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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.

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Thank you for that difficult news.
(11)
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Thank you so much, lealonnie. I'll pray.
(9)
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Oh, lea - it could happen to any of us.. Thank you so much for being the info conduit. I will definitely pray with you for Alva's healing and restoration. May God have mercy on her. "The best laid plans..."
(9)
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That is horrible.
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.
(8)
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Thank you for letting us know. I have been hoping, and praying, for her, and that someone would have contact to let us know how she was.
(8)
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So sorry to hear this, hoping for better news ahead
(7)
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When I speak to Sue next, I'm going to ask for an address so we can flood her with cards. Maybe send them all to me and I'll forward them on. I am sure she'd like to know we're all thinking of her.
(11)
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That would be great Lea, or even if daughter can create different email so we can send electronically wishes or cards as well.
(7)
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I have been wondering why we haven't seen her on here lately but know in the past that she's taken breaks from Aging Care, although she's always told us that she would be taking one.
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.
(8)
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So sorry to hear this
(8)
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I'm so sorry to hear this. Thank you for letting us know.
(6)
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So very sorry to hear this news. My maternal grandmother and mother both had strokes, so it’s a fear of mine and can truly strike anyone without warning. I hate Alva is dealing with this and will be praying for her in the days ahead. May she have healing and peace
(8)
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Oh my... thanks so much for the details. I've been praying for Alva all along and will ramp it.
(7)
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Thanks for letting us know. Man plans and god laughs (sigh) :(
(7)
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Thanks so much for the update. I'm just heartbroken to hear about this. I always look forward to Alva's contributions on the forum. I'm the same age and have always felt a kinship with her and her approach to life and caregiving. Though the stroke sounds severe, the fact that she recovered speech and some other abilities so quickly is hopeful. Though full recovery may be too much to expect at our age, at least having a decent quality of life seems possible.

I'm not a religious person (agnostic) but I'm nonetheless sending prayers for Alva's recovery.
(9)
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So sorry to hear this . Thanks for letting us know . Being another agnostic here who prays at times, I will be now .
(7)
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So sorry to hear this! I will be praying for Alva.
(4)
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I am so sorry to hear this
Sending prayers and love to Alva
thank you for letting us know xx
(5)
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I had wondered why she was absent. Thanks so much for keeping us in the loop. I have really come to trust her word and look forward to her responses. Wishing a speedy recovery! Love and Prayers.
(5)
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Lea, thank you for the update on this horrific circumstance. I miss her, and she will be in my prayers. If anyone can pull through this, Alva will! I send Alva and Sue loving thoughts and will hope for further news as it becomes available.
Fawnby
(7)
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Oh no. Thanks for letting us know.
(4)
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Not what I wanted to read at all.

Alva is well prepared.
(4)
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I am so sad to hear this as I know this would be one of her worst fears, based on her conversations here. I am sending healing thoughts and trust that she is keeping those therapists on their toes. It's a very good sign that she's at a rehab and getting three hours of therapy daily.
(4)
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Oh no. I’m planning a trip to San Francisco next month and had planned to reach out to her to see if we could connect in person. She’s a smart and determined woman and I think that those qualities will help her make the most of the PT during the critical days and weeks after her stroke. I’m so glad someone here had a connection to her IRL family.
(7)
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Thank you lealonnie for the update.

As a fellow non-believer, I will keep Alva in my prayers, or in my thoughts.

We certainly miss her valued wisdom here.
(7)
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Lea, Thank you for the update. I did wonder where Alva was. I am a fan of her posts and read them all. I hope she comes through this okay. She will be in my thoughts and prayers.
(6)
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Yes, I had been wondering if something had happened. VERY unfortunately, it did. I have missed her since I think we often agree on the issues of the day. Like Alva, I'm an atheist (well, an atheist-leaning agnostic) so I don't pray. But every ounce of good will and positive thoughts are headed her way. I'm a fan! She's a woman I would like to meet, although at our ages (I'm 89), and the distance factor, that won't happen. She and I both support MAiD (medical assistance in dying) so I can understand that she must be devastated to realize that may no longer be an option. I would be.
(5)
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Sending many prayers!
(5)
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Yikes. Thanks for sharing. I have missed Alva’s no nonsense. She of anyone was aware of the odds. I feel for her though.

Didn’t her partner have stroke himself in the past year? I hope he’s OK on his own.
(4)
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Suzy, yes, Alvas partner had a stroke himself recently. He's fully healed because the clot was dissolved immediately at the hospital. I hope he's ok at home too.
(4)
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