a side step.

I am writing this sitting in a hospital room with my mother. She suffered what I pray, is a little set back.

The details are spotty as is her memory of today's events. She went to the dentist and while chatting with the business office, she suffered a seizure. They called 911and transported her to the hospital. I received the call around 10:30 and got here around 11:15. She was still a little confused but NOTHING like her post stroke condition. 

While in the ER, a tech came to get her for a CT scan, at that time I noticed the left side of her face was twitching. I wish I had know what that meant! The tech thought nothing of it and wheeled her out of the room. About 30 seconds later they abruptly returned, my mom stated she was going to vomit. I looked at her and she was in the grips of a seizure. If you have never witnessed one, it's very violent and terrifying. 

I quickly got out of the way as  staff and machines entered the room to care for her. I was taken to a family care room where I waited for a doctors to come talk to me. He arrived and told me she did indeed have a seizure. They needed to run tests to see if she had bleeding or any growths in her brain. They later told us there is no bleeding or tumors! Praise God! 

She remembers little of her morning, It is slowly coming back to her. She's on medication to prevent seizures and tomorrow she meets with a neurologist. She's staying here overnight, to monitor and figure out the cause. 

I would like to thank the amazing hospital staff, my awesome neighbor for willingly taking a crying three-year- old while I went to the hospital, Anne for chauffeuring Julia home from school and Jaci for rushing to town to help. Superstars!!

Job on hold

Good morning!

It's a chilly fall morning, today's schedule had us out of the house a little before 7, with therapy at 7:45. Julia joined us and I dropped her off at school after. It gives her a little better understanding of where nana goes for therapy.

 We meet with her doctor on Thursday to discuss if more therapy is recommended. Mom and I will then discuss if switching therapy locations is an option. Right now it's about 30-40 minutes to get to the hospital. As I have mentioned, Daniel and I keep busy around the hospital and get mom about 2 hours later. Driving back home makes no sense, poor Daniel would spend two hours in his car seat. I will keep everyone posted. 

My main reason for writing this post is I wanted to address a question that her wonderful co-workers have raised. When will Kathie  come back to work? The only thing I am 100% certain of is that you will not see her behind her counter, greeting guests and solving problems, until

After Christmas. Sorry, you'll have deck the halls without her. That being said, she has come a long way but still needs to work on her long-term concentration, a skill that's needed in her job. She will have to work with her management to decide what she is able to do. Her therapy is crucial in getting her back to work. 

To contribute to Kathie's recovery costs. Visit: https://www.gofundme.com/katJensen

Back at it!

Today was Kathie's second day back after missing several sessions. She is doing well. She was told that she can stop using her walker, if she feels comfortable with out it! 

She meeting with one of her doctors next Thursday, they will discuss if she needs to continue her therapy. 

Daniel leads the way to mom's therapy. 

https://www.gofundme.com/katJensen

Go with God

Things have been on hold as Kathie travelled to Minnesota to be with her father in his final days. He passed away yesterday, he's home now. 

Mom has missed several therapy sessions and my sister and I fear she's falling too far behind. Mom is staying with Jaci and Joe in Minnesota right now. Jaci agreed to stay on top of mom, making her do her home excercises.

It's hard to press forward when the world keeps falling out below you. But forward is the only way her father wants her to go. 

Kathie and Dad. 

When hugging and saying goodbye, grandpa would always say, "Go with God". I heard it many times, sometimes in Spanish. So as Kathie says these words to her father, please keep her in your prayers. 

Vay con Dios. 

Journey

It has been a long, emotional day. We drove from Omaha to Minnesota today to visit my grandfather, Kathie's dad. He suffered several strokes and his health is declining. We stopped for a short visit, as we both know how much energy is required when you have visitors. 

He held her hand, kissed it and cried. Telling her how much he loved her. 

Please pray for my mother, her siblings, my grandma and especially my grandpa. 

He told us he's ready to go home. 

My eyes are over here.

Kathie had her mega dose of therapy this morning. She had asked me yesterday, if I thought she was getting better. I prefer to be honest, I said that she was getting there but one big social issue is eye-contact. I will ask her a question or vice-versa and she won't even look my direction, or may continue walking away. 

She spoke with speech about that today and she was given some tips on social interactions. 

Everyone is learning. Mom is learning how to handle social interactions, Daniel is learning how to work the hospital elevators ( "I not push yellow button!" Aka the emergency call button--oops!)

And I am learning to take less for granted and where all the Daniel-friendly places are around the hospital ( we usually have 2-3 hours to keep busy while mom works at rehab)

https://www.gofundme.com/katJensen

Getting up.

Today started off rough. Julia and I were on the main level, getting breakfast ready, and we heard an awful sound. I shouted up to Kathie, asking if she was ok. 

I hear, " I fell."

She lost her balance trying to get dressed. When I found her, she was on her side, with her walker under her. She was able to get back up, alone.

She mentioned it at her appointments today and she was told that it's not a huge surprise. I though it was but hey, who am I. 

So, that's my summary of the day. You fall, you get back up and move on ( scaring the sh!t out of your daughter!)