And here is what Knoxville thinks of them!!

My mom and dad have always been so faithful to exercising and staying healthy.  After his stroke on Dec. 8, 2009 - which still baffles the medical community because he is SO healthy - working out and "getting it done" is still part of their every day life.  They do everything together, I mean even more so now!!  This is beautiful article written by their workout facility.  Mom and dad are an inspiration to all they meet - even if you never meet them, but are just observing.  I have been to this place to watch them workout and do their thing.  All eyes are on them watching with anticipation and "hopefullness".  Sometimes their eyes say, "Wow, I cant believe this has happened."  And many other times the eyes say, "I hope I find someone to take care of me the way she does.  What a team!"  I hope you enjoy this article even half as much as I did!  Sorry the picture didn't copy - I will try again!  (Yes, I look just like my momma!)

News

Thursday, September 01, 2011 - Living the Healthy Life

  

Rob and Susie Hargis

Fort Sanders Health and Fitness Center is full of amazing people with inspiring life stories. As a staff member here, I have the privilege of meeting those people and sharing their lifelong commitments to healthy lifestyles.

From the first words out of Rob and Susie Hargis’ mouths, one thing is clear – this is going to be a truly great love story. 48 years of marriage and they still act and talk like a couple of teenagers in love. This great relationship is built on trust, love and dedication. They’ve also been dedicated to living active lives, even becoming Senior Olympians several years ago.

Senior Olympics is just one competition this active couple enjoys. Australia for The World Masters tournament in 2009 is where we set the stage for Rob’s great triumph. Competing in full court basketball, he brought home silver and gold. Susie, of course, proclaimed him the MVP! This past July, Susie competed in a 3-on-3 National Senior Games basketball tournament in Houston, Texas. While she and her team lost by one point, they did win the silver medal, and second place is still great when you are competing against thousands of athletes.

Time Out

On December 8, 2009, the Hargis’ fun and games came to a racing halt. Rob was exercising at the Fort when all of a sudden simple things became difficult to understand and the left side of his body started to lose function. He told Susie, “Take me to the emergency room.” Susie says she could tell something was wrong.

A trip to the ER revealed Rob had suffered a stroke. It would be devastating news for anyone, but especially for Rob, who realized his Olympic days were behind him. He spent three grueling months at Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center trying to regain strength and function on his left side. Now, after nearly two years of hard work, Rob has regained ankle strength and is hoping to have movement back in his left hand soon.

Getting Back in the Game

Rob’s therapy includes many types of treatment, including exercise at Fort Sanders. His exercise regimen has increased productivity in his other treatments. Through it all, Susie has been his cheerleader and sometimes even his coach. Together, they play a little basketball, workout on the weight machines, and walk on the treadmills. With each step the Hargis’ keep their eyes on the prize. For Susie it’s a victory in the next tournament. For Rob, it’s simply to improve everyday life.

Through all the wins and losses on and off the court, this couple has had a great sense of humor. They are always there to cheer each other on – working out as a couple, doing therapy as a couple. In fact, they take on life as a couple. Susie’s next tournament will be the Huntsman Senior Games in October. This time, Rob will be her coach.

914 - Need to see a miracle - Watch this!

On Dec. 8 my daddy began on the most difficult and unexpected adventure of his life.  Dad was working out when he realized he could not process which weight was the 5 pound weight.  He didn't think a whole lot about it - very common of one having a stroke - and went down to take his shower.  By the time he got out of the shower he could not figure out how to make the towel stay around his body.  It was at this time he realized he was in a full blown stroke.  It was impossible to get his shoes tied now.

Making his way to the lobby where my mom was waiting he said in his normal quiet way, "Susie you need to take me to the ER.  I am having a stroke."  Mom freaked and so would I!!!

After 3 days in ICU and many scary nights of not understanding the unknown we came to find out that there are 2 kinds of strokes.  There is a blood clot stroke that 85% of the population have.  These are the kind that you hear of people being paralyzed for a time, but regaining everything in a matter of time - short time, back to almost 100%.

But my dad had the "bad" stroke.  Hemorrhagic stroke are the ones you do not want to have.  This is basically a brain bleed.  Where a blood clot stroke causes a lack of blood, O2 to a certain area of the brain for a short amount of time, a hemorrhagic stroke has blood that explodes in an area and kills all cells it comes in contact with.  Surprisingly the brain detests blood.  It doesn't want it anywhere around and certainly not uncontrolled!  This kind of stroke is one that you do NOT want to take a blood thinner or any kind of aspirin that you hear about.  This kind of stroke usually has permanent damage, but usually results in death within the first month.

So far my dad has beat the odds.  He has had one set back with a seizure back in April or May, but worked hard and is back better than ever!  But dad could not sit up on his own, he could not do anything!!!  Very slowly, but diligently dad has worked so hard to regain so much!!

This was so unexpected as my parents are the healthiest individuals EVER!!!  Both my mom and dad were/are Senior Olympians in basketball and have competed and WON all over the world.  Both mom and dad never miss a shot - it just doesn't happen.  This video below is where my dad is now.  We are coming up on his 1 year anniversary.  He is such an inspiration to so many.  All those days we would just dream of being like the guy next to us in therapy that was so much further along is now where my dad is!  People in his situation now look at him and want to be where he is!  He inspires all the other patients!!  You will see why when you see this video!!

I would certainly be remiss if I didn't give credit to my momma for all her hard work.  Her life has been redirected and she has with 110% step up to the plate.  Mom and dad are constantly together and that is not always a good thing.  ha  But mom makes sure to take dad to therapy 3 times a week and then on the off days they will go to the workout place to do their other "therapy".  This is no doubt tough on the one affected, but I am not sure that it might be even more difficult on the care giver!  My mom has taught me so much through this all.  They both have!

I will never forget the therapists saying in the beginning that my 70 year old dad was actually like 50 year old or so having a stroke.  He was in such good shape and for that reason alone he would do extremely well!  They were right............and the grace of our Lord!

If you want to be inspired and encouraged watch this below.  It is a miracle right before your eyes.  And the music - that is my brother!!!  Brain Hargis!

Thanks for allowing me to share!!!  This is my daddy!

885 - Focus on her shoulder, not yours!!

Good Morning Lord Jesus, today is the first day of school even though it is quite abbreviated. Tucker has another baseball game today so that is always fun to look forward to.

I was at my parents home this past week. My dad looked so good and was doing so well. He had gained some weight and look very healthy. He was walking around the house without a cane and doing quite well. I am not around him walking enough to not be nervous at every stutter step, but he is doing wonderful. My mom continues to be incredible through it all. Mowing the yard, cooking and making special milkshakes for him 2 or 3 times a day, taking care of the business of the house, and making sure dad gets in all his exercises. Each day, or nearly every day, they go to their workout facility and go through all kinds of strenuous exercising. Dad rides the bike for 30 minutes while mom is shooting. Then they get back together and walk all over that place doing different weights, stretches, machines, etc!!! It is a huge ordeal and mom is so patient to go thru each thing with dad helping him along the way. What a servant!

Let me take you back a few months.... Nov. 16 mom had surgery on her shoulder - kind of like some reconstruction since having it dislocated in a basketball game. Then on Dec. 8 Dad had his stroke. Before the stroke dad too was scheduled to have surgery on his shoulder as he had torn his rotator cuff. He could barely reach to get the salt or pepper off the table because his movement was so limited. In rehab that arm, torn rotator cuff arm, was his unaffected or good arm and yet it was not very good either. I remember the therapists looking at him and just having such a pity because he so needed that arm, but it was not of much use.

Fast forward to present day... Dad was showing this weekend how he can raise the "torn" arm up just about over his head. He no longer has limited movement. It doesn't hurt near as much as it used to. If you have ever had this kind of injury you would say this must be another miracle in my dad's life. So where am i going with all this...

Physically, it is obvious that when we are worn down in an area our body does need to rest so that if it can repair itself that can happen. It is also very obvious that when our focus is on something other than one thing all the time incredible things can happen.

Standing there watching my dad lift his arm, the one that he could not even lift his elbow higher than parallel to the ground, the one that was not affected by the stroke at all, the Lord gently nudged and said - I am trying to teach you something here.

"Leigh, having your focus and attention all on one thing is quite debilitating. It is almost like you get injured and are unable to go forward in life. What I see more times than not in your life is that your focus gets stuck on you. You are looking at all the things in your life that could be different. You are looking at the things about yourself that bug you. It becomes you you you! Actually, Leigh, it is paralyzing."

The Lord went on to whisper, "When you take the focus off the "bad arm" then you are able to heal. Focusing on others and their needs truly is healing in your life. It is the reaching out to a family, reaching out to the community, reaching out to your enemy, reaching out to your neighbor that acts as soothing therapy. It is in trusting ME enough to take your eyes off yourself so that I can supply your every need while you use what I have given you to help supply another. Allow me to take care of you while I use you to take care of others...."

That is life to me. It is not about accumulating even though I do that real well, too well, but about giving back! It is about trust - trusting the Lord to work through me, through me in giving and through me to heal me. Life is about doing for others and He will always come thru! Every time I go home I am reminded of selfless love my mom is constantly showing my bad. I am reminded of our need to need the Lord as I see my dad need my mom. I see the hard work and diligence it takes to recover from whatever trials come our way through my dad's example. I see our need for a partner or helper or encourager or accountability in life as my mom is to my dad - we don't need to do this alone. This trial is no fun for either one of them, but as they have always done throughout my life and in this situation is no less, they are giving out to me and teaching me through it all....still!

Lord, thank you for the ears to hear you. Thank you for the example of love and devotion i see in my parents. Thank you for reminding me to never stop - never stop giving of myself, but to forever stop focusing on me! God you are good. Bless momma and daddy!! I love you, Lord!

801 - You Rock my World

Happy Birthday Momma!!!

I love you so much and have just been in awe of all you have gone through in the last 8 or so weeks with Dad's stroke. Momma, you have shown me so beautifully and valiantly what it means "through sickness and in health". Not once have you hesitated in Dad's recovery, nor have you skipped a beat. With a completely destroyed shoulder (if i ever get to meet that lady she is gonna get it...in Jesus Name, ha ha) and your own rehab to attend to, you have never lost that fire to see the both of you in whole health!

Momma, I think back to my high school years and my best friend. That was and still is you! I hope that my kids will want to hang out with me the way I wanted to be with you! You always made me feel so strong and supported me on all my decisions. I could tell that you were so proud, but yet did not hesitate to call me out when I was not thinking the best!

Through my first years of college I put you through quite a scare almost getting married and all. I put myself through quite a scare! ha Thank you for praying me through and for all your friends that prayed me through as well. I will never forget complete strangers coming up to me when I would come home and telling me they had lifted me up in prayer! Thank you!

I guess that is a huge part of why I could not keep silent when Dad had his stroke. I do know the power of our Lord when we take things to Him in prayer. And the masses of prayer that went up for you and dad on Dec. 8 and following made a huge impact in where you are today. In the same way the prayers that you and your Bible study friends lifted up on my behalf impacted my life and where i am today! Thank you!

Momma, I so wish we lived closer. You know I would love for you to move right into my own family room! Or at least build a house across the street. But for now the Lord has us at a distance. I do pray that we can be neighbors in heaven! That is much longer anyway than our short time here on earth!

I am so excited to see what the Lord has for you both! I think it is just beginning! Dad going home on Wednesday is just the start!! I read Ps. 18:29 today and thought of you and dad, "With your help I can advance against the troops; with my God I can scale a wall." He is not going to let you down! He is not going to not help! He is not going to let you fall. He is not going to not let you be victorious!! He is on your side and He has you in the palm of His hands, but He has your back too - Is. 58:8! He is all over you and I can see Him so clearly in you as well!

Momma, can say it any better than I love you with all my heart! You are my hero!!

Your big as a horse daughter,

Leigh!

796 - Can I praise too much??

Can we praise Him too much? What about in the bad times - do we praise Him at all? Does praise have anything to do with trust? Below you will see my video blog from my quiet time this morning, but then below that you will see an update on my dad from my momma. I pray you are blessed and can praise Him once again - never too much! Leigh

We have had a wonderful day! Rob has made wonderful progress this week. He looks better, talks better, and is sleeping better. We both are functioning much better! My therapy is going great. I am at about 120 and he wants me at 170 at the end of therapy. It is painful but getting better. I no longer have to sleep in my sling. Rob still wants me here all the time, but is more relaxed when I go do laundry, bathe, check on our dog, and therapy 2x a week. I leave around 3 and try to return by 6:30. If anyone wants to visit, that would be a great time as I am sure he would enjoy the company. Feel free to call and talk to him also. His cell is 850-3071, and mine is 850-3072. Continue to email as this is an encouragement to us as well. Sorry that I was such a wreck for awhile. As a friend said, “In our darkest hours we have to look for a small ray of hope and sunshine. It is there”. I have certainly felt that this week. With the help, support, encouragement, and prayers from all of you, the Lord has given me greater peace. Another friend reminded me how wonderfully we are made, and when we are broken, He can put us back together again with the wink of an eye. That also reminds me of what one of the ICU nurses said at Park West, “God winked at you, Rob.” Things could have been much worse. For many things, we are thankful. I do know that the Lord is in charge. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. Why did this happen? I know that God knew this from the beginning of time. “I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Did I want to go through this? No!!! What have I learned? Never take a day for granted, your health, strength, relationships with family, friends, or God. I do know I will be more aware of other people’s trials now and hopefully can encourage others as they have encouraged me. I love you all. Susie