Yes, I Believe in Miracles

I wanted to share a story of a miracle that I was blessed to witness last week. I attribute this miracle to the intercession of Katelyn Roker, as I asked for her prayers for this woman on the eve of the 3rd anniversary of her death and the miracle occurred on October 22, the anniversary of her death and the feast of St. Pope John Paul II.

 

On Tuesday, Oct 21 I was working in the ICU.  Around noon I got a patient from the ER.  An unfortunate elderly woman who had a hemorrhagic stroke (big bleed in her head).  The doctors talked to the family in the ER about admitting her to "comfort care" as the possibility of survival was pretty slim at best.  The daughter couldn't accept this and wanted everything done that could be done, which, in her case wasn't much.  She wasn't a candidate for surgery or transfer due to her age, the size of the bleed and the poor neurological signs she was exhibiting.

Throughout the day I watched slowly deteriorate neurologically.  By the end of my shift she was having small seizures and breathing abnormally.  I was honest with the daughter, the grandson and his wife.  I was so sad because they wept so uncontrollably, but I told them that any family that wanted to visit needed to come ASAP because all the signs indicated that she would not survive this.  I padded it by saying if she miraculously recovered they could be here to celebrate that.  But in my heart, I didn't believe she would last the night.

 

On the way home I prayed for her and the family.  I asked Mary to wrap her mantle of peace around this family and love them.  I asked Katelyn, who is on my mind daily and particularly that night, to pray for "grandma".  I left it at that.  Two "simple" requests.

Needing closure, I called the ICU the next morning.  The nurse told me she opened her eyes at 6 am and told her nurse good morning and then tried to climb out of bed.  I thought he was pulling my leg.  He wasn't.  She had all her cranial nerves intact and the only question she answered wrong was that George Washington was the president. He gave her credit anyway. 

Her memory is not intact but she knows her family and has a smile that lights up the room.  The kids arrived from their destinations and they had a family reunion of sorts in the hospital.  They were joyous and she touched everyone that came to know her.  She was discharged from the hospital Monday, a little worse for the experience, but still here to bring joy to her family.

 

Just when you least expect it and most need it, God will remind you that He is in charge.  Be Not Afraid.