Last night, at about nine o'clock, I was putting the baby to bed when I noticed the answering machine in my room flashing. I listened and heard a message from my mother's rehab facility, saying they were trying to reach me urgently. (I had had my cell phone with me all day, so it never occurred to me there might be an important message on the machine.)
We had been out all day--violin, ballet, doctor's appointments--leaving the house at 8:30 in the morning and not returning until 5 o'clock. On our way home, Maureen had asked to go see Grandma, and I hesitated, but decided to go home and make dinner instead. Little did I know, Mom had spent the morning in the emergency room of yet another hospital and was already in intensive care.
As you know, she has a sore leg from the accident with a large hematoma. Because she is on blood thinner (Coumadin), it was not healing, so the doctor in the rehab suggested taking her off this drug for a few days. He told me the chances of her having a stroke from this would be one in a million.
Yesterday, she lost movement on her entire left side.
I am heading over to see her now, but wanted to put this post up quickly to ask you to pray. Thank you so much for the many prayers you have been offering for her the past few days.
oh alice, I am praying for your mom. What a scary week you've been through!! Dear Blessed Mother, carry them.
Posted by: Melanie | October 16, 2007 at 11:21 AM
Praying for you and your dear mom, Alice!
Posted by: Maria | October 16, 2007 at 11:28 AM
Praying, Alice!
Posted by: Amy | October 16, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Oh Alice, saying a Memorare for her right now....please update when you can sweet lady, praying fervently...
Posted by: Meredith | October 16, 2007 at 11:35 AM
Praying, Alice!
Posted by: Wendy in VA (now in MD) | October 16, 2007 at 11:53 AM
Oh no. I'm so sorry. I'll be keeping you all in my prayers.
Posted by: Beth | October 16, 2007 at 12:03 PM
Your mother is in my prayers!!
Posted by: joann10 | October 16, 2007 at 12:26 PM
Your mother is in my prayers, Alice. And so are you.
Posted by: Christine M | October 16, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Continued prayers for your dear mother, Alice! (I've been offline the past couple days and missed these updates.)
Love,
Jane
Posted by: Jane Ramsey | October 16, 2007 at 12:52 PM
You and your mother continue to be in my prayers, Alice.
Posted by: Layla | October 16, 2007 at 12:58 PM
Praying for your Mom & your family!
Posted by: Mary Beth P | October 16, 2007 at 01:08 PM
Oh, Alice. This is so sad and frightening. I am so sorry for all you are going through.
I had just stopped to check in on your site before my 8yo daughter and I set to work for the afternoon...she would like you to know that we just offered up our favorite prayer for you and your mom.
You will continue to be in our prayers.
Posted by: Eileen | October 16, 2007 at 01:25 PM
Praying dear.
Posted by: Maria Ashwell | October 16, 2007 at 03:12 PM
Praying for you and your mother.
Posted by: patience | October 16, 2007 at 03:24 PM
Alice,
I am covering your dear Mother with prayers and pleading with St. Gerard who is such a powerful intercessor for earthly motherhood to bring your mother into perfect health again!
Posted by: Mary | October 16, 2007 at 03:45 PM
Oh Alice, I'm so sorry to hear of this setback - many, many continued prayers for your dear mother's complete healing and recovery.
Posted by: Cheryl M. | October 16, 2007 at 04:18 PM
Alice, I will be praying for your mum throughout our day, asking Our Lady to interceed powerfully.
God Bless, Anne
Posted by: aussieannie | October 16, 2007 at 04:36 PM
Dear Alice. I will be praying fervently for your mother. I'm so sorry about this. God bless you.
Posted by: Ruth | October 16, 2007 at 04:38 PM
Praying for your mom, Alice.
Posted by: marym | October 16, 2007 at 04:46 PM
I will continue to pray for your mother and you're whole family. I am so sorry Alice.
Posted by: Donna | October 16, 2007 at 04:47 PM
Oh Alice, Your family has my prayers.
Posted by: Lisa | October 16, 2007 at 05:15 PM
Prayers here Alice.
Posted by: Maryan | October 16, 2007 at 05:29 PM
Just saw this. I'll be praying. . . I'm so sorry this happened.
Posted by: Sarah | October 16, 2007 at 05:30 PM
Oh, Alice, I am so sorry - and am praying!
Posted by: Leonie | October 16, 2007 at 05:54 PM
Praying, dear Alice, for your mom and for all of you.
Posted by: guitarnan | October 16, 2007 at 06:22 PM
Dearest Alice,
I am so sorry! I just read this and we are all praying!! I was just reading the last post and this... You write so beautifully. Your words move me to tears! The Tappclan sends hugs and prayers to all of your family!
Posted by: Donna Marie | October 16, 2007 at 06:27 PM
Oh Dear Alice. I've been away from the computer for a bit and had not read of your mother's accident. I'm so sorry for it and this latest news. I'm praying for your mom and you and your whole family.
Posted by: Kathy | October 16, 2007 at 07:07 PM
Dear Alice, praying for your mother. I will offer up my week for you all.
Posted by: KC | October 16, 2007 at 07:11 PM
Praying for all concerned ... especially for peace for you (remember "trust") and peace for your mom; also, wisdom and care on the medical end!
Posted by: Mary G. | October 16, 2007 at 07:43 PM
I'm so sorry Alice. We've been praying for your family all day today.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 16, 2007 at 07:46 PM
Praying Alice!
Posted by: Michele Q. | October 16, 2007 at 08:41 PM
I'm praying for her, and you, too.
Posted by: Jennie C. | October 16, 2007 at 08:59 PM
Oh, Alice. I'm so sorry.
I am praying for your mom.
Posted by: Beck | October 16, 2007 at 09:11 PM
Oh, dear Alice, Praying for your mother and your family.
Posted by: Louise | October 16, 2007 at 09:19 PM
So very sorry. Praying for you all.
Posted by: almamater | October 16, 2007 at 09:32 PM
Dear Alice,
Please know that I will be praying!
Posted by: Molly | October 16, 2007 at 09:41 PM
Praying for your family.
Posted by: Mariposa | October 16, 2007 at 09:41 PM
I am praying for your mom, Alice, and for all of you.
Posted by: Rebecca | October 16, 2007 at 09:42 PM
Oh Alice, I am so sorry to hear this. You can count on my prayers.
Posted by: Suzanne Temple | October 16, 2007 at 09:54 PM
I haven't been here in over a week so I have not seen your requests, but I am praying now.
Posted by: Theresa ♥ | October 16, 2007 at 10:26 PM
Alice, just saw this. Praying hard for your mom.
Posted by: stef | October 16, 2007 at 10:28 PM
Praying here also.
Posted by: KatieButler | October 16, 2007 at 11:03 PM
I'm praying for your sweet mother and all of the Gunthers. May God's peace be with you all.
Posted by: Ann C. | October 16, 2007 at 11:05 PM
I'm so sorry, Alice! Your mom and you and your family are in my prayers.
Posted by: Courtney | October 16, 2007 at 11:16 PM
Alice, I'm so sorry to read this news. You and your mother have our heartfelt prayers.
Posted by: Kristen Laurence | October 16, 2007 at 11:19 PM
Continuing to pray for your dear mother, and may your Dear Mother continue to take care of all of you. xo
Posted by: Kimberlee | October 16, 2007 at 11:24 PM
Alice,I am so very sorry. I was upbeat about your Mom after the first post. We will be praying. I will let Caleb know tomorrow (late here in Chicago) he will pray without ceasing for her! We will offer up our week for your Mom and all of you. XOXO
Posted by: Marybeth | October 16, 2007 at 11:26 PM
Prayers for your precious Mom going up from down here in TX! Love to ALL of you!
Posted by: betty | October 16, 2007 at 11:34 PM
Sending lots of prayers for your Mom, you and your family.
Leona
Posted by: Leona | October 17, 2007 at 12:14 AM
Sending up prayers right now. I know how difficult it is to watch your mom in this way and I pray she is well again very soon.
Posted by: Mirissa | October 17, 2007 at 12:20 AM
Alice, I'm praying for healing for your Mom, and peace and strenth for your family. God bless.
Posted by: Sarah | October 17, 2007 at 12:25 AM
Prayers going up for your mother Alice.
Blessings,
Sherry
Posted by: sherry | October 17, 2007 at 12:31 AM
I'm praying for your mother. My husband's grandmother had a stroke a few years ago and has nearly completely recovered due to advancements in stroke treatment. This will be a very difficult time for your family but I pray that God will give you peace.
Blessings,
Rebecca
Posted by: Mrs. Happy Housewife | October 17, 2007 at 08:32 AM
I'll be praying for your mom, Alice! (((HUGS)))
Posted by: Nissa | October 17, 2007 at 08:52 AM
Alice-we are praying here.
Posted by: Colleen | October 17, 2007 at 08:58 AM
Praying here.
Posted by: Rachel | October 17, 2007 at 09:17 AM
Praying for you all.
Posted by: Jeanne Marie | October 17, 2007 at 09:40 AM
Praying for you all, Alice.
Posted by: helene | October 17, 2007 at 10:32 AM
I am very sorry Alice, I am praying. Clarice
Posted by: clarice | October 17, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Praying and offering my day for your mother.
Posted by: Jennifer in TX | October 17, 2007 at 04:12 PM
Alice, your family, especially your dear mother, remain in our prayers.
Posted by: Dawn | October 17, 2007 at 05:08 PM
Praying here, Alice.
Posted by: Elizabeth H | October 17, 2007 at 05:29 PM
praying Alice, for all of you...
Posted by: lisa | October 17, 2007 at 08:47 PM
Was stopping by to see if there was an update. Continuing to pray.
Posted by: Theresa ♥ | October 17, 2007 at 08:49 PM
Praying here for your mom, Alice.
Posted by: JoAnna | October 17, 2007 at 11:19 PM
You have my heart-felt prayers, Alice. Consider yourself covered in hugs of comfort, along side Our Lady.
Posted by: Chari | October 18, 2007 at 12:09 AM
Be assured of my prayers for your mother and for your family as well.
Posted by: Lillian | October 18, 2007 at 12:49 AM
Praying many prayers, Alice.
Posted by: Donna | October 18, 2007 at 03:35 PM