Wind Sprints, Pool Sharks, "Coach" and the Royal James Road Trip

Young Nancy and I arrived at the hospital this evening and Frieda was awake. She was listening to music and just kind of hanging out. The TV was on, but nothing that was particularly appealing to her. She indicated that she had been through some rehab work that was tiring for her. Of course it would be. She had also sat in the chair in her room again. She indicated that doing those things was tough and had run her through the ringer.
My parents had come by on their way to Washington early in the afternoon and Frieda grinned really big when I asked her about them coming. She then pointed at a card. It was a card that they had brought with them. I thought that was a great connection.
Frieda stuck her hand out for me to take it. She squeezed very tightly and just looked more "down" than frustrated to me. I asked her if she was feeling down and bummed out and she shook her head yes. I asked if she was just upset over the whole situation and she shook her head yes to that question as well. Nancy took her other hand and we both just tried to ask questions that would help her get her feelings out. It must be SO hard to be such a verbal person, as Frieda is, and not be able to talk. She sure tries though! And it will be a matter of time before she's re-fitted with something in her trach that will enable her to begin trying to talk again. What a welcome sound that will be!!
I asked if she felt sore...yes. I asked if it felt like the first day of basketball practice and she had been given 25 "wind sprints" to run. She grinned and nodded YES. I told her about an email I got from Dottie Osmun about playing tennis and what a determined player she is. Frieda loved that! And nodded yes. I believe that wonderfully competetive spirit of hers will shine right through this.
That took me to a REALLY FUNNY story. A couple of years ago, on Marsha's birthday, and Dave and Marsha Shirk, Frieda, Wayne and me loaded the Shirkmobile and made a road trip to The Royal James in Beaufort to dine on hotdogs and shoot pool! (Oh yeah...we're just high fallutin' like that!!!) Anyway, we had a blast. And I mean a BLAST! It's one of those times you just laugh until your stomach literally aches, but you keep laughing anyway.
Frieda was VERY serious in her pool playing. Me? Well, I mostly laughed and scratched. (The cue ball of course!!!) One of the, let's say, "local" pub attendees began to watch my lack of sincerity in my pool game. Before I knew it, I had a COACH. This salty old lager filled fellow accepted his role of "coach" with great honor. As Frieda played SERIOUS pool, I continued to rely on the careful instruction of my now named "COACH." Frieda, Nancy and I laughed as I recounted that story. Frieda was grinning and shaking her head at me. At the end of the evening at The Royal James, Marsha (the elected photojournalist---maybe that's where Andrea gets it from!) was taking pictures of Frieda, me and "Coach." Frieda was rolling her eyes and grinning when I said, "Can you believe we let that man hug us for a picture?????" She clearly remembered...and NO, She couldn't believe we did that. I'd say it had been a day or 10 since he'd run under any water faucet, but there we were striking a pose and making a huge deal of this "tournament" that Frieda mopped us up with. It's a really funny memory that I'll never forget. Good ol' "Coach." He didn't do squat for my pool game, and of course, Ms. Determination took the "trophy", but I did get in a few good shots. Marsha and I didn't take it nearly as seriously as Frieda, Dave and Wayne basically just laughed at us girls, but that story illustrates Frieda. Anything she attempts. She's GOING to do well at it, even if it's just playing around. It's the core of her being. That will be a huge factor in Frieda's recovery. Her fierce competetive nature will be her best characteristic in plans for recovery ahead.
Sandy, Frieda's younger brother called tonight and I put my phone on speaker. Frieda knew exactly who it was and was shaking her head at his fishing stories. She was giving him looks that said, "Yeah right Sandy. You just keep dreaming." That was a hoot. Then the sheriff called. Frieda grinned and was so happy to hear his voice.
My heart was so warmed watching her "talk on the phone."
I know that Frieda understands and realizes what has happened to her. Young Nancy talked about the next phases of her recovery with her, which includes moving to a room that is especially for stroke patients and includes intensive rehab. Frieda listened intently. That will be for several weeks according to the doctor today, but the upside of that is that once all that is finished, the goal is for Frieda to GO HOME!! The doctor told Young Nancy that she felt that was a great goal. I asked Frieda if she was ready to get into her big blue recliner and get back to Broad Street and I got a vehement YES.
Over the coming days, Frieda will experience more thoughts and feelings than any of us can imagine. But, knowing she's a fighter, not a quitter is powerful. She's not one to sit back and let someone else do the work. (We all know that, don't we?) So, while Frieda is adjusting to what has happened to her, I would bet cold hard cash that she's also plotting on the best way to get past it all too. She might not like it at all, and it's not going to be an easy, overnight task, but you can believe she's going to work hard to put this event behind her.
Just remember...it will be four weeks tomorrow. Check back on those blogs versus what I'm describing for you recently. You'll see Frieda shining right through, even in the most fearful times, we all carried FRIEDA'S strength in our hearts and never lost faith that she would survive and get better.
Everyone who has read this blog has had a MAJOR part of Frieda's recovery process. You have all been a part of "the team" and the teamwork we all share with Frieda has supported her. I want us to continue to do so. We will all be the benefactors of all the great things Frieda Hudson still has to offer this world.
More tomorrow!!! I'm off to bed now...and still humming that tune in my head from this morning's blog! LOL! Ain't life grand?
As for this stroke Frieda Hudson, it won't be long before you're sinkin' the 8 ball!!!
WE LOVE YOU FRIEDA!!!!

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