Tuesday Update on Grandpa

After getting the ct scan results, the doctor now thinks Grandpa had a TIA. I didn't know what it was either. Google is a great thing. Here is a rundown via the American Heart Association website.

What is a TIA or transient ischemic attack?

A TIA is a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke.

Most strokes aren't preceded by TIAs. However, of the people who've had one or more TIAs, more than a third will later have a stroke. In fact, a person who's had one or more TIAs is more likely to have a stroke than someone of the same age and sex who hasn't.

TIAs are important in predicting if a stroke will occur rather than when one will happen. They can occur days, weeks or even months before a major stroke. In about half the cases, the stroke occurs within one year of the TIA.

What causes a transient ischemic attack?

TIAs occur when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery, and part of the brain doesn't get the blood it needs. The symptoms occur rapidly and last a relatively short time. Most TIAs last less than five minutes. The average is about a minute. Unlike stroke, when a TIA is over, there's no injury to the brain.

What are the symptoms of a TIA?

It's very important to recognize the warning signs of a TIA or stroke. The usual TIA symptoms are the same as those of stroke, only temporary:

Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
The short duration of these symptoms and lack of permanent brain injury is the main difference between TIA and stroke.

Grandpa goes back to the doctor tomorrow for more tests to determine if he has any arterial blockage. If he has a significant amount, he will need to undergo surgery to correct the problem.

I have much to say about all of this, but am so tired and honestly, don't feel much like writing tonight. I would like to say thank you again to everyone. The smallest gestures mean so much... especially to Grandpa. I am not prayer warrior--in fact, I probably send up the simplest prayers God ever hears, but I truly believe in the power of prayers and plead with you to pray for him. Specifically, please pray that Grandpa will not have to endure a stroke or suffer the mentally and physically debilitating symptoms that would follow. Pray for his continued recovery and that he might continue to live as he has with minimal assistance. God can do anything.

Angela

Waiting on ct scan

UPDATE Monday night, 9:22 pm. Grandpa had the ct scan and did very well all afternoon. The confusion hasn't returned, and we are hoping it doesn't. He still has very little mobility and can't be left alone. Tomorrow he goes back to the doctor for the ct results. I will try to keep updating. I am doing this from my iPhone which is not ideal. I so appreciate all of you who have sent encouraging words and prayers. I have the absolute best friends in the world. I am so grateful for all of you.

EARLY MONDAY MORNING

Back at hospital. The doctor thinks he had a stroke and sent us here for a scan. He is staying awake, talking more, and making more sense. The doctor asked him who is our president, and Grandpa said, "Do we have one?". He thought that was pretty funny. So we are waiting again.

Difficult Mother's Day

UPDATE Monday 12:45 pm. I have been at Grandpa's about an hour. He hasn't said much. He's been asleep the whole time. Matt said he's slept all day. He is still confused and tried to put pants on over his head earlier today. He is barely walking with the help of a walker. We are taking him to the doctor at 2 pm. At this point we know something is wrong but don't know what. My mom and step dad are on their way from Alabama. Hopefully I will know more after seeing the doctor.

SUNDAY NIGHT

I was dreading today. Mother's Day is tough without Grandma. Very tough. But today started out so nice. My precious kids and their daddy woke up me early--Belle holding a Starbucks, Estella holding roses, Jeb holding a gift card, and Daddy holding Jeb. It was priceless. After church they got me take out at Madame Wu's (a restaurant whose former home was Russellville but moved here). SO YUMMY. I came home and got ready to work out and was just about to leave for the gym when my phone rang. And as soon as I saw the number, my heart sank. It was a friend from home saying Grandpa had not made it to church. When they went to check on him, he had fallen, was disoriented, but wouldn't let anyone take him to the hospital. My friend was worried, and so she called me. I immediately called him, but his phone was off the hook. I began packing bags. Matt got home and convinced me just to let him go. After a lengthy discussion, I relented and stayed here with the kids while he went alone.

When Matt got to Grandpa's, my little brother was already there. They knew immediately something was not right. They loaded him up and took him to the ER. After a full exam, they sent him home, but he is still very altered. I spoke with him tonight on the phone, and he couldn't follow through with his thoughts. He was very hard to understand and didn't make a lot of sense. I am praying that the morning brings clarity, but I am worried. He is 87. 88 in September.

I can't even begin to put into words how hard it was for me to hear him that way. So I won't try. But it was hard. Uncontrollable crying hard. Today was hard, dang it. I miss Grandma so much it literally physically hurts, and to feel like Grandpa slipped away a little tonight.... Hard day. My prayer, again, is that the morning will be better. Please be better.

I would truly appreciate your prayers for him. This is a picture of me and him at homecoming... I think 1990. If you can't tell by the sash, just look at the hair. Oh, and you can't see, but yes, I was wearing white hose and white heels with my lacy, all white, three-tiered, homecoming dress. Don't be jealous. Other than the day Matt and I got married (and Grandpa wore a tux), this was the only other time he could remember wearing a jacket and tie. Wasn't he so handsome? You should have seen him in that tux.

Kate Austin Shopping Spree

The girls were able to go on their Kate Austin shopping spree today with the $101 they won from the KLRC contest. We ended up with 2 bracelets, a Hello Kitty necklace, pink heart ring, and three Webkins. They had so much fun, and the people at Kate Austin were very sweet and helpful. Here are some pictures of the sweet sisters and their loot.







My favorite find of the day--Big Sis/Lil Sis bracelets. So sweet.

Jeb and Safety

Jeb and I went to Target this morning. Afterwards, we came home and ate lunch. At both locations, his life was in danger due to his utter disregard for safety precautions. At Target, I could NOT keep him seated in the shopping cart. (And before you say it, yes, he was buckled, but figured out how to wiggle out.) Once at home, he figured out how to climb up to the stove. Luckily, it wasn't hot, but still.... My girls would have never attempted such things! Is this what I have to look forward to? No. No, don't answer that. I'd rather live oblivious to my certain future.

The Slaughter Sisters Win!

I have two very excited little girls this morning. The day before Belle's birthday, I thought it would be neat for Belle to hear her name on the radio. So, I went to KLRC's website (what she and Matt always listen to on the way to school) and added her name to the list of birthdays. While I was there, I saw the "More Beautiful You" contest where listeners were asked to send in a picture of their daughters or a special girl in the their life. They wanted you to tell in one sentence why she was so beautiful, and the winner would receive a $101 gift certificate to Kate Austin Jewelry. On a whim, I entered them, and this morning Matt got a phone call from Mark and Keri at the morning show saying Belle and E Dru had won. Drusy was still in bed, but both Belle and Matt got to talk on the radio. Belle is convinced she's a superstar. I am so proud of my girls.

Click here to see the winner page. Way to go, Slaughter Sisters!

Big Day Thursday

Yesterday was a big day for the Slaughter crew. It began with Estella Dru's K-4 Lovebug Program. She was such a cute little ladybug. They also gave out K-4 character traits. Each child was given a character trait that most accurately describes them in the classroom. Last year, Belle's was optimism, and yesterday, E Dru was given the trait of helpfulness. We are so proud of her.

Sweet lady bug.

Singing her heart out.

With Lowery and Catherine.

E Dru, Catherine, and Easton.

Also, yesterday, we had a birthday party for Belle with the little girls in her class and some others. It was a pink party. Pink everything. We had a pink party for her 3rd birthday, too. Hopefully, this will be the last. It can be a bit involved, but it was fun. The little girls had a ball.

Matt "entertaining" the girls. Oh yes. He was in pink, too.

Other than Daddy, this was the only boy allowed!

Belle is like her mommy and does not like birthday cake. Here are the girls holding up their cupcakes instead.

Happy little birthday girl.


PARTY CRASHER!!

Matt told them he wanted to see some fierce poses.

Belle fell belly first in a puddle of water.

I just had to post this one. Matt took, "Honey, make sure they're having fun" a little too far. What a great daddy.

I'm only posting these favor bags to pass on the idea. The little lady bugs were on sale at Hobby Lobby. Just sharing suggestions!

Same with the cupcakes. I made them, then got a 1/2 price bundle of fake daises at Hobby Lobby. They were adorable and super inexpensive.