I wish there was a fun reason I selected this
lyric for the blog entry this week. However, there was really nothing fun at
all about it.
As you may remember, Rae is in the US helping
with grandkids. On Friday I was traveling on business to another city several
hundred miles from Delhi; in a city with limited plane connections to Delhi. I
had just gotten through speaking to the management association in that area and
had gotten back to my room, when I got a text from Ben asking me if I had time
to talk. I replied I did have time but I didn’t have phone connection so we
would have to communicate by SMS. For the next few hours I was exchanging
emails with Ben, then Emily, then Sarah. I love all of them but it wasn’t much
fun.
To start off the evening, Ben texted me he and
Jeremy and given Rae a blessing and they were just taking her to the hospital –
they thought she was having a stroke. I was in shock at that news but when I
asked why they thought that, and he described her symptoms, I unfortunately
completely agreed. She had slurred speech delayed reaction to questions,
drooping on the right side of her face, numbness in her right hand and arm, and
inability to remember the names of family members.
In the emergency room they immediately began
stroke protocol procedures and transferred her to the stroke unit. Over the
course of the next few hours, they did a CT scan, an MRI, an echo-cardiogram,
and a variety of other diagnostic tests. Throughout that process, Ben and then
Sarah would text me with what tests they were running; what Rae was doing; what
the doctors were saying; and basically trying to overcome the fact I was 13,000
miles away. I was simultaneously trying to figure out what I needed to do. I
couldn’t decide if I should try to come to the US or wait. Even if I tried to
come, I was unsure how soon I could get there. And what to do about the
meetings I was supposed to have on Saturday? Should I cancel them and try to
get back to Delhi? Needless to say, I didn’t get much sleep. I finally dozed
off about 3:00 in the morning.
Whilst I was awake, I decided I needed to get
back to Delhi ASAP. Nothing really could happen in terms of making plans to go
the US until I was back home. So (about 11:00 PM) I called the person
responsible for coordinating my meetings, briefly told him what was going on
and asked him to make my apologies the next day for the cancelled meetings. I
texted Emily so she would know what was going on and sent out an email to
family and friends. I then started checking on getting back to Delhi. This was
not an easy process.
The closest airport to where I was staying was
about a two hour drive from where I was. It turns out there are only three
flights a day from Vadodara to Delhi: two in the morning and one in the evening
which I was scheduled to take. I decided I had better get there early and so
called and asked the cab to pick me up at 6:00 AM. Having finally fallen asleep
as noted earlier, I wasn’t exactly rested when my alarm went off at 5:00. The
first thing I did was text Sarah to see if there was any news. There was and it
was good! (Mostly)
The results from most of the tests were back.
There was no brain damage; there had not been a stroke because no brain cells
had died (the definition of a stroke). Further, her heart and vascular system
all looked good with only minimal plaque.
The two causes that best fit the symptoms but lack of pathology as
indicated by the tests were that Rae had either had a mini-stroke (technically
a Trans Ischemic Attack or TIA) or a complex migraine. The doctors were
stumped. They were sure based on her symptoms that she had had a stroke but the
lack of brain damage indicated that was not the case. In any case, armed with a
prescription for medication and a warning to come back immediately if there
were any new or repeat symptoms she was being allowed to go home. I felt a huge
wave of relief.
But the relief wasn’t complete. I had been
researching TIAs during the night and had learned that although there is no
permanent damage from a TIA during the four days after a stroke, 30% of people
will have a stroke, often a fatal one. I knew we were not out of the woods yet,
but I should at least have time to make my arrangements and get there. During
the night, I had actually wondered if I would see Rae again alive in this world
and if so in what condition?
In any case, I made it to the airport and checked
to see if I could change my flight. The airline I was scheduled with also had a
morning flight, but it was totally booked. I explained the situation but there
was nothing they could do. They suggested checking with the other carrier.
Fortunately they did have room on their flight and by 11:30 I was back in
Delhi, in our home, trying to make arrangements with United to change my flight
planned for the 21st to get to Portland as soon as possible.
After about an hour on the
phone, the arrangements had been made. I was flying coach rather than the
business class I was scheduled to fly but by 2:30 Portland time the next day, I
would be there. The next step was making arrangements for being gone from work
and away from Church and associated responsibilities ten day earlier than
planned. I actually got all of that done and had time to stop at the Church on
the way to the airport for Brother Kuberan Arjun’s wedding.
While I was waiting for it to start, I was
talking with the Slocombes about Rae and her situation. I got choked up talking
about Rae and how hard it must have been for her to go through all she went
through alone. Seeing the struggles I was having dealing with everything, Eric
asked if I would like a blessing. I immediately knew that is exactly what I
wanted. As he and President Jurial put their hands on my head, all of the pent
up emotion and stress bubbled to the surface and tears came to my eyes.
I don’t remember all he said but I do remember
how I felt and I remember one thing in particular. It was a unique and
spiritual experience. At essentially the same time he was promising me the
same, I felt the Spirit wash over me, all of the stress leave; replaced by an
overwhelming sense of peace. I knew that God was aware of Rae and that
everything was going to be alright.
I won’t go through
all the details of actually getting to Portland. Needless to say I did make it.
It was wonderful to see Rae. I just wanted to hold her. I thought she looked
beautiful and although she seemed tired, she didn’t have any other symptoms
that were apparent.
I got there in time
for the family Mother’s Day dinner and it was great to see everyone (well
almost; Emily and Kai will be here in a few days), and to meet Isabel for the
first time. The reason we were all together earlier than planned was not a good
one. It had been a stressful couple of days.
But now we were together. Even if there are still challenges ahead, and
there may be, at least we will be together to face them.
We certainly are
blessed with loving family and friends. Almost immediately upon sending out the
email about Rae, responses started coming in with statements of love and
support and inclusion in prayers. Within minutes her name was on the prayer
roles of temples across the country. Where does one get such support? We are
truly blessed.
Namaste.
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