Visited my friend today. The one with the probable stroke. She is both better and worse than I anticipated.
I expected far more physical issues. Inability to move, stand, walk, etc. Truth be told, she only had minor limitations there. Oh, she had no control over the right side of her body, but she was able to manipulate well enough to walk.
I did not expect her speech to be so bad. And that is what makes my heart hurt for her.
This friend is an incredibly articulate, brilliant, witty woman. To hear her struggle to form words and speak around a stutter broke my heart.
We spent a couple of hours together before it was evident exhaustion was overtaking her. Then I left, feeling angry.
Angry that this had happened to her. Angry that the doctors aren’t taking her seriously. Angry that those same doctors are very likely the reason she is messed up to begin with.
While I am endlessly grateful she is not worse than she is, I recognize that she has a long, hard slog ahead. And I wish her all the strength in the world to get through it.
