Itās Friday! Since most of our news consumption consists of bad news, especially during this pandemic, I wanted to take the time to offer up some non-political positive and good news. Something that can inspire us or, at the very least, make us smile.
1. A Miraculous Recovery
A Facebook friend of mine, Ashley Richardson, shared a video her brother, Noah Richardson, made about his wife Kaitlin’s recovery from a surgery for a rare brain tumor.
Here’s the description for the video:
My wife Kaitlin, 28, was getting a new pair of eye glasses in Nov 2019 when the doctor mentioned something wasn’t normal behind her eyes. The results from her MRI was that she had a rare brain tumor the size of a tennis ball called Central Neurocytoma.
Apparently the tumor had been growing for several years and we had no idea because she didn’t have any major symptoms. It was so serious that the doctors wanted to do surgery the next day and didn’t recommend us leaving because she could have had a seizure at any time. Just about month before finding out about the tumor, Kaitlin had a miscarriage and the doctors also mentioned that if she didn’t lose the baby, she would have died as well.
Kaitlin’s surgery was on December 7, 2019. Right after surgery Kaitlin had a stroke which left a paralysis on the right side of her body and the inability to speak. About six days after surgery she got movement back in her right leg and on the eighth day she got some movement back in her right arm. On the fifteenth day of recovery, just before Christmas, my wife got her voice back!
We were in the hospital for thirty days and then released to an acute rehab facility for twelve days. Kaitlin is recovering very well but still has a ways to go as she is continuing in an intense outpatient rehab program.
About a day or two after her surgery I heard the song “See A Victory” by Elevation Worship and it just captivated me. From that very moment I started to plan this video. I listened to it many times throughout the good and tough days in the hospital, praying, and declaring victory over my wife. Through the power of Jesus, Kaitlin had so many victories and we give all the glory to God.
Watch below:
2. Soldier Hailed As Hero At Home
An active-duty soldier at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas is hailed as a hero after police say he saved multiple lives by ending an active shooting Wednesday morning by striking and critically injuring the shooter with his car.
3. 103-year-old Woman Beats COVID-19
A 103-year-old woman beats COVID-19 and then celebrates with a Bud Light.
This story comes from Easton, Mass:
Shelley Gunn describes her Polish grandmother,Ā Jennie Stejna,Ā as having a feisty spirit. Stejna certainly displayed that spirit as the 103-year-old woman recently survived a bout with the coronavirus.
Three weeks ago, Gunn said Stejna was the first to test positive for coronavirus in her nursing home. She had a low-grade fever and was moved to a separate ward.
Stejna didnāt really grasp or understand COVID-19,Ā Gunn said,Ā but did know she was very ill. Gunn said there was always a staff member by her side.
As Stejnaās condition worsened, Gunn said they called to say what they thought were their final goodbyes. She thanked Stejna for everything she had done for her. When Shelley’s husband, Adam Gunn, asked whether Stejna was ready to go to heaven, she replied, āHell yes.ā
But she recovered, and she then celebrated with a beer. She was the first in her nursing home to recover.
4. Honoring The Fallen at Arlington Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery is closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) placed flags at the gravesites of fallen soldiers for Memorial Day.
5. Kitchen Jams
Victory Family Church in Norman, Oklahoma used a Zoom call to record āDonāt Worry Be Happyā, using only kitchen appliances, utensils, and voices. It’s glorious.
Have good or positive news that you would like to share? Drop me a line atĀ shane@caffeinatedthoughts.comĀ for your story to possibly be shared in next weekās Friday Five.Ā
