The prognosis was not good: either dead or, at the least, paralyzed and unable to speak. Well, neither of those things occurred. I was moving and talking when I awoke in recovery and the doctors— there were five on my neurosurgery team— declared me a miracle defying statistical odds. The huge aneurysm was above my right eye in the right temporal lobe, our motor center; in fact, it blew just as they clamped it for removal.

What surprised doctors even more was the fact I laid on my sofa for five days, without dying, before my neighbor Judy insisted on taking me to the hospital. Ironically, I had been diagnosed with degenerative vascular disease when age 23 and declared a candidate for major stroke or aneurysm or cerebral hemorrhage; thus, it was nothing short of a miracle I had made it to 61 before predictions came true .

My doctors stated that most people don't know they have a brain aneurysm until it's too late. Asked what I thought was wrong with me, I responded with, "a weird migraine." It was different than any migraine I'd ever experienced, most of which pain I would have rated a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10 or like being hit by a Mac truck. This headache, however, came on suddenly and unexpectedly; so, heed doctors' warnings about sudden unusual headaches.

In my case, it felt as though my ears inexplicably closed up to cause pressure. Almost instantly, an explosive pain hit the base of my skull and engulfed my entire head, followed by what I can describe only as mini-explosions traveling down my spine all the way to the tailbone: this latter was blood spilling from the brain into the spinal column.

When asked to rate the pain, I compared it to being hit by a 747 jet plane; so big it makes a Mac truck look like a toy. This pain never stopped. Still, I went into that hospital declaring God's protective wings over me and telling the doctors that very fact.

And blessings? I've always been blessed by MS, Lupus, and even this aneurysm. Because God's Holy Spirit has shown me God's ways, I do not take man's medications for the two diseases or migraines and I eat as the book of Genesis indicates: all natural. So, I've been blessed with only episodes rather than steady decline.

As for the aneurysm, so many blessings came out of it that I hardly can count them all. I received calls from poet friends from all over the country as well as flowers: thank you, Patricia. My daughter quickly arrived from Oregon and my ex-daughter-in-law flew in from Texas, this latter of whom I'd not seen in 11 years, though we often talk on the phone. My friend of almost 39 years, Anita, flew up from Texas, my surrogate granddaughter from Florida and another from Texas. Local friends also surrounded me. I'm not sure I realized just how blessed I am with such a volume of friends and family until this happened. Even my son called the house!

My daughter took care of my business, my home and gardens and my ferrets; then reported more blessings! María said the first two days she was here, the phone rang nonstop with calls inquiring after my health and stating what I meant spiritually to each caller from all over the world: Africa, Australia, England, Germany, New Zealand, Canada, and all across the United States. This astounded me, for I had no idea my mission for Christ had such an impact! What a blessing this was, for it confirmed to me that I must remain here to continue His work!

The obvious blessing, of course, was the fact God assured that I did not fit into any medical statistics! And, obviously, Jesus is not ready for me to rest until shortly before His glorious return. The less obvious blessing in all the health issues I've grappled with since age 6, is each time Lucifer attacks my body, unbeknownst to him he confirms that I belong to our Father Creator and our Saviour Christ. After all, Satan has no need to attack those of his.

The greatest blessing, from my perspective, was from the beginning— even the five days I lay on my sofa— I considered this trauma an opportunity to witness of and for God and His Son Jesus: to my neighbor, then the doctors and nurses and even my roommate!

In the beginning, it was proposed that I might be feeling a bit of fear and, perhaps, even a slight panic. I recall speaking to Anita within minutes of the explosive event, during which time we immediately began praying: in effect, putting God in charge. Despite the most horrendous pain I'd ever felt in my life, I commented, "I'm not the least afraid or in a panic. What I feel is a foot-stomping rage at Satan! He screwed up my plans for the day!" Little did I know he'd actually messed up my plans for the next few months!

Another blessing was one of the doctors on my team, a young resident. Before surgery, I had advised them to note on my chart "DNR— do not resuscitate— and NO LIFE SUPPORT MACHINES." When asked if I had that in writing, I responded pointedly, "No, but each one of you is a witness to what I just said with my own mouth; therefore, you are legally bound to honor my wishes. Also, my children know this is my desire; so, if you don't honor it, my daughter will be all over you like fleas on a dog!" The neurosurgeon grinned and instructed that my chart be so noted.

Nevertheless, that young resident was obviously troubled and visited my room several hours later to ask me why. I advised, "You nor any other man will bear the burden of my life or death. I shall live or die solely by the hand of God; and, I shall not have my family put through the trauma of life support machines, et cetera." He pondered my words, then looked into my eyes with a soft smile and said, "I understand."

Of course, the doctors were a bit evasive after surgery when I told them the right side of my throat was sore, "Oh, well we will put you on some antibiotics." Naturally, it was sore because they did have me on a breathing machine during surgery and had removed it before I awoke. I had to laugh when my daughter told me this after I arrived back home later; after all, that was typical procedure for this type of surgery.

And, the only disservice those doctors did? Well, while they had my face pealed back, the least they could have done was give me a facelift in the bargain! Well, in a way they did the right side but left the left side sagging.

I am recovering slowly, living with pain for a while longer, still do not have full use of my right eye but it is opening a little more as time passes. I do know that if I had not gained strength and endurance over the last two years, there would have been a very strong possibility that I would not yet be walking or the outcome could have been dramatically different.

So, I share with all of you: get plenty of exercise, fresh air and sunshine, eat healthy live foods, pay attention to anything unusual going on in your body. And, most of all, put your life in God's capable hands: after all, He is the great physician, knows these bodies quite well as our Creator, is the giver and taker of life, and His timing is perfect. May all of you readers be as blessed as I have been blessed!  

Update:
In 2006, I broke my back from a standing position, then fell. In 2007, I had to move 45 miles to Shelton, WA, into HUD subsidized housing.

Satan started a whole new round of torment: disability discrimination by the apartment Management company and site manager as well as DSHS doctors and their local hospital. Well, God set me down right in the middle of senior and elderly abuse by Federal and State agencies. It is an all to common abuse but uncommon because no one speaks. Well, God knew I would not keep my mouth shut!

As the largest demographic in this nation, we need this horror brought to the public's awareness. Please read the series of 4 articles and pass them on to everyone, including your Senators, Congressmen, Governors, and media: "Uncommon Common Abuse of Seniors & Elderly" found at the link below. When you get there, scroll down the page to MY LISTS and click on "Critical Articles," then click on each series. Feel free to print them out, email to others, and so forth.