Our World Turned Upside Down Yesterday
Who would of thought? My 49 year old wife attempted to get up Sunday morning and fell on the floor hitting her head and unable to move herself. This was around 7:30 am. After two ambulance trips, two hospital emergency rooms, a series of CT Scans … the word came: Kathy had suffered a major stroke. Her left side is paralyzed. The questions began to flow. How could this happen to a healthy, active, strong 49 year old woman? What is going to happen to her now? Will she ever receive movement and feeling back? And will she be soon as she once was? So, what actually did this to her?
On Monday morning, her Neurologist explained the MRI scan done midday Sunday revealed her carotid artery had torn causing the stroke. 
Her first night of care at Dartmouth (NH) Medical Center was mostly relaxing as was her first full day. She had more tests … ultra sounds of the carotid vains and another CT Scan that wasn’t complete due to some muscle spasms she was encountering. After spend mostly every moment with the girl of my dreams for over 31 years, I had to return home to Rumney. I needed to connect with our two sons and grandson. I also needed a good hot shower and change of clothes. Kat, in turn was wanting her glasses, books and other things so the hour trip leaving my baby behind was a necessary one.
When I got home, I told the boys of God’s goodness to us and how His Word was our strength and power. I told them of their Mom’s faith and trust in God to restore her to health. Of the nearly two dozen visitors she had on Sunday and Monday, many prayed, encouraged, shared life stories and even sang with her and I! The Family of Christ are absolutely amazing. We are blessed, encouraged, strengthened and lifted above our circumstances because of “Christ, our Hope of Glory”!
This is just the beginning of understanding of Kat and Mike’s Life Journey together … the A.S. Edition (After Stroke). So stay tuned!
May 1, 2007 at 11:51 am
Dear Mike and Kathy, I ws shocked to hear of Kathy’s stroke but I know first hand that God is in control. I know he never gave up on me all through Charlie’s illness and continues to hold us in His arms. I will certainly pray for all of you. Love in Christ, Barbara
May 1, 2007 at 11:59 am
Dear Kathy,
We love you and are praying for you. Keep looking to our Father in Heaven for His strength and care.
Love,
Tom, Kelsey, Michelle, Kirsten, and Daniel
May 1, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Hi Mike and Kathy, Sue and I will certainly be praying for all of you during this crisis time in your lives. Just teaching thru 1 Peter this year and the concept of “unjust suffering” comes to mind in some respect. We know that our God is faithful, He has a purpose that will no doubt coincide with His plan for our good and His ultimate glory in all this. Being a young gal, Kathy has her health in her favor, and of course, her “spunky” personality.
Praying for YOU Mike, as I know what it is like when those we love are laid aside, and not only the new added weight of concern and care and fear of the unknown is added to our burden, but as Paul said, “in addition to all this, the daily concern for the church.”
All our love,
Mike for all.
May 1, 2007 at 1:42 pm
Thanks for setting this up – a great way to communicate! We are praying for you guys!
May 1, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Hi Mike and Family,
You and Kathy and ALL the family have been in my prayers many times in the days and nights since Sunday morning.
I KNOW that God is our Sufficiency in times like these.
Please gently but firmly give her a hug for me.
In HIS Loving Care, Dick
May 1, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Mike & family,
Just want you to know that the Hope Community Chapel (Frankln, NH) is praying for you.
GAT
May 1, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Dear Mike and Kathy,
My heart and prayers are with you.
My words are insufficient, but God’s grace isn’t.
Your Washington Bible College Friend of 1973-77.
Tom Harris
May 1, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Be sure to know that The Gold’s heard about this on Sunday from concerned Rumney people and have been in our prayers ever since – Becky making sure we didn’t forget last night. We know that God is all present and we are praying for extra comfort and strength in recovery.
Maryann for the Golds
May 1, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Dear Mike and Kathy and family,
We too are praying for you. Our renewed and recent contact by phone and emails have been a source of refreshment and encouragement to weary pilgrims. Your ministry is a cup of cool water to thirsty souls.
More than once you and Kathy have been there to encourage our bereaved hearts. And the Lord Jesus Christ is still using His beloved servants, Mike and Kathy.
In these hours of darkness and despair He is there, His promise is true,
He will never leave you nor forsake you…
His Grace is sufficient for the need of this hour…
We are and will continue to cry out for you and your beloved.
We love you and Kathy like a brother and sister.
In Christ,
Bob and Donna Altland
May 1, 2007 at 8:27 pm
We were so shocked to hear the news just hours after sitting around the table laughing and joking with Aunt Kath.
In church we just started a series on praying and faith. What a challenging way to enter into such a teaching. We will be praying with expectation for God’s hand to be manifest and His Kingdom glorified as He attends to your emotional, physical, and spiritual needs during this unexpected event.
Love y’all.
Jamie & Leasha
May 1, 2007 at 11:40 pm
You are all in our prayers. Health South is the absolute right place for Kat so we can see God working allready.
Don and Joan
May 1, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Kathy,
Hey, what a way to get out of the camp spring cleaning!! ha ha… speaking of which… remember the plunger on the roof of the car..lol!! ahhhhh, the good ol days..:)
anyways, I was on my second lap by your house, walking with Jack today when I heard for the second time, the song..”praise you in the storm”..I kept hearing it every time I went by your house..
And I’ll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For YOU are who YOU are,
No matter where i am
And every tear i’ve cried
You hold in your hand,
You’ve never left my side…
i will praise YOU in this storm..
…. I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth..
… I WILL praise YOU in this storm..
He’s holding you thru this storm, keep looking up…we’re praying for you…
Cathy
May 2, 2007 at 1:12 am
I just heard the news via email, Oh my! I am definitely thinking about you! i hope and pray everything goes ever so smooth for you Kathy! Mike and fam too! Love you!
Shalom.
May 2, 2007 at 3:03 am
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this hard time. May God be with you.
Love,
Jimmy
May 2, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Kathy, Mike & Family…
We have been bringing you before the throne of our Father since we first heard. Isaac & Caleb have been praying esp. for Brent…as we imagine he may be frightened by this. God’s grace is sufficient for all, though…we love you so much…and know that in all of this your light of our Savior will continue to shine!!
Love, Michele & family
May 2, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Mike, Kathy, and family
Received news of Katyhy’s stroke via a forward from Marsha Savage. You are in our prayers that Kathy would have a complete and speedy recovery. “In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; This cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My Comforter, my all in all, here in the love of Christ I stand.”
Phyllis
“
May 3, 2007 at 12:32 am
Hi Kathy & Mike,
I am praying for you and your family. God is good and He loves you immensely. Hang in there and rest under the shadow of His wings.
Jim and Jon and I are going to try and see you this weekend. Love you much. Barb
May 3, 2007 at 11:55 am
Mike and family,
Thoughts and prayers are coming from the Gateway Alliance Church to you and yours during this time. We are all praying for a speedy recovery and God’s blessing on you.