How Life Can Change in an Instant

[RickBomba]

So, it's 4PM yesterday, and the TV repair company finally calls me after four weeks of waiting on Best Buy repair work to schedule an appointment for 10 AM Tuesday.
Elated, I call Jess from work (which I've done three times in five years) to tell her about the appointment. I notice on the phone, that she is having a hard time speaking to me...a little jibberish, can't form sentences, finally says "HELP!"
Anyhow, I run into my boss' office (VP of Client Services) and say "Gotta go, Jess is in trouble!" and proceed to drive home as fast as the Avalanche will go (I'm lucky I didn't get pulled over, would've cost me time) from East Boston to Waltham...took me 20 minutes. I run inside, grab Jess (literally) and throw her in the car.
At this point, she is crying and can barely talk to me. She doesn't know where we are, what time it is, what month it is...two thoughts come into mind...stroke and or brain tumor.
Anyhow, I remember that one of my uncle's (a stroke rehab specialist) had told me that Lahey in Burlington was the place to go.
Get to Lahey at 5 pm, tell the triage nurse that Jess is over 30 and on the pill, and can't talk...needless to say she was waiting for a head CT by the time that I finished the paperwork. This was 5:15 PM yesterday.
The CT revealed that Jess had an edema on her left frontal lobe, she was rushed to MRI after being given a clot-buster, and luckilly by now, her parents and brother had joined me.
I spent the next six hours waiting, as my best friend in the world can only say "You...TV" to me (she still had the hutzpah to want to get the F^&*ing TV fixed), and we were forced to leave her for the night.
I wake up today, call Jess' friends, and find one of them who lives by the hospital to go to my apartment and wait for the TV to get fixed, as I figure this is really important to Jess.
I fly to the hospital, just in time to talk to the Neurology team, who say that Jess had thrown a clot, due to the fact that she is over 30 and on the pill (like they say in the commercials). She had suffered a stroke that was effecting her speech, but it appeared that no other areas of the brain were affected.
Another day's worth of invasive tests, heperin shots to the abdomen, and trying to codgle a frustrated person who could think, but could not speak insued. Jess got markedly better, and after a talk with a speech therapist, started to rebound exceptionally well (but only while talking to me). More tests, and about an hour ago, they decided it was time to go home (for Jess). She's still only really talking to me, which in itself is an absolute MIRACLE!!!!!!!!!!!!
I cannot remember the last time that I prayed for something other than fishing (and I really did pray hard), and the prayers were answered in a way that I never thought possible.
Funny, as I was typing this, Jess just walked in and said "Why are you always leaving me" (i left her asleep on the couch for a few minutes to type this).
If it wasn't for a freak call home yesterday, things may have been much worse. I've never been a believer in the old adage "Things always happen for a reason," but something DEFINATELY made me call home yesterday.
Needless to say, I've taken the next week off, and those people that I was planning to see on the weekend at the Cape will have to wait. In fact, a lot of thigs will probably have to wait. We aren't out of the woods yet, but I feel absolutely blessed to have my best friend back in the house, watching the TV (which for wahtever reason is very important right now).
I have had both grandparents survive strokes in the last eight years, and both came out changed people (maybe it was me that came out changed).
Count your blessings everyone, and kiss your favorite person as much as you can, ALL THE TIME!!!! Life can change in an instant!
OK I haven't slept in 24 hours, gotta go!
Later,
Rick

[Van]

Wow that is unbelievable and very lucky you made that call.
So glad it didn't turn for the worse.
Thoughts and prayers to both of you and for a full recovery.
V

[Fishpart]

Prayers Brother...

[Squid kids Dad]

Hang in there Rick..Prayers on the way for you and Jess

[Raider Ronnie]

Best wishes Rick.
Hope everything turns out ok !

[Saltheart]

I hope she has a speedy and complete recovery.

[Slingah]

prayers sent Rick for a speedy recovery for Jess...
get some sleep....

[EricW]

That is an incredible story. I wish both of you the best and hope all works out well.

God bless.

Eric

[nightfighter]

Prayers with you, bro. Call me if you need help, coverage, to vent, what ever you two need.....

[The Dad Fisherman]

Rick, I'm glad to hear that she is back home and all is on the mend. Thoughts and Prayers......as Ross said, If you need anything just ask

[Clueless]

I don't know what else to say after reading your story but "wow"... Not much gets to me, but this was very moving.

I wish you both the best and a full and quick recovery for Jess.

[RickBomba]

Thanks everybody!!!
I'm guessing that I've told at least Ross and Kevin (BTW thanks boys!), but Jess is a trained culinarian, like me. We spent the nigth watching Hell's Kitchen, and the words just keep coming out. Had to leave her for a few (still to tired to sleep), but going to bed now.
It's almost like talking to her helps her finish the sentences, which makes talking so much easier...I do not know what else to say, except for the fact that in 24 hours she went from "stroke patient" to herself again (kind of).
Thanks everybody...time to go to bed!
I am absolutely floored and thank God that I was given the chance to be able to intervene and for those of you who know Jess, I give a hearty thanks!
OK Out,
Rick

[Clammer]

Rick ;;

turned out good >.but scary >>> now live every day like it maYbe your last & enjoy every moment ya can :;


IMP MIKE

[UserRemoved1]

Wow Rick I will keep good thoughts coming you guys' way! I hope she's ok man.

[nightfighter]

I still question her taste in men..........

[HESH2]

great news on her recovery,scary moments though lucky you called when you did.

[Johnny C]

Keep positive. A very close friend of mine suffered a similar situation a few years back. 33 yrs old...single guy and bang. Stroke.
He has made a full recovery and is doing great. It is very scary and the speech loss is so frustrating, but it all gets better. Take care.

[Nebe]

scary story.. glad she rebounded as well as she did..

[Rick Ackley]

What a story. Wishing for the best.

[PaulS]

Hope she makes a full recovery and there's no long term impact.

[bart]

best wishes

[Bronko]

Best wishes Rick, sounds like things are progressing very well.

She's lucky she has you!

[fishsmith]

count your lucky stars, you hit the biggest lottery of them all!!

[Swimmer]

Geez I am glad this story had a happy ending for you and Jess. T & P for continued recovery.

[fish4striper]

wow,thank god you called... prayers sent for a speedy recovery

[Jimbo]

So glad to hear Jess is is doing better with time. Thoughts and prayers for a continued and speedy recovery. Your actions or reactions are indeed an inspiration.

[Rockport24]

Oh man Rick, what an ordeal thoughts and prayers to Jess for a speedy recovery.

[Slipknot]

You handled that well Rick, thank God it was not worse.
Best wishes for a quick and full recovery for her
That is scary.

[Backbeach Jake]

Thank God she's recovering as well and fast as she is. My thoughts and prayers.

[The Iceman 6]

Rick -

All the best to Jess. Thoughts and prayers sent...

Ice