On Saturday evening of August 2nd this past week, I was crouched low trying to put a frying pan away in a bottom cabinet and came up too fast and felt a dizzy spell, but when I saw a strange flash in my eyesight it got scary. The counter seemed to split into two images and would not line up. I then lost control of my right arm and started slurring my words while hanging onto the counter, slowly headed for the floor. There was a trapped feeling in my mind because what I was wanting to do would not work.
I kept trying to put a pan lid away but my right arm would not go in the direction I wanted it to go. I felt a heat-wave start to go through my head and I thought, “I am having a stroke.” I went to my knees and coughed hard and raised my arms up straight to try and get control. I called my wife who had just asked if I was OK. I said, “nooooo” while slurring. I thhhink I’mmm haavving a strooookkke came out of my mouth in slow motion. My wide-eyed wife jumped up and started to pray out loud with me “IN JESUS NAME!!!!” Over and over again we kept saying His name. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
That was the first wave of the attack. The left side of my face felt like it was melting away, but later my wife said it was the right side that had slackened into a droop and my face was pure white. We kept claiming the name of Jesus in the hope He would heal the situation. Phil. 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.
There was a rush of odd thoughts, but the fear was being replaced with a sense of peace. Then during a second wave of the TIA I was afraid again, but again a grace of peace started to build with the idea that I was well with God and that salvation is true. An odd statement, but knowing I was saved at that moment gave me a hope to fall on my knees and pray. I started to come back to a form of normality, but shook-up.
I remembered a quote I had read that morning. We are never taller than when we are on our knees praying to God. My tongue still felt like a dentist had frozen it, but my thinking was clear. That became a new fear, my thinking was right but my arm and eyes were doing what they wanted without my control. Prov. 3:25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes. 26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Then suddenly it began to subside.
After five hours at the hospital and enduring every type of test, nothing was found to be wrong with me that evening. However, a few days later – after more tests – there was something found that the Doctors believe caused the stroke, and that is AF. (Atrial Fibrillation) Praise God and, again I say, Praise God, because now I know what to pray for and what healing I need. Yes, I will also proceed with the recommendations from the medical establishment to stay stroke-free and, more importantly, I will build my faith for the complete healing of my heart.
Forgive everyone and everything you have to forgive. Let go of all the guilt your martyred complex is hanging on to, and enter into the joy of the Lord because that is worth having. Another thing that now blesses me is knowing the importance of a clean and clear conscience. That was such a comfort during that frightful event, and yet peace prevailed eventually because of knowing the Prince of Peace who also knows me. 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Wishing you u a complete healing. Praying for that miracle 🙂
Praying for you dear brother.
I am happy you are alive.
Praise the Lord for His hand on you.
Your true heart came through … thinking of another … that is what Jesus did on the cross … He thought about you, (us).
God Bless you with good health and a strong beating heart.
Love and Blessings
Kathleen
So thankful you are here to tell your story. You have many more stories to tell. May The Lord continue to heal and bless you and keep you in good health. Many blessings to you and your dear wife. That must have been so terrifying for her too.
Norm!! This is crazy! So relieved you are alive! Hugs to you and Celeste xoxo – Bernadette