Woman's recovery from brain bleed has The 700 Club coming to Waynesboro

On Aug. 3, 2022, a wrench was thrown in Gary and Robin Florence’s lives. What began as a normal day turned into a brain aneurysm, a coma and some prayers.

But from that day, the Florence's experience led to contacting the nationally syndicated television program The 700 Club, and a visit from the show's crew next week.

According to Gary, Robin’s husband of 41 years, Robin had the wherewithal on that late-summer day last year to leave a voicemail for him while he was at work in Frederick, Md. Robin thought she was having a stroke, Gary said.

When Gary arrived at Waynesboro hospital with Robin’s sister, they were informed Robin had suffered a brain bleed and a helicopter had been dispatched.

Robin was in a lot of pain and suddenly let out a scream as she fell into a coma. “Respiratory. Stat. Room 7,” Gary heard the nurse say.

At that moment, Gary could think of nothing else but to outstretch his hand and pray out loud.

“I did not care who was in the room,” Gary said. “My wife was in a situation that she needed prayer badly, so I just began to pray out loud.”

Gary had never felt this before, but according to him, a presence overcame him. Out loud, he commanded the spirit of death to leave the operating room.

‘This lady should not be here’

At this time, the emergency room workers expressed they did not think Robin would survive.

Gary and Robin’s sister began to make calls to their churches and family members, trying to rally people to pray as Robin was hanging on by a thread, Gary said.

Until the followup appointment with the surgeon two weeks ago, the Florences had no idea just how severe Robin’s condition was that day in August.

According to Gary, the surgeon said doctors measure the severity level on a one-to-five scale, with five being the most severe. The surgeon said Robin was at the top of five.

When someone is that high on the severity scale, a third do not make it to the hospital, a third die on the operating table and a third leave the hospital, Gary said.

Thankfully for the Florences, Robin was a part of the third who left the hospital. Robin returned to work part time Nov. 7, 2022 and by Dec. 1, she was back to working full time.

“And it’s like, this lady should not be here,” Gary said, speaking of how fatal Robin’s condition was.

This is what led to the Florences adopting a phrase: “But God.” This is something they now say in their day-to-day lives.

From prayer in the hospital that fateful August day to praying with one of the nurses at Robin’s bedside when a physician said Robin’s right side had been compromised, that was what Gary leaned on.

And after 23 days in the intensive care unit, nine more in step down and 10 days in rehab, Robin, 61, is now in good health. In fact, Gary received a call from her one day detailing the yard work she had done: planting flowers and even mowing the lawn.

“I have no idea why God intervened in my situation,” Robin said. “But nobody can take that from me. I know that He did or I would not be here and I wouldn’t be anywhere close to being as whole as I am. It’s absolutely crazy. I don’t understand it but I thank him every day and every day’s a gift and I’m just gonna make the best of it I can for Him because he’s worthy and deserves it.”

The 700 Club to visit Waynesboro

This remarkable recovery and experience prompted Gary to contact The 700 Club, a popular Christian television show that has aired since 1966.

Gary did not tell Robin about the call as he thought the chances were slim of an established television show getting in touch with people from a small town like Waynesboro.

A few days later, however, Robin received a call from a researcher from the show. And after a couple more meetings and some waiting, the show gave the go-ahead for Robin’s story.

The 700 Club is to visit Waynesboro June 5 to interview Robin and Gary and spend the day with the couple, learning about Robin’s road to recovery for a segment to air in August.

The show didn't return calls seeking comment.

The two said they are excited to meet with the show as they want people to hear their story.

“We just want to reach people because people are hurting so bad in this world right now,” Robin said. “And they need hope. And that’s the big thing right there. I mean, Christ gives us hope and that’s what we want people to understand.”

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: 'This lady should not be here": Waynesboro couple preaches prayer