Many of you know that last November my Grandma had triple bypass surgery on her heart. During her recovery she suffered from a massive stroke that put her into a coma. We were not sure that she would survive and she spent months going back and forth from long term rehab to hospital stays.
We spent Christmas day in the long term facility with her and thankfully by this point she had come out of the coma and could recognize us but could not speak or walk. Thankfully by January she was walking and could say a few words. Now, close to a year from her surgery she can walk and talk however saying what she is thinking is very difficult. Like many stroke victims the part of her brain that controls the way she articulates has not yet healed. Over time this could change.
My Grandma was always one of my biggest fans. Every time we saw her she would tell us how proud she was of my sister and I. Living far away from her we didn't see her on a regular basis but when we did get together she was always so positive, sweet and excited that the family was together.
Today is my Grandma's birthday. This is a day that we really felt like would not come- the fact that she has another year of life to celebrate is so amazing and a true miracle. My Mom is very close to my Grandma and I am so glad that she is able to spend today with her Mother.
Most of you also know that I work for the American Heart Association. I am entering into my 3rd year with this great organization and I have to say that I feel like I am fighting for my Grandma every day. When I took this job and moved to Fort Worth I was excited to be part of a non-profit with a cause but I am here now because I feel like every dollar I raise, every newsletter I design, every school I recruit to participate in Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart is giving my Grandma one more day. Maybe even one more birthday. She has recieved the best care possible and it is because of the work that the American Heart Association does through of the funding from our amazing donors. Although most of my volunteers will never read this I want to say Thank you. Thank you for your support.
God has been so faithful to my family and myself over the last 9 months and today is a blessing that we are over-joyed about. Thank you for blessing us with my Grandma and for keeping her safe the last 9 months. Happy birthday Grandma- I love you!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Back to Life, Back to Reality...
Well, vacation is over, it ended Monday morning when my alarm went off...
I must say though that our little beach vacation could not have been better!
We slept in Monday and took our little Scout to his Grandparent's house to spend a few days and headed down to Galveston. Ryan has only been there a time or two and although I have been a countless amount it has been a good 3 years and I haven't been back since all of the IKE damage.
We stayed at The Tremont House and it was pretty fancy. Our room was pretty big, 14 ft ceilings and made us feel like we were in a movie or something. LOVED it! Hotels make me happy, most you probably know that I love room service and just staying at hotels. I think they are fabulous. The first thing we did when we got there was order room service haha
We went to the beach, the pool and shopping around The Strand. There are some really great antique stores down there that I love but my favorite was closed because the people were "On Holiday." Well Antique Warehouse I will allow you to be on holiday... because I am on Holiday too.
We went to the Bishop's Palace since Ryan has never been and we revisted our original wedding sites- before choosing Huntsville we were going to get married in Galveston. I had found the church and reception hall and by an act of God we changed it at the last second. Had we not changed it IKE would have rained on our parade and we probably would have had to push our wedding date back etc. it would have been a disaster! I am pleased to say the church is back up and running but the plantation home we chose is still damaged and you can't visit it yet-sad day!
We also got to meet up with a few friends of ours while we were there which was great! We ate some great seafood at Casey's, Willie G's and Seaside Grill. We also ate at Carlos Mencia's new mexican restaurant that took the place of Fuddruckers on the Strand... don't be fooled by the fact that nothing has changed inside- it still looks like a Fuddruckers. It is mexican and it was no good! Sorry Carlos... we had high hopes but when my quesidillas were soaking wet from grease and ryan's nachos were strickly refried beans and cheese we knew we had made a mistake coming there. We also stopped at a Qualls family favorite on our way our- Mario's pizza! My Nana, Aunt Zonakay and her boys came up for the day to go to Schlitterbahn so we had to get some Marios!! It was great as always!
Galveston, I have missed you! Thank you for letting me relax with you this past week!! A dose of you was just what Ryan and I needed!! It was seriously so great to get away without having to fly or drive far away! I LOVE you Galveston :)
I must say though that our little beach vacation could not have been better!
We slept in Monday and took our little Scout to his Grandparent's house to spend a few days and headed down to Galveston. Ryan has only been there a time or two and although I have been a countless amount it has been a good 3 years and I haven't been back since all of the IKE damage.
We stayed at The Tremont House and it was pretty fancy. Our room was pretty big, 14 ft ceilings and made us feel like we were in a movie or something. LOVED it! Hotels make me happy, most you probably know that I love room service and just staying at hotels. I think they are fabulous. The first thing we did when we got there was order room service haha
We went to the beach, the pool and shopping around The Strand. There are some really great antique stores down there that I love but my favorite was closed because the people were "On Holiday." Well Antique Warehouse I will allow you to be on holiday... because I am on Holiday too.
We went to the Bishop's Palace since Ryan has never been and we revisted our original wedding sites- before choosing Huntsville we were going to get married in Galveston. I had found the church and reception hall and by an act of God we changed it at the last second. Had we not changed it IKE would have rained on our parade and we probably would have had to push our wedding date back etc. it would have been a disaster! I am pleased to say the church is back up and running but the plantation home we chose is still damaged and you can't visit it yet-sad day!
We also got to meet up with a few friends of ours while we were there which was great! We ate some great seafood at Casey's, Willie G's and Seaside Grill. We also ate at Carlos Mencia's new mexican restaurant that took the place of Fuddruckers on the Strand... don't be fooled by the fact that nothing has changed inside- it still looks like a Fuddruckers. It is mexican and it was no good! Sorry Carlos... we had high hopes but when my quesidillas were soaking wet from grease and ryan's nachos were strickly refried beans and cheese we knew we had made a mistake coming there. We also stopped at a Qualls family favorite on our way our- Mario's pizza! My Nana, Aunt Zonakay and her boys came up for the day to go to Schlitterbahn so we had to get some Marios!! It was great as always!
Galveston, I have missed you! Thank you for letting me relax with you this past week!! A dose of you was just what Ryan and I needed!! It was seriously so great to get away without having to fly or drive far away! I LOVE you Galveston :)
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