The staff and care at the University was a tender mercy. Everyone treated me with such care and such love. The doctor was one of the most educated, trustworthy gentleman I have ever known. The nurses, aides, therapists and arm-pokers were incredibly kind and gentle. I was in the ICU for a couple of days and then was moved to the Neuro Acute Care Unit, just around the corner on the same floor.
On my third night at the hospital, my favorite aide Evelyn, did something of angels. She was my nighttime aide. It was her third graveyard shift in a row. She came in and said, "Heidi, would you like a bath tonight?" Oh, did I ever! I had been given a couple of monkey baths, but how I wanted to have water and soap! She told me that she had been devising a way to get that done. I was paralyzed, afterall, and bathing me would take quite a feat for anyone. There was quite a ledge in my bathroom's shower and I hadn't been out of bed even once... not even to be put in the wheelchair. She got her other patients settled and then came in, looking very motivated. She had several blankets, a wheelchair, all of the bathing necessities. I watched her flurry around my room with a look in her eye that she was on a mission. She got me undressed and put in to a wheelchair. She carefully wrapped me up in blankets to keep me warm and wrapped all of my IVs up. She got another aide to help lift me and the wheelchair in to the shower and then she turned the water on. I held the shower head with my right hand and let the warm water run down my body. As I did, this sweet woman (earthly angel) got on her hands and knees in water and washed my feet and my legs, my arms and my back... she scrubbed my hair with shampoo and then rinsed my body. As she did, she would cover me back up in blankets to keep my temperature from dropping. She turned the water off and rubbed lotion all over my body, brushed my hair and my teeth, dressed me back in to a gown, changed the bedding and laid me back in bed with all of the monitors being hooked back up. The tenderness, love, gentleness that Evelyn showed my on that night was simply not of this world. As tears ran down the right side of my face, I thanked her repeatedly for washing my body and for the dignity and respect that she showed to me in these moments.
Being bed-panned and having complete strangers roll you over to place the pan under your body, then wipe your bottom and get you situated again is humiliating. It is defeating. Never once did any staff member make me feel less than divine.
The paralysis in my face recovered first. I was able to talk, smile, and stick my tongue out normally within a week. My swallow came back within a few days. I choked twice after passing the swallow test, but then was able to eat a normal diet. No more Diet Coke for this girl. I was sad at first, but then resolute on water, water, water.
Randy was able to take me for walks once a day around the unit in my wheelchair. Getting out of the room was always a blessing.
As further tests were done, it was determined that I had not, in fact, suffered an ordinary stroke. I had suffered a conversion. My symptoms, and the recovery, are the exact same. My brain had quite literally turned off to save my life. I was told that I had no permanent brain damage, which is the greatest blessing. I was told from day one that this would be a very long process, but that the doctors were extremely optimistic that I would eventually heal 100%.
My left thumb was my rockstar! I would wiggle the heck out of that thing. Prior to being transferred to IMC, I was able to touch my pointer finger to my thumb. I was able to remember where I was and why I was there. I was able to recognize all of my loved ones as well. A couple of my guys from work came to visit, my parents, and my brother. Monte, who has been acting for P, gave me a beautiful blessing in the ICU.
Each day, we recognized quite literal miracles... modern day miracles occurring constantly. My boys were blessed with loved ones who surrounded them. Our ward family has taken amazing care of my family throughout. Prayers, fasts, and good feelings from the universe have been heard and answered. My time at the University was very tender, very emotional, and full of love and blessings. Soon, it would be time to move on to my next adventure... healing.
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