Annie, thank you for providing updates. Things sound to be going as well as they could be, given the circumstances.

Will continue to send prayers to all. Try to take good care of yourself, too.

How great! Nice to be the agent of the reunion. :)

I know someone who had a similar chip installed. It's pretty miraculous because they can diagnose in real life rather than lab situations. Maybe have Ashley confirm that the monitoring is all set up right. The guy I know had to make a bunch of calls.

Best wishes for Ashley's recovery.

My best wishes for Ashley, too. The granddaughter of my friend had a stroke in utero so it happens at all ages. She is doing fine, age 13, with a slight foot dragging, very minor. Medical care is amazing today and I am glad that Ashley is the beneficiary. Healing thoughts to you and yours.

Annie, I will certainly keep Ashley, and all of your family, in my prayers. I am glad that it was a "minor" stroke, and that Ashley is coming home.

Oh my goodness, Annie! I don't check in here as often as I did in the past. I certainly wasn't expecting to see this news. Like others here, your family has been my family for a long time. Sending heartfelt love to all of you and strong healing thoughts for Ashley. Keep us posted. I mean Elery COULD have said something on FB. Sheesh.

Annie, I also tend to be a little cynical re excess testing/insurance and question why my cardiologist puts me through the same tests every few years when he always sees the same results. On the other hand, I welcome (hopefully) knowing that there are no additional complications. Most "normal" people don't have the opportunity to be checked out so thoroughly. So I say embrace it, even if you question the motivation.

Continued luck to her!

That is great news. I'm happy to hear it. Won't it be wonderful to see the girls faces when they see their mom coming home.

Sally

Praying that Ashley will have an uneventful recovery and get things corrected soon.

Annie, so happy to hear that Ashley is home and doing well. DH has had atrial fibrillation for 14 years. DH's new cardiologist wants to implant a chip in him, too. DH is contemplating whether to do it or not. He wore an external monitor for 2 weeks. It was a PITA since the leads had to be removed daily when he showered. I'll be curious to hear if Ashley got her chip and if she notices that it is there.

I wonder if pompous a** doctors know that their pompous-assedness doesn't inspire confidence, but has just the opposite effect - at least for me it does. My cousin-in-law was told by one of his med school professors that doctors need the 3 As to be successful: Accessibility, Affability, and Ability. I think some of them think Ability is sufficient and ignore the other two.

This has been such an interesting and caring post. It is wonderful that she has so many praying for her. My youngest son keeps telling me, "Mom, I got all my bad parts from you, I got bad eyes, sweat on my upper lip and nose and I worry too much" and then laughs. You have a lot of good in you to pass on, so heads up. Dcarch, just because you think you aren't a good prayer, prayers aren't always answered the way you want Maybe God was looking out for you. I hope the news continues to be good. God Bless. Barb

I am glad to see good news. I am also glad that the PA neurologist was wrong. I had one of those once. He was my only choice for thyroid at the time. He did know his stuff, but his dr patient manner left MUCH to be desired. I went to him for what I had to, for the short time I had to, and then it was good by rude obnoxious dr! Prayers continue for Ashley.

Dcarch, I am in total agreement with Barb. You may not think you are good at praying, but God answers our prayers in the way they need answered, but not always the way we want them answered. And I am sure, also, that your good thoughts and wishes are just as appreciated.

Tami

God always answers prayers. Sometimes He says yes, sometimes no, and a lot of the time, wait. I think the last one is the hardest to know, and to receive.

OMG...I am late to the thread , saw all the posts and went right to the end!!!

Thank God she has an early diagnosis and good care. Better she should know this now so it can be managed.

Lots of prayers and good thoughts to all of you

Sharon

Great to hear! And hopefully medical advances will be on her side.

Talking about the doctor's skills and knowledge...I went with my mother whenever she went to the doctor to make sure we followed through with any instructions or procedures. I mentioned getting another opinion; the nurse pointed to the diploma on on the wall. I said "that's great that he has a degree but how do we know that he didn't graduate at the bottom of his class?" No surprise that the doctor said that my mother should get another doctor if I continued to accompany her to her appointments.

Huge red flags. I kept going to doctors until I found one that agreed to make decision WITH me, not FOR me.

Great news that Ashley is home!

Positive thoughts definitely do make a difference, especially when they are expressed to the person they are intended for. I am sure you are good at relaying messages to Ashley from people here.

Doctors are not all created equal, which is why second opinions are helpful. Doctors are just as fallible as anyone else, and the ones who think they are not are the ones to be avoided. It is a very common practice for doctors to over-test, but you do not want to under-test either, which is why you need a doctor that you truly trust. I lived with a group of doctors/interns in San Francisco for a year or so and got a lot of first-hand insights from that experience. If Ashley works in the medical field, then she will understand what is best for her, I think. I would think that a competent doctor would welcome a second opinion, for if the first doctor is correct, then the second doctor will confirm that. I go to a medical group and therefore often get to have second opinions, but sometimes not often enough.

Gee, Annie! I'm sending prayers and positive thoughts as well as sending up smoke for Ashley and the entire family. Please keep us posted.

Annie, thank you for keeping us up to date. Wishing Ashley a quick and full recovery.

I just saw this now, what a trying time for your family: keep up your energy and thanks for the updates, I'm glad she is home and on the mend.

Still thinking about everyone, Annie.

When my father was hospitalized, one doctor (of the myriad) just came in, pulled a chair next to my dad's bedside and listened to/talked with him like a friend -- No clipboard, no writing, just listening, interjecting thoughtful questions, all the time in the world. He later told me that he learned more that way than any other:)

Cathy in SWPA

My computer has been down & I came back to read this. I'm mostly a lurker, but feel like I know you well. Sounds like Ashley is doing well, thank goodness. If I am reading correctly, sounds like a good thing to find out about the heart defect now so it can be corrected. Hope she continues on to good health. My DH has a minor stroke about 15 years ago, the doctors could find no real reason for it. They put him on baby aspirin & has been fine since.

I'm so glad to hear she's home. I bet that welcome home from the girls did more healing for her than anything even the best doctor could do. I'm keeping warm thoughts in my heart for her, the girls, you, and the whole family.

Sally

Hi Annie

haven't been on site for a long while & was very shocked when I read this about Ashley. Glad to hear she's home bet everyone is happy and she'll feel better being with her loved ones. I'll keep her and your entire family in my prayers. Wishing you all the very best

Oh my gosh, teotiki, I'm so, so, so happy to hear from you again!

She's still unsteady and has people lined up to be with her at home while Kevin goes back to work. I'll be there Monday but I talked to her on the phone today and she says she's just really tired and still struggles sometimes to find words for what she's thinking. She THOUGHT she was going back to work on Monday. Ahem. The doc says no, she'll be home next week and then decide. So Monday is my day, Tuesday the girls go to daycare and Kevin will check on her frequently while he works. Wednesday her friend Christine is coming to stay with her, Thursday is a recap of Tuesday and Friday we'll see how she feels for the weekend. Now I've got to figure out a "heart healthy" version of Beef Stroganoff, she wants some in the worst way. I have grass fed beef and low fat sour cream, and that's as far as I've gotten...

Annie

Awwww sending lots of love!

Glad to hear she's doing so well.

Holy COW!! I was away for about 10 days and was stunned to read about Ashley! I'm thrilled that she's home and has seemingly minor repercussions. Our Ashley... it's difficult to believe that this little powerhouse could have a stroke at such a young age. Nonetheless I'm sending heartfelt love and good thoughts for a miraculous recovery! It's a good thing that she has you all and her medical career to keep her in the know. What a year you all have had! xoxo

Yes, Ellen, it's been quite a year so far. Bud's seizures are still not quite under control, although he's much better. Amanda is better too, on her gluten free diet, since she was diagnosed as celiac. Elery's BIL passed away the end of June, my sister died in August, my stepmother is going back on dialysis 3 times a week, Elery had his hip replaced September 1 and now this. I'm feeling.....well.....tired. Somehow things all seem to happen at once, but this too, shall pass. The moral of the story, of course, is never take your health for granted. Ashley had no indicators at all and then, boom, and life changes. If she had symptoms, she didn't notice.

So, if I could just get everyone in my family healthy at once, I could get back to cooking!

Annie

Annie, I am glad Ashley is doing better. I had not seen that your sister, and Elery's BIL had passed away. Sending you all my sympathy. I continue to keep you all in my prayers.

Annie, you can frequently substitute yogurt for sour cream. I do it on potatoes and it works very well. Although I tried it in a sour cream cake and it was a miserable failure. I guess I shouldn't have used non-fat yogurt, lol. For something like Beef Stroganoff, it might work.

I'm so sorry so much has happened to you. It really does seem to happen in waves like that. Hang in there.

Sally

Annie, the truism that "Heath is Wealth" is really apt.

This recipe calls for reduced fat sour cream (I've used Daisy brand and there's no detectable difference between the full fat and the reduced one). Non fat versions are ick.

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/beef_stroganoff.html

OMG, Annie, I had no idea all that was going on in your family these days! I don't check in on the CF as often as I used to, and I must have missed all the news. I'm so sorry for the loss of your sister and BIL and for the health problems of your family members.

I know the worry must take a lot out of you, too, so please take good care of yourself. You've always been the strong one, doing all you can for everybody else, but you've got to do as the say on the airline safety cards: take care of yourself first, so that you can save others.

Continued best wishes, and gentle hugs,

Sue

Oh Annie, what you all have been through. So glad Ashley is home and has at least some answers. I had to chuckle when she wanted Strog. As young poor folks we oftén made fake strog ẃith grnd beef and mushroom soup with a spoon of sour cream if we were lucky. I generally think of strog as pretty heart healthy. Your good beef, stock, onions and some mushooms. Thickened ẃith cornstarch, it won't take a ton of the lowfat sour cream. You probably made it already though, smiles.

Sending plenty healing energy thataway. My best to Ashley, the girls, Kevin, and all of you.

Annie, I rarely drop in here, but for some reason decided to pop in today. My thoughts are with y'all. Wishing a speedy recovery for Ashley!

Will Ashley have to eat differently going forward? She is so young, I wouldn't think her condition would be diet or lifestyle-related?

John, the doctors didn't really think that the stroke was related to her diet or lifestyle, but rather was an issue related to the heart defect. However, they've put her on a "heart healthy" diet, so she is trying to cut the sodium and fat. Since they want her to wear the microchip for a minimum of 9 months before they decide the course of action, and she's already on cholesterol medication, they've told her it's a wise "precaution". Plus, I think any time you see a cardiologist, they're going to educate you on a heart healthy diet, it's an ingrained behavior for people in their profession. At any rate, eating less saturated fat and salt can't hurt her, and it's not painful, expensive or invasive, so she's going to give it her best shot.

Annie

That makes good sense. Regardless of the connection to her stroke - sounds like none - a healthy diet will be good for her in the long run. None of us stay young forever!

Annie, DH gets his microchip tomorrow. Wish I could get doc to program a GPS into it! HA!

And if she eats more healthy it will be a good example for her kids, because whatever heritable things she has, they have too.

Thanks Ellen for the email giving me a heads up. Adding my thoughts and prayers for Ashley. You've had a lot on your plate, Annie!

Just ask Ashley's hubby to not add to it by getting himself in trouble by shouting our family names in public places....'Ashley! Madison!' Just sayin'....

(((hugs)))

EJ! I meant to tell you, but it's been crazy busy. (sigh) Ashley and Kevin announce every detail of their life on Facebook, there's no privacy any more. That's why I don't do Facebook. And no, I won't mention your names. (grin)

I spent today with Ashley, she seems much better although she tires easily. She says she's going to try to go back to work next week....

Annie

Oh EJ......you do live up to your name....and I have missed you!!!! Ashley Madison indeed!!!

Well I'll be. I'd just about given up on you, EJ. Welcome back. Nice to see some others come out of the woodwork as well.

I am so sorry Ashley had to go through this. It does sound like it was a milder one and I pray she will make a full recovery. My husband, much older than Ashley has had two major strokes and deals with major problems each day. Keeping her in my prayers.

Sue

Oh Annie! Yikes! I'm just reading about this for the first time today. Glad Ashley is home and on the road to recovery. Somehow I get the feeling that no one in your family knows what it means to "take it easy." :) Sending healing thoughts her way. Please remember to take care of yourself as well!

Becky

add me to the list of well-wishers!! so sorry to hear all u are going thru, its very exhausting, mentally and physically., so take of yourself so u can take care of everyone else!!

a friend of mine, her son of 19, had a stroke out of the blue...they still have no real reason for it. he was in a major hospital in the city (PA). he recovered 100%, was very lucky!!!!!!! he will be monitored the rest of his life. it really can happen at any time to anyone for any reason.... so whoever said up-thread, Health is Wealth, is very smart indeed. we always say "if u have your health, you have it all"....

annie1992, my thoughts and prayers are with u and all your family, all the best!!!

always love reading your posts, BTW :)

EJ, I didn't get that at all, I had to go look up Ashley Madison, I knew it was something and couldn't remember what the heck it was! LOL And I don't even have an excuse, other than my thoughts have been in other places!

Annie

I have not read on this forum for a very long time but I remember Ashley and her wedding and....

Many thoughts and goodness sent your way.