweet. They brought the prayer angle down with them. She sat by Tom's bed the whole time to remind him of all the prayers. I didn't have anyone from my side of the fam there with me. There's just so many I told them not to come. What was I thinking. My phone was blowing up with texts. Rich came down after his in-laws went back up to sit with Cindy. I couldn't go see Cindy because she would know something happened. Didn't want her to worry about us. I went home and came back the next day with my 2 son's and stayed most of the day. The doctors said they were going to check Tom's heart and if it came out good, he can go home. It was and he did. Rich, Derek, Norma and Gary visited us throughout the day. That's family. While the kids were at the cafe Rich told Cindy what happened with us. Jeremy, Mason and I went up to see her. Didn't get to talk to her as she had another visitor and there was only suppose to be 2 in her icu room at a time. We had 5. She did manage a smile to me and voiced that she wanted her prayer angle back if Tom was going to get to go home lol.
Today is Dec. 3. Tom is doing well. He is walking without his cane and has feeling in 2 of his fingers on his right side and his right foot is not so numb. Slow but sure. Cindy is doing great and should be coming home tomorrow.  We have a long road ahead of us but we have each other, family and friends that care. It's just overwhelming how thoughtful family and friends can be. Especially my special friends and neighbors. God is good, all the time.

2 Tim. 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.