stroke Archives - COME SO ALIVE

Hello, my name is…

On 08/12/2022

In "Come So Alive" Origins, Beauty in the Storm (epilepsy), His Vast Strength (stroke)

I wrote this for the ComeSoAlive.com “About” page almost two years ago as I designed a website for the new blog idea I had…the blog I didn’t really want to write. I also wrote it when our worst storm was my son’s epilepsy – before we knew a stroke storm was on the horizon…the storm I thought may be the end of my writing. But since deciding to continue writing from within this new storm, a lot of you have somehow found your way to this page. So, I thought it was time to introduce myself.

First of all, let me just say that I don’t normally have purple hair.

Secondly, I don’t like blogs (seriously). But I think I’m supposed to write a blog (seriously??).

Finally, if you join me on this journey, you’ll learn the beautifully bizarre story of how I ended up having purple hair (ok, it was just temporary but you still want to know, don’t ya?)

When the “what-if” happens

By Carrie

On 04/22/2022

In His Vast Strength (stroke)

We talk so much these days
Because I have so much to say
You stay and listen to me closely even though
You already know
You already know
JJ Heller, “You Already Know“

I found that song a few months ago (more accurately, that song found its way to me) to add to the “100 Days” playlist. It’s a very catchy tune and those lyrics play in my head frequently. Sometimes, in the weeks leading up to surgery, they were the only lyrics in my head all day.

You already know. “You” in the song being God.

Last week, I reposted “Looking hard for signs of life” from Good Friday 2021, which it turns out is what we are doing this year after a new storm hit. In the original post, I wrote,

“After the storm, the ashes, the hard winter, do I usually look for life? Or do I just mourn the loss? Do I keep walking when the trees are bare? Even though there are dead leaves wherever I put my foot next. Do I hope, looking hard for signs of life?”

A year ago when I wrote that, God knew. He knew what life would look like a year later. And I feel a little betrayed. He knew and He didn’t tell me. That may sound odd. No, I don’t actually hear a literal voice of God but I do hear from Him. He knew and He didn’t tell me what was coming.

Perspective

By Carrie

On 03/25/2022

In His Vast Strength (stroke)

Two weeks ago yesterday, my husband had open-heart surgery. It was planned although it had been a surprise that he needed it. He scheduled the surgery at a hospital 90 minutes from our home because it was the only hospital in the state that could perform this rare type of surgery. We were nervous but also knew he would have the surgeon who had done more of these than anyone in the state and, as it turns out, probably more than anyone in the world.

Because the hospital was so far from home, we also booked a hotel right across the street for Cody, my mom, and me to stay in during Chuck’s recovery in the hospital. Cody was thrilled – the hotel had a pool AND a small basketball court!

The day of the surgery, I wanted to stay with Cody as much as possible so after Chuck was wheeled to the operating room, I went back to the hotel to wait. I received text messages from the hospital throughout the next 3 1/2 hours with status updates and, at 3:42 pm, I received, “The patient’s procedure is starting to close.”

Finding breath and beauty amidst the storm

Tag: stroke

Hello, my name is…

When the “what-if” happens

Perspective