
Some of you have probably noticed that Alva has been missing since January 11. I spoke with her daughter Sue on the phone this morning who gave me permission to let you all know what's going on with her.
While riding the bus home from a doctors appointment for her breast cancer, Alva had a pretty large stroke and fell down. She was rushed to the hospital where she required stitches in the back of her head to close the wound. She was found to have no movement at all on one side of her body, and no speech. She spent 11 days in the hospital where therapists were able to get her to walk a bit, feed herself and say a couple of sentences.
She's now been transferred from San Francisco to Sacramento to an acute rehab hospital for intensive occupational and physical therapy of 3 hours per day. Sue is hopeful she'll be there for 2 weeks and that she's able to make more progress from where she's at currently. She's nowhere near ready to text or speak on the phone at this point, says her daughter. Alva is upset as her worst fear has come true. Dying With Dignity is no longer an option since her cognitive functions have been compromised by the stroke.
We know Alva is an atheist, so is her daughter, who told me she's been praying for her mom to heal from this terrible event. I've been praying for her a lot lately. If you are a person who prays, please do so now on Alvas behalf. Let's ask God to restore her ability to communicate, as she does so beautifully. To begin commenting again on Agingcare to offer people hope when they feel hopeless. Let's ask God to offer ALVA hope now that our dear friend is feeling hopeless. Let's also pray for her longtime partner who's scared and lost without her.
Sue will call me again in 2 weeks when she returns to California. I'll post an update when I hear from her.
Thank you all for your prayers.
Alva as we know her although really only from forum but she along with several others are more helpful that we can often express or appreciate.
I hope she knows that she is helpful beyond words and let’s pray for her recovery not just because of that but I am sure she is beautiful human being.
So even as I am stubbornly agnostic I will pray for dear AlvaDeer.
I so hate to hear this news, and most certainly will be praying for her and her family. As you know all to well Lea, God does answer our prayers, so let's all flood Gods throne room with prayers for Alva.
Please continue to keep us posted on any updates.
I'm not a religious person (agnostic) but I'm nonetheless sending prayers for Alva's recovery.
Sending prayers and love to Alva
thank you for letting us know xx
Fawnby
Alva is well prepared.
As a fellow non-believer, I will keep Alva in my prayers, or in my thoughts.
We certainly miss her valued wisdom here.
Didn’t her partner have stroke himself in the past year? I hope he’s OK on his own.