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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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I am asking the moderators to close this thread down to further comments now.

I will update on a new thread when I hear again from Sue.

To all those who left respectful comments, thank you. Anyone wanting to send Alva a card, just PM me. I will forward unopened cards directly to her.

Moderators, please close this thread to further comments.
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Thank you Lea for the updates and encouraging words. Any and all speculation about our dear Alva, her choices and future should cease. Truth is none of us can prepare for every possible eventuality and we equally do not truly know what we might do in a given situation until faced with it. Sometimes we surprise ourselves. Faith is putting trust in what cannot be immediately seen, it’s not reserved for Christians. We can all have faith in the best outcome for our forum friend, minus guessing what that might need to be.
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Wow, answers to prayer. It's awesome that Alva is doing so well. She is a strong woman and many are praying for her.

I agree with you to pray that "Alva does recover her abilities to the degree that VSED is not an option for her." A big AMEN to that!!! Also that she come to know the Lord and that it is He who has spared her and is healing her.
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Oh I'm so glad to hear that she is doing better! It is true that sometimes you can recover a lot more than the medical team tells you at first. I understand it doesn't happen that way for all, but when it does happen it is something to celebrate.
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So happy to be on the prayer team for you Alva Deer!

Thank you Lealonnie for posting to let us all know about Alva!
Thanks to Alva's daughter, Sue for her kindness, and letting us know!

Continued prayers for all-you too Lealonnie.

Thank You, Lord, for answered prayers!

If Alva can do it, each of us can do it.
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Sue has given the okay for us to send Alva cards! She wants everyone to know she cannot speak well, but sends love!

Anybody who'd like to send Alva a card, PM me for my address. I'll send a batch of cards to Alva myself so her address isn't all over the internet. Me, I don't care about giving you my address. You can send me a card anytime.....🤣

Sue thinks her mom would LOVE to get a batch of cards to look at and know how much we all love her !
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Sue texted me this morning with an update about Alva!!

"She was released from acute rehab on Saturday. – – We had hoped she would have another week, but she was doing so well they booted her out. Currently, I am not in San Francisco, but I will be in a couple of weeks. She was able to walk up the stairs by herself and was able to talk with me on the phone last night – – so I'd say pretty good. Of course still a long way to go with her dexterity and verbal ability, though her intelligence and comprehension is still there I can tell."

Alva's spirits seem good. She was so happy to be home with her
partner and her dog!

Sue called her a "road warrior" now having survived 2 cancers and a big stroke.

I'll keep you updated.
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I will pray for Alva for sure.
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Thoughts and prayers for you, Alva.
God is not done with your life yet.

I have seen amazing things happen for people after a serious stroke.

There is always hope, there will always be dignity for special people like AlvaDeer.
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I prefer to pray that Alva does recover her abilities to the degree that VSED is not an option for her. I'm not planning to ask Sue any questions about Alva taking her life. It's very easy to talk about things like that, but when the time comes, not quite so easy to actually take the plunge. Alva had the chance during her breast cancer recurrence, and chose treatment and LIFE instead.

The power of prayer is VERY strong ladies. Especially when many people are praying for one person. So, for those that DO pray here, let's focus on that right now. Sue told me she's an atheist, but is praying hard for her mom.

I will update as I get info.
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@southernwave and @lealonnie, about the VSED: that would be something that perhaps Lea could ask Sue. I recall Alva's posts and information about VSED, which led me to find out more about it. I'm very grateful that I did. VSED is one method that is open to all of us.
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is there any chance she might regain her cognitive functions? i hope so! some people make incredible recoveries.

wishing this for you, AlvaDeer!
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I wonder if she will do VSED. I only bring this up because I believe Alva would have zero issues with us discussing it.
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Oh no! She was so helpful and encouraging. I'm an atheist, too, so I'll just try to send love through the ether. I hope she recovers enough cognition to allow her to access aid in dying. Her worst fear is the same one that we all share.
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Thank you for sharing. I too was helped greatly by Alva when in the put of depression and grief after losing my parents several years ago. She is a "force" and definitely doing God' s work - He can use everyone! I will be praying for her recovery and peace in her heart and mind. Get well Alva - we need you!
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Praying for her. Am so sorry this has happened to her.
Please recover soon, Alva.
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Thank you for letting us know. Sending healing energy to Alva...
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Hoping for a speedy recovery !!!
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Divine order is my wish for Alva and her family. 💐
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Thank you for this. I'm fairly new to this forum and AlvaDeer was kind and helpful in response to one of my posts. All positive thoughts to AlvaDeer and wishing her, and her family/friends, strength. Will be thinking of her.
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Alvadeer really helped me through dark times. In fact she, and others on this board, proved to me there's always beauty and goodness...even when times are dark
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When she was not responding with her wonderful insights, I was concerned that something must have happened. Thank you for the update. Praying for her and her family, for healing and comfort, strength and peace!
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Have missed her and wondered. Sending support her way for recovery.
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I'm not on here that much, but always appreciated her responses. I wish her well and know there is always hope for recovery!
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So very sorry to hear this!
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Thank you for letting us know. Please have Sue pass along all our good thoughts even if Alva cannot answer right now. We have so much appreciated Alva's wisdom and on-the-mark advice. Carry on, Alva. Be comforatble and at peace.
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Thank you for letting us know. Thinking positive thoughts for Alva.
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I’m very sorry to hear this news.
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Alva, we miss you and your sage advice and experience. We are all sending you and your family positive vibes for healing and recovery.
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Sending positive thoughts and vibes to Alva.
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