When it Snows, It is a Blizzard

Our Christmas holiday started with a bang. We arrived in Dallas, Texas expecting balmy temperatures. The day before we left it was 73. The day we arrived it was a windy, 32 degrees (felt like 20 degrees) and about to rain. Oh well, it was December after all. We had a warm reception by our grandchildren and their sunny smiles warmed us considerably. Christmas with the McDowells was really a fun event. There was always something going on. Outside of Christmas Day, we went to movies, restaurants, and kids play facilities with games and food. Of course there was also just sitting around and playing games with the kids. We must have played 30 games of Yatzee. Caden and Cooper are excellent players. I'll bet they won 70% of the time. In one game with 4 of us playing, everyone got at least one Yatzee and I got two and Caden got three and the highest score I have ever seen. Little Cody was just a little walking ball of energy. Never saying anything, but he was always in the middle of everything. I could not believe how big those boys are. We had a terrific time. During our stay the temperatures ranged from 30's to the 80's. When we got home, the temperatures were back in the 30's.

The next day at work, Judy called me to say that Shawn had a stroke and was going to the hospital. I don't remember much about the next few minutes. I felt sorry for the patient I was treating when the phone call came. I can't remember anything about the visit. The next day we were flying to Denver and then on the Colorado Springs. More cold, but who cared. We didn't know what we would find when we got there. By the time I got to the hospital, Shawn was already speaking and able to walk. He had a blessing upon his arrival at the hospital. The next day was the family fast and hundreds of prayers offered on Shawn's behalf. Prayers were answered and Shawn went home on New Year's Eve. Since then the progress has been slow and steady. There are still lots of fine hand movements that he struggles with ,but he can practice and get those things back. Ann has been a rock through all of this, but it is wearing on her. Judy stayed after I left, but is coming home this weekend. Since the stroke, it was discovered that Shawn has a small hole in his heart that formed the clot that caused the stroke. The heart will be repaired by cardiac cathaterization in about 4 weeks in an outpatient procedure. In the meantime, he is on blood thinners to prevent further strokes.

This will not be a short, get better quick, deal. Shawn already thinks that he is near normal and he is not. He still needs lots of prayers on his behalf as does Ann. As a family we need to do all that we can for both of them. Phone calls, letters, prayers, and visits.