We will begin this update with the frequently asked questions.  The most frequently asked question is “How is Arla?”  That as simple to answer as, what is the meaning of life? It also is a question that will elicit a different response from a different family member, and it depends on who is asking the question.  How much does the person asking really know about Arla’s current state of health, how often have they visited Arla, or how much have they been in contact with the family?

So here are other frequently asked questions (FAQs) that are easier to answer and may give the readers of this blog some insight into the reality of how Arla is doing?

FAQ:  Did Arla have a stroke or a heart attack?  Answer:  She had both.  On Aug 28, she suffered a mild heart attack and was treated via catheterization to try to open a blocked arteries.  It was also determined at that time that she had atrial fibrillation, which is an irregular rhythm of the heart which will cause blood clots to form.  At that time, Arla was given IV blood thinners.  On the morning of Aug 29, Arla had a stroke on the left side of the brain caused by a massive blood clot.  Since she was already on blood thinners, the only option for potential intervention was a catheterization to try to remove the clot in the brain.  The attempt was not totally successful, but the damage to the brain was not to the extent to affect respiration or consciousness.  Arla always breathed on her own and was aware of the people around her.

FAQ: Can Arla get out of bed by herself?  Answer: No, Arla is unable to get from a seated to standing position by herself.  She is unable to get from a prone position to an upright seated position alone.  Basically, Arla cannot move herself from bed to chair or back.

FAQ: Is Arla paralyzed?  Answer:  She does have paralysis on her right side.  She has no voluntary movement in her right arm and has minimal movement in the right leg.  Her left side is strong and she is able to move that side of her body.  She is aware of her right arm and leg, sometimes feeling pain or discomfort on that side.  The right side of her face is affected but her expressions and smile are very much the Arla we all know.

FAQ:  I hear Arla is talking more.  Is that correct?  Answer:  Arla says words from time to time, but she is not able to express her needs with words.  Currently, the therapists are working more on identification of pictures and words to help Arla find ways to clearly communicate her needs.  She has gotten much better at answering yes/no questions.   She is able to spell words in therapy using letter tiles and is working on a little writing.  Writing is tough when you were right handed and now have to do it with your left hand.

FAQ:  I thought Arla was eating.  Why does she still have her feeding tube?  Answer:  Arla is eating, but she is not eating enough to sustain her caloric needs.  Not yet, at least.  The feedings via the tube only happen overnight.  In addition to the caloric needs, the feeding tube is used to get her the amount of liquids she needs each day.  Since Arla has a bladder catheter, it is very important that she get enough fluid to flush bacteria away and prevent urinary tract infections.  Arla can drink thickened liquids, but she is not terribly fond of them.  Imagine drinking thick water.  It seems odd but the hardest thing for a stroke patient to swallow successfully is water.  Water is too thin and can easily be aspirated.

FAQ:  Is Arla still doing therapy?  Answer:  Yes.  She has physical, occupational, and speech therapy almost every day.  The therapy is moderate in intensity.  She is still making very slow progress and will continue with therapy until she no longer makes improvements.

FAQ:  Is Arla home yet?  How long until Arla can come home?  Answer:  Arla is still at Vancrest Rehab.   The answer is unknown about when she could come home.  No two strokes are the same.  And no two stroke patients recover the same.  The only thing common about all strokes is that they all suck (or stink, if suck is too strong for the readers).  Strokes change everything.  Some parts of life return; some parts of life come back only a little differently; some things are gone forever; and some new blessings occur. For a long while, Arla will remain at Vancrest.

FAQ:  Does she come home for visits?  Answer:  It would be very difficult to transfer Arla from the wheelchair to the car at this point.  And to be honest, if the doctor would allow it, such a trip would be exhausting for all involved which would probably outweigh the benefits of such a visit.

FAQ:  How is Harold doing?  Answer:  He is learning to adapt to this new way of life.  His world has been turned upside down.  One would think that Harold Allen could do anything, but he was very dependent on Arla.  Harold is with Arla everyday, all day.  He is there to assist and learn.  In many ways that is good, but in some ways, it is not so helpful.  Harold has made Arla dependent on him.  This is not always helping Arla.  Harold is also an eternal pessimist.  It is becoming hard to get him to see the improvements Arla makes and take life as it comes.  He is a worrier and can see the worst in all situations.   He constantly revisits that which he understands and would rather worry about something than take action or ask for help.  The children are spending more time intervening on his behalf and Arla’s behalf.  On some days, the uncertainty of the future is more than Harold can handle.

So back to the original FAQ:  How is Arla doing?  Answer:  Her health is actually very good.  She had a massive stroke, but her health is good.  She knows what is going on and enjoys life.  Progress is slow, but she has settled into a routine at Vancrest.

The Allen family is very blessed.  We have learned much about the love of God and the power of our Father to heal and bless.  We are still all here to end the year 2011.  Our matriarch is still with us.  God made that possible.  He is also teaching us to lean on Him and not try to do IT all ourselves.  We will have much to accomplish in 2012, but the struggle is not over.  Tough decisions and changes are to come.  Please continue to pray for Arla and Harold.

When one of us begins to feel stressed or overwhelmed, we remember a few things.

1. We got out of bed by ourselves today.  No one had to help us get up.

2.  We went into the bathroom alone and were able to take care of using the bathroom by ourselves.

3.  We moved freely about our environment today, drove to the locations of our choice, moved from room to room in our house.

4.  We called people on the phone and spoke with them today.

5.  We uttered the words  I Love You  or Praise God.

If you did any of these things today, thank God for your blessings.