TUESDAY JULY 5, 2022 Larry's nurse Jen, said in 15 yrs in ICU, she'd never seen this before. Jason took photos of this little red finch, who kept hop, hop, hopping across Larry's window, he seemed excited to see him.

Hi. So, my head is buzzing, like I've been on a very long bumpy road trip, & the car won't stop. It seems like days, when it has only been since yesterday evening, that Larry had his craniectomy at (thank goodness) Royal Columbian Hospital. (A surgery done to remove a part of his skull in order to treat a stroke that caused his brain to swell & bleed. It was an emergency life-saving measure.)

His 1st stroke was revealed in a CT scan on July 1, an infarction of the brain that impaired his right peripheral vision. then the CT scan on July 2 revealing the clots I described in the last blog. So, his poor brain has taken a severe beating.

Today, Larry had another CT scan, post op: Shane was with me for the doctor's explanation as we looked at the image together, here is Shane's account of Doctor's explanation of CT scan since surgery last night. "I remember seeing the opening in the back of the skull and could see the swelling out of that. The ventricle (hole) was large so that meant swelling was reducing. He pointed to a spot and said dad would be blind in one eye. He explained about the area effecting his balance as in drunken walk. You asked about Hemi and doc said no he won't be. He may growl/grumble when he talks. The personality parts weren't touched, so he'll still be Dad. "

My response to Shane included:  Not sure though, with therapy, how many of the disabilities, ie walk & growl can improve. It sure would be crazy if Dad ended up at GF Strong. I actually feel better, seeing what you've written, rather than just hearing it. There's a lot of mending his poor body has to do, but Dad is very strong, in so many ways. Even now, hooked up and immobile, to me he still looks strong... & handsome! " 

Larry's ICU team is wonderful. A nurse is assigned to him 24 hrs a day. (2 x 12 hr shifts) I was invited to stay for the night, which I did. Jason & Shane have been with me most of the time, as well as sisters & brothers. Larry has not been conscious since before he left from Ridge Meadows by ambulance to RCH yesterday afternoon. I so appreciate when I am beside him, talking, singing, praying & mostly rubbing his feet, because they're not hooked up to anything & they're cold.

Our family doctor called after I got home. He's received all the reports & concurs with what Dr. Dusty said. He's great and offered that I could call him at anytime, even if it just for him to listen.

I just wanted to get this out, before I couldn't. I cannot answer messages or calls, so blog is it for now. So if you know someone who wants an update, this is it, so pls fwd www.catherinebowen.org to them. I can only do it from my computer at home, so it may be a while if I stay at the hospital overnight again.

I read messages to Larry & let him know how many prayers and good wishes are being sent to him. I know he hears and is strengthened by that.

God bless you! xoxo

I found this prayer the night before Larry had his stroke, July 1. I need not tell you what it means to us. I insert Larry's name with 'he' and 'him' for 'me & I'. I pray it for many others as well.

Just google 'The Most Powerful Healing Prayer' by St. Padre Pio. It is really Larry's prayer when I especially pray these words of the prayer: "Open any blocked arteries or veins and rebuild and replenish any damaged areas. Remove all inflammation an cleanse any infection."

(I'm not proof reading, so... so be it!)