January 7th … My Life and Death Story – Part 7

(continued)
I woke up Sunday morning, January 8th, 1995 to my head wrapped in white cloths and a tube sticking out the side. I remember a nurse telling me very loudly as I was coming to that, “Matthew, there is a tube coming out of your head to relieve the pressure from the blood clot on your brain.” I just remember her yelling at me, and thinking “gall, that’s horrible.” She procede ever so loudly to ask me a serious of questions that at the time seemed elementary. “Matthew, do you know what day it is?” “Who’s the president of the United States?” “What’s your name?” All of which I answered immediately with no problem. Apparently, there was much concern about what I would remember, if there would be brain damage, and if I would even know who anyone was.

A short time later, Sarah and Alison came in. They had went to church that morning and then straight to the hospital. Before arriving in my room, they asked the nurse for an update on my situation and she had cautioned them to not be alarmed if I didn’t remember who they were or their names. She gave them the heads up on the reality that I may have to learn to read and write again, etc.

They came in the room and I was lying there with my eyes closed, all bandaged up like a woman just getting out of the shower with wet hair. They said hello, or something, and then Alison began asking me questions. “Matt, what 2 + 2?” To which, I’m thinking, “Why the heck is she doing this? I just did this for the nurse.” Thinking she was having fun, I decided to play along. I answered her without so much as opening my eyes, “5.” She asked another question, “What day is it?” “Thursday.” With that, the two of them left the room.

I just laid there. In a moment, the nurse returned with them and again began her loud question asking, “Matthew, who’s the president of the United States?” Not having any idea what was going on and becoming a little annoyed at the game we seemed to be playing at my expense I replied, “Hillary!” Which is obviously Bill Clinton’s wife. To which everyone in the room burst into laughter and some joyful tears.

It’s an absolute miracle that I never had one bit of memory loss or brain damamge. Although my staff might tell you differently depending on the day. God was truly watching over me. What a miracle.