Janeen (Arla’s middle child and youngest daughter) wrote on Facebook today,  “Mom has proven to be unpredictable in her recovery. She has been moved from the Critical ICU to the other side of the ICU unit. The initial stroke has weakened her left side and there has not been much movement on the right side. She is able to understand what we are saying to her and is responding with smiles. Nobody (not even the most experienced medical professionals) can really predict how much Mom will or will not recover. No matter what you are told, stroke recovery is very unpredictable and varies with each individual. We have gone from taking one minute to next minute to taking one hour to the next hour. With round the clock prayers, we are now trying to take one day at time. We take joy in each moment of progress, and know that there is always room for hope!!”

The words always and never are SO LIMITING.  But when a medical professional uses them, they can be devastating and control your thoughts and emotions.  Sadly, today the neurologist told Harold  that Arla would never……… and then the list began.  Also, sadly, neither Janeen nor Mary (Arla’s oldest child) was present as the neurologist used this word with their dad. How a neurologist would know this without even spending more than a few moments with Arla is beyond understanding.  A neurologist who also told Harold that Arla was not following simple commands.  THIS IS NOT AT ALL TRUE. Arla is following simple commands.  Today, after the physical therapist told Arla that they were going to sit her on the side of the bed, he told her she would have to help.  Once, they got her unhooked from all the tubes and wires, they lowered the bed rail and began to lift Arla from behind into a seated position.  She grabbed onto the upper rail with her left hand and swung her left leg out of the bed.    Now don’t tell us she cannot follow simple commands.   Later in the session, she was not wanting to touch her nose.  She was tired, but after they lay her down, she reached up and adjusted her glasses.  Mary said to  the therapist, “Did you see that?”  Indeed, he had.

Here is the reality of her condition:  1.  She is in atrial fibrillation.  2.  There was a major stroke on the left side of her brain.  3.  She cannot move her right side.  It is unclear if she can feel on that side.  4.  She cannot speak but is smiling and today began trying to stick out her tongue.  5.  She recognizes voices and turns her head and attempts to adjust her left shoulder to get a better look.  6. She seems to have limited vision in the right eye.  7.  She is receiving nourishment through a feeding tube.  8. When alert, she is really wanting to communicate.  We have had some success with yes/no questions and hand squeezing.  9.  She is only 4 days into her recovery.  NEVER GIVE UP HOPE!

Pray that Harold may learn to seek answers before allowing hope to fade.  Remember folks, with God all things are possible.  Arla believes that!!!!!

There is one context in which the word NEVER is not limiting, but rather uplifting and solace giving… God is ALWAYS with us.  God will NEVER leave us.