TSMSS - Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine

I hope you all have had a great week. Today I am sharing one of my top favorite songs. I was looking for a song but I could not think of any other as this one flooded my thoughts. From my past, however means so much more to me now.

"This is my story, this is my song,

PRAISING MY SAVIOR ALL THE DAY LONG"

Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine performed by Third Day

"Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine"
written by Fanny J. Crosby, 1873

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, wash'd in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight:
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.


This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest:
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Fill'd with His goodness, lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long."

Praising God!
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Hemorrhagic Stroke and health issues

I am not a medical doctor nor have any degree in the medical field. I have my experience of a hemorrhagic stroke and what I have learned by having day to day effects of the stroke. I will not explain everything but to give you awareness as to what can happen when a person does not take care of themselves, like I did.

Strokes affect approximately 795,000 a year, new and re-occurring, 1 in every 18 deaths are because of a stroke, in America alone.
"It's the No. 3 cause of death behind diseases of the heart and cancer" in America. (statistic from the American Heart Association - http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/123/4/e18) For more statistics see website journal or American Heart/Stroke Association.

There are two types of strokes, Ischemic (blood clots) and Hemorrhagic (bleed - ruptured blood vessel). Even among the types there are several ways the stroke can happen as there are many blood vessels in the brain leading to different parts of the brain.
So I had a stroke, November 25, 2009, that is classified as a bleed (Hemorrhagic) but even more so the bleed was deep. *another statistic "Hemorrhagic stroke accounts for about 13 percent of stroke cases." 13% - not that many if looking at the whole picture.
The bleed as I was told was deep and there was nothing they could do without creating more damage to me to make it stop. However, I was lucky! My bleed stopped before I had my CT Scan (Computerized axial tomography) done and the bleed was not constant but boy did that do more damage then your normal cut.
In my last update post I asked if anyone had a question. Most have replied to blog about daily things. I will have to think as I really lead a boring life.
I walk to A - B and sometimes C and D. *chuckles*

Clint from Lyrics of Love and Lore writes: Is there medication that can help prevent strokes like you have experienced?

No and yes - No if you are healthy and have no need for medicine and your doctor has given you a low risk. Strokes affect any age, male or female, healthy or unhealthy, does not discriminate even if medical field puts age limits. But the healthier the better chance to not have a stroke or any other health illness.Yes, medication if there are health issues that need to improve. Improving your health helps to lower your risk for a stroke.

For my stroke, High Blood Pressure was the culprit. I did not keep up with my blood pressure nor did I have money or insurance for many years to keep my health in check. So yes, medicine would have helped my chances if my blood pressure was monitored. My blood pressure was so high at the time of my stroke that there was no measurement for me. By the end of all that went on in the first two months after my stroke, I was on four blood pressure medicines. 4!! Ouch! For the last 8 months I have been on three and more stable but still need to be monitored.

If you have not been to a doctor in the last year or have regular check ups, I urge you to have a complete physical and blood work done and know your numbers. Blood Sugar, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Weight etc. If you do not have insurance look around for free tests and doctors/clinics or ones that have pay plans. Just get checked!

I am improving but still limited use of right hand/arm and right leg. It's not fun and not anything I would want you all to go through.

I forgot to mention last update that my husband and I have started Weight Watchers. I cannot exercise that much so watching what I eat is so important especially if I am going to lose weight.
I hate to admit what a weigh but I started at 235 last Sunday but I am at 226 for the first week. We both did well and are really having fun counting our points and holding each other to this plan of eating healthier.

Time for dinner so I better go for now. Thanks for reading. Hope you are having a great week. God bless you!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Trust And Obey/The Solid Rock

Praising God!
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July

Hi All! I hope that you all are having a good month. I haven't kept up with my updates as much as I would like but there really isn't much going on here. We are having very hot days and that means I don't go anywhere unless I must leave our apartment. Talking 100+ temps the last 3 weeks if not more, I stopped counting. We have at least another week if not more according to our weather crew. I'm praying for relief!
School starts August 1st and registration is this week but there are issues at my daughter's new school. They are working on changes to school and getting the A/C working. No teachers have been assigned yet nor is there a bus stop. But kiddo is having some fun today at the local pool with a friend and his family. Pool, snacks and plenty of water! I'm glad she gets to do something even though it has been a hot summer.

As for my therapy, there is a hold so I'm doing what I can at home, daily tasks and trying to do what I remember. Progress is slow but to be honest - I would rather read my Bible and soak up God's word. My day goes so much better when I have spent time reading, asking questions and filling my mind with the Lord. Of course I need to balance my activities and I try. I spend some time on the computer in the afternoon/evening, catching up on blogs/facebook. I just can't get enough of God's word!
Progress - I was going to post some pictures but have not transferred them to the computer so I will tell you instead. I'm walking more without the cane in our apartment. I still have days where I need a little more stability but there has been less days. My husband's days can be filled with work so there are days that I need to take care of me by myself so another progress is - showers independently. Yes I use a chair but it's so nice not to wait on others. I make sure everything I need is in their place and I'm set. I feel good about my foot/stance getting in the shower and can actually use my right hand! Now to work on standing longer - not fun, muscles get tighter the longer I stand. I can feel some muscles but I don't have the outside feeling at least not fully. A little hard to explain that I can feel some things but not everything and not all the time. Makes for difficulties doing regular everyday tasks.

Having a stroke that affects many functions is the most difficult thing I have done in my life and I urge everyone to keep your health in check. I thank God for allowing me to be here and tell others!
So my question is - is there anything you want to know about? I sometimes don't know what to write.
You can e-mail me at sbatterton@gmail.com  or just leave a comment if you wish. I would like to know if there is something you wish to know about me or my blog etc.

Have a great weekend and try to stay cool!

Prayer requests -
1. That our daughter's school comes together and that the first week goes as smooth as possible.
2. The weather will rain or have some relief for those in drought.
3. For my husband - unspoken. God's direction and favor.
4. For my continued progress - feeling to fully return in right side, balance and use of functions, right hand and foot to work correctly, muscles to release when at rest.

God Bless,

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - The Lord's Prayer

The Lord's Prayer performed by Charlotte Church

Praising God!
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Would you? part 2

Please read "Would you part 1" if you have not read the first post.

The lady returned another day, almost in the exact condition if not worse. The young mother was outside with some family members when they were approached. The young mother, not knowing what to do, went back inside the house, leaving her family to deal with this stranger. The mother did this action of running, thinking to herself that her family can deal, they are wiser. They would know what to do. The young mother didn't stay to listen or even think. After all was said and done, pow! A thought smacked her in the face! A thought she will never forget.

"Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away."

Matthew 5:42 NKJV

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward them for what they have done." Proverbs 19:17 NIV

You have a loaf of bread and two jars of peanut butter, I thought. You have food, why didn't you look? I had a fear that stopped me from helping. A fear that comes from the media and word from others. She isn't the first nor last I have seen that I could have helped. Most on the street and yes scary but still needs help. Each situation is unique but still have a need. I could tell you more about the people on the street but for now, just think.

Would you? Would you turn away someone that needs help? Would you remember that you have food in your pantry that you can share? Would you have a loaf of bread or some leftovers? Would you take the time to talk with the lady and find out her situation, heat, cooking supplies or how they normally get food? Would you sit with her, talking, sharing life? Would you think about how you can help? Would you share Jesus?

Would you? part 1

The wind was blowing through the palm trees and across the road, behind the trees, the river had white cresting waves. Not to hot but not cold, warm, sunny day. The slight breeze touching the bushes ever so slightly, but enough.

The road winded with the river side, sections at a time, each turn and curve. Houses could be seen mostly on the west side of the road but some buildings on the east side hid the river from the view of the road.  A road that was used occasionally by a stray car, bicyclers from the nearby college or the locals walking their morning or late afternoon walk.

On this particular day the traffic was next to none. Inside a house, built by one of God's faithful men many years ago, a young mother and her daughter were tending to daily activities. The front door had a frosted glass that the young mother could see a reflection coming up the driveway. She did not hesitate to wait for whoever was walking on the property. Maybe it would be someone she knew or maybe a stranger. She never knew until the door was opened.

The mother opened the door... another lady was walking up the sidewalk to the porch. She was tall and slender with tattered clothes clinging to her frail looking body. Her light dark skin on her face was matted with her dark black hair, a few strands hanged but it was not the look that caught the mother off guard. A look she had seen many times in her life but usually from the car. It was the stench that was being blown towards the house. A very strong smell of dirt, grime, decomposed food, so strong the mother thought she was going to be sick.

"May I help you?" the mother asked hoping the lady would not come any closer. The lady stopped at the edge of the porch, "I know I smell but I live nearby and" she paused getting something out of her pockets. In her right hand she held an ID, dirty and in the left hand some coins. "Here is my ID if you want to see." She started to hand to the mother but the mother stopped her. "It's okay I do not need to see I believe you." The lady then held out her left hand, "These are yours I found on the property", turning to point up and down the road. "You keep them" the mother did not want to touch nor handle. Just wanted the lady to hurry up and leave. "I have children at home and need some food. I do not have much change" the lady said as she started to tell the mother a little bit about her situation, no work, no food, several children. The mother, still wanting to leave, told the lady she did not have any cash and having no work herself. She was unsure of the lady's story so she told the lady of the places she knew to get help and sent her on her way. Feeling sorry but not thinking of what she really could do to help.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Victory in Jesus

Victory in Jesus performed by London Citadel Band and Susan Turner

Praising God!
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Then Sings My Soul Saturday

Battle Hymn of the Republic

America the Beautiful

Praising God!
Visit Amy's post here or join with us!