When Annie’s husband suffered a massive cerebellar stroke, her world changed. Through a series of small miracles, she found two mantras to live by through his very long recovery: “Stronger Every Day” & “I Can Do Hard Things.”

Episode Discussion Points

Why reading the "Drama in Real Life" from the Reader’s Digest helped prepare her for her own challenges.
The story of how her husband suffered a massive cerebellar stroke, but since it is so uncommon and the symptoms don’t match a regular stroke, it often goes misdiagnosed.
Being misdiagnosed because the CT scan couldn’t see the cerebellar stroke, and he was diagnosed with vertigo
Being misdiagnosed again with Viral Ear Infection
Her prayer of pleading to God to help her know what to do
Ended up being diagnosed with the Cerebellar Stroke and Hydrocephalus (and he was hours away from death unless they did surgery to relieve the pressure).
Make time to ugly cry and grieve because of the change.
She felt a tremendous peace and she felt like Darryl’s mother was there, “I am very aware of everything going on and I will be with Daryl."
How she remembered a talk called “I Can Do Hard Things” and she took 3 pieces of paper and wrote, "I can do hard things,” which became her mantra.
Daryl’s grim and not very promising prognosis
Feeling guilty that her husband was alive when so many others in the stroke unit were dying. But getting a warm reassurance from God that just like He was there with her in her story, He was with the others and knew the details of their story too and He was in control.
She was not responsible for anyone else or their story. God has that figured out.
He stayed at the hospital for a long time, and then went to a rehab center.
As a caregiver, Annie learned how important it was for her to take care of herself—get herself a Coke and a Snicker’s Bar and hang out at the chapel and it brought her peace. It is okay to take some time off as a caregiver.
The nurse whispered in her ear, “Stronger every day,” which she also added to her mantras.
The rehab and how hard it was when he couldn’t even brush his teeth.
Be willing to look for miracles every day—and speaking them out loud.
The beautiful visual image of taking your burdens and pinning them to Jesus’ cross, because He has already bourne them.
Annie knew faith was important, and love/charity was important, but she always wondered about hope. Hope became so critical while Daryl recovered—and how even though he had hopes and dreams about his recovery, “only the Lord knows” and Christ became the focus of his hope.
Physically and emotionally turning the outcome over to God
Turning ashes into a something beautiful.
How her sharing her story online and always ending with “Stronger every day,” and “I can do hard things,” has helped so many people.
Remember to have grace for other people when you see them around you.
We have angels all around us (family members who have passed on), but we have to “see” His hand through them.
Ask God to help you see the little miracles.

Things that bring Annie Peace

Listening to talks or sermons first
Exercising
Keeping things clean and simple in her home, so she can feel peace there
Listening to peaceful or fun music
Prayer: Talk to God all day long, and thank Him out-loud (gratitude)

Cerebellar Stroke Symptoms

Eyeballs flicking back and forth in head
Dizziness
Vomiting
Headache
Hard to speak
Hard to walk, poor coordination (often leaning to the side they had the stroke on).
Can’t remember

Cerebellar stroke comprise only 10% of strokes. Victims are often misdiagnosed, and although the stroke doesn’t kill them, the hydrocephalus (swelling in their brain) does, unless it is diagnosed correctly quickly.

Bible Verse

Phillipians 4 :13 - I can do all (hard) things through Christ who strengthens me.
John 14: 26-27- Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Resources

"Hope Heals” and “Suffer Strong” by Katherine & Jay Wolf
“The Power of Positive Thinking” Norman Vincent Peale
Music by Lauren Daigle

Connect With Annie

#tamarakanderson #storiesofhopeinhardtimes #podcast #hope #God #hardtimes #cerebellarstroke #stroke #symptomsofcerebellarstroke #missannie #peace #prayer

Transcription

You can find the transcription of today's episode here: https://www.tamarakanderson.com/podcasts/annie-mcdaniel-i-can-do-hard-things

Annie McDaniel: I Can Do Hard Things 54:56 Share

Stories of Hope in Hard Times

Shownotes Transcript

Annie McDaniel: I Can Do Hard Things