Good Things Happen When You Let It.

I was at my desk working on a book when the first stroke started.  It wasn’t even an X rated book.  Well, definitely R rated.  The first chapter tells how a mass murderer helped guide my life’s path.  Complete with mass hysteria and an armed posse.  But that’s a story for another time.

Suddenly my mouse felt heavy.  It felt like the darn thing was sticking to the desk top.   Thing was it came and went.  I decided I’d put off the mouse problem till after lunch.  My stomach was feeling a bit queasy.  So, I went to the kitchen to make a green drink.

I rose at 5:00 a.m. to take Diane to the airport. so it made sense I was getting hungry.  Who would suspect nausea as a warning sign for stroke?  Besides that wouldn’t happen to me; I was a good guy living right and trusting God to take care of me.

I opened the back door to let a cat in.  He’s old and either wants in or out as long as the door’s closed.  It’s very annoying, so I left the door open.  Good thing I did because the house was locked tight.

I took another step and my right leg wouldn’t work.  It slammed into the ground and seemed to weigh a ton.  I didn’t have time to shut the door if I had wanted to.  I barely made it to into a kitchen chair.  As I sat down I grabbed my Blackberry and called Penelope.  She suggested I call 911, but that was too expensive for me.

The phone beeped another call.  It was my wife, Diane, calling from the airport in El Paso.  She going back to see her mother and sister’s family in New Mexico.  She was about to rent the car which she’d use for the five hour trip across a desolate stretch of the most magnificent high desert anywhere.  Great for solitude, not great for cell phones.

I told her I was having a stroke.  She too suggested 911.  I still was counting pennies.  She hung up to call a neighbor.

By now my whole right side refused to move.  I couldn’t even stand up.  My speech was slurred and my voice…my precious honey voice was weak and strained.  I could barely say “stroke” and give my address to the 911 operator.

Those EMT’s were here in five minutes.  They rushed me to the hospital, even had a Fire Engine escort.  Believe me that ride was a bargain at twice the price.

Since I got to the hospital quickly, I got THE shot.  See the worst thing you can do with a stroke is wait.

Don’t wait to get better.  Don’t wait and try to sleep it off.  Don’t wait and hope it’s mild or over or God knows what.  DON’T WAIT.

There is one thing they do for a stroke.  They can give you a special drug…IF…and it’s a big if…if it’s less than three hours since the first attack.  After getting a brain scan to find out if it’s a clot or a bleed.

You don’t have much time.  THE shot doubles your recovery odds.  Call 911 at the first signs of a stroke.  No matter how minor.  My first stroke was nothing like the ones at the hospital.

When bad things happen to good people the Universe sends help.  Accept it eagerly.  Don’t refuse it.  Don’t worry about the money.  God handles the money.

I love you.  Take care of yourselves.  Life is full of all kinds of Adventures.  Remember the Universe opens the door, provides the means, makes safe your path and guides your way.

Regardless of the challenges life brings your way, good things happen when you allow them.

God Bless you always,

Tom Pauley

P.S.  Quantum Clearing is a great program designed to help you clear your blocks before they cause serious damage to your physical or to your financial well being.  Stay ahead of the game.

Oh, tell someone you love about this blog.  Pass it on.