Amy called at about 7:00 this morning to tell me that her father-in-law (who is 47) had a stroke last night. Her poor husband--he just lost his beloved stepfather two weeks ago and now this. She is quite stressed out as well--she loves her father-in-law and her husband and her stepson and seeing them all in such stress and grief has been very difficult for her.

Fortunately the stroke wasn't as devastating as it could have been. There are no physical deficits--no paralysis, drooping or weakness--but he can't speak. He can write a few words but his word-retrieval system is a little messed up and he can't form words. He will be evaluated by the speech pathologist tomorrow to make sure he can still swallow but he looks like he's swallowing ok so that's good.

I feel so bad for them all. There has definitely been enough stress in that family to last for a good long while.

--L