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!)

Mornings are too early.

Each morning I ask mom how she is feeling, some days I get a chipper, "good!" Other days I hear, " Mornings are hard."  Today was the latter response. 

While she is physically doing very well, she still struggling with situation you or I might find to be easy. This weekend, we went for a very brief shopping excursion, I could see from her drawn expression that she was tired and ready to leave, shortly after arriving. Plus, having two kids along makes most shopping trips exhausting! 

Decision making takes a little longer and I think that is one reason it's easier to stay home, fewer distractions and decisions to make (what to buy, which isle to walk down, etc). 

Today's therapy session was from 7:45-10am. Another reason morning are tough- they start too early! We were up before the sun. 

While she worked on balance, strength and irritating her physical therapist ( so she said), Daniel and I keep busy. It's too far of a drive to go home. Today we grabbed pancakes, browsed the toy section at Walmart, and played outside the hospital. 

Tuesday Kathie will be home alone for an extended period of time. Julia has a field trip and Daniel and I are going along. She's been doing the stairs alone, with someone near by. She's agreed to not use them while we are away. Tomorrow is her night to cook. She mentioned doing prep work, while we are gone. I told her if she burns the house down, I'm putting her in a home...

She laughed. 

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to Kathie's recovery! 

https://www.gofundme.com/katJensen

Chef Kathie

With there being three adults in the house, we take turns making dinner. When I was trying to figure out the schedule for the week, I put mom down for tonight. She was told to make meals and I figured Saturday and basic breakfast would be a good start. 

We went to the grocery store, she gathered what she needed, and she came home to get prepping. 

It was tasty! She said multi-tasking was difficult and missed a few tiny steps. She is still a rock star!

To donate to Kathie's recovery, visit:

https://www.gofundme.com/katJensen

Never a dull moment.

Kathie had a fabulous day at therapy today! She said they are very encouraging, and that lifts her spirit! She is thinking she may not even use a cane, once therapy is done. The hip that was causing her trouble is pain-free! Yahoo!!

It's been very cloudy and dreary here, we saw the sun today and opted to join in the fun.  

Daniel is her fourth therapist: toddler activity therapist. 

"Nana, come sit wif me, yellow bench!"

We grabbed lunch and hit the park. 

After our play date, we picked Julia up from school. On our way home, we spotted a small dog, roaming. I opted to throw one more  log of "nutty" on the fire and scooped the lost pup up. 

Long story short: mom cuddled her through a few stops. We didn't get her home but she was left at the humane society. They know her name ( rufus) and where she lives. They were working on getting ahold of her owners. 

Mom was the best at soothing her, poor thing was scared. She was almost asleep in her arms. 

To donate to Kathie's recovery, visit:

https://www.gofundme.com/katJensen

"I'm going to be buff!"

Kathie had an early start this morning, Daniel insisted upon coming along so he could push buttons and hold doors, what a gentleman! 

She said  they have her continuing to work on her balance. She started doing leg presses and incumbent bike today. She said she's going to be buff soon!  

To donate to Kathie's recovery, visit 

https://www.gofundme.com/katJensen

New 'do, new you.

When we were discussing my mother coming home, I asked if she wanted to get her hair done, to make her feel sassy again! She loved the idea so I asked my beautiful friend, Shauna, if she could turn her salon into a traveling salon for us. Shauna does an amazing job styling and I knew she would make mom feel fabulous. 

Shauna got to work! She volunteered her time too, refusing any payment--see?? She's pretty cool! I played with her cutie daughter and Daniel, while the ladies did their thing. 

Are you ready to see my sassy mother?!

A true beauty! 

A million thanks to Shauna!

To donate to Kathie's recovery, visit 

https://www.gofundme.com/katJensen

Thank you!

after care

https://www.gofundme.com/katJensen

We have set-up a page for those of you interested in assisted with Kathie's recovery needs. 

Around the house.

Kathie has always been a snugly nana, the kids have missed that! 

Daniel was very tired, yesterday and went to find nana. Lucky even tried to join in. 

For those of you curious why the stairs are such an issue, here they are! All 16 of them. 

We took these to show her therapist her environment. 

Therapy

Daniel is nana's therapy and doctor's office buddy! Here they are waiting for Kathie's cardiology appointment, last Friday. 

Let the therapies continue!

Kathie started her out-patient therapies today. She started at 8am and "therapied" until 10:15am. She still needs to go back to Methodist, which is about 25 minutes away, 45 in Omaha rush hour. 

She worked on word problems, balance and fine-motor skills. She has trouble reading clocks and she asked ot to help her with that issue. Eye-contact continues to require extra focus, I was chatting with her last night and noticed she was staring at the wall. 

The plan is therapy 3 times a week for 6 weeks. 

Kathie has been sleeping a lot, her brain needs that time to heal. She asked me to help her set-up a schedule so she can feel productive and find inner balance. We were told not to help her, I have to say it's hard to not just jump up to grab things for her. My inner teacher reminds me to sit still! 

We found another walker so she can leave one upstairs and Chris and I don't have to drag it up and down. I think she was staying on one level to not be a bother. Now, we just stand near her on the stairs, no need to move the walker. 

She's admitted to being more emotional, since her stroke. Her first day home, Friday, was a big challenge. She was used to knowing exactly where everything was ( lip balm, phone charger, etc) and was upset that she no longer knew where things were. So I bought her a cool, clear organizer. We slapped some stickers on it, found all her little treasures, and it now has a home in her room. 

She was able to attend church with us yesterday. She was very emotional during the music portion. The songs really struck a cord ( aww, that was bad!) and she became very emotional. Praise God, she's alive!

Please continue to pray for her to regain her strength. A super special thanks to our amazing friends and neighbors who have stepped up to help us out! You. Rock. 

She's home!

"I'm a stroke survivor! What's your superhero?!"

She's had a long day! But, she's home! 

Home visit

Today these two words were used a lot:

[ˈstəbərn]

stubborn

ADJECTIVE

1. having or showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good arguments or reasons to do so: 

   "he accused her of being a silly, stubborn old woman"

   synonyms: obstinate · 

   [more]

   antonyms: compliant

   • difficult to move, remove, or cure: 
     "the removal of stubborn screws"
     synonyms: indelible · 
     
     
     in·de·pend·ent

     [ˌindəˈpendənt]

     ADJECTIVE

     1. free from outside control; not depending on another's authority: 

        "the study is totally independent of central government"

        synonyms: freethinking · free · 

        [more]
     2. not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence: 

        "I wanted to remain independent in old age"

        synonyms: self-sufficient · 

        [more]

        
        

        
        

        
        

        I really do understand the desire to be independent. I also understand the even stronger desire to stay out of the hospital, once released. 

        
        

        Mom tried doing things several times she was told not to do, by her physical therapist, during her home visit. I feel like I'm tattling :)

        It does make me nervous that she tries to walk the stairs alone. If you have seen our house, you'd understand!

        
        

        She will need someone home with her most of the day. I can leave to get Julia at school but mom has to agree to sit tight, while I'm gone. God help us all!

        She got a chance to pet lucky, cuddle with Daniel and greet Julia's fish. 

        
        

        Please continue to pray for a full recovery. She's about 80% there!
        

        
        

        
        

        
        
     
     

Independence Day!

At the rehab center they refer to the day you leave as "independence day". Kathie's is scheduled for this Thursday!

She is excited!

I spoke to Michelle about her out-patient care. She will need physical therapy (pt), occupational therapy (OT) and speech therapy (st). She thinks mom will have to go back to the hospital for the speech. 

Tomorrow is her home visit. Wednesday she will practice using the stove at OT. She went grocery shopping today to buy all her ingredients. I heard she did well. 

She will be home on Thursday! It will take sometime to adjust to it all. So, if anyone wants to drop off dinner, that'd be great :).   

Lunch Date!

Today I (Jaci ) headed back to Minnesota. Before we left though we took mom out for the afternoon to lunch. She got to pick so Olive Garden it was! Getting to car and in and out went smoothly. The chaos of all of us was very tiring for mom, you could tell.  She mentioned she was having a tough time keeping up with conversation  (there where several going on). It was nice to get out and about though. Stephanie brought her back to the hospital and was gonna visit for a bit.  I'm sad I had to leave but I will head back when I can (probably October ) preliminary plan is mom will be back home (stephanie 's) end of this week or early next week. 

Lunch time!

Today was a big test of kathies progress! We picked her up and brought her to lunch.

She did confess she had a hard time keeping up with the conversations. In all fairness, most people can't keep but with our banter. 

She was sitting by Julia who is full of life and always looking for a playmate. That can he exhausting. 

Mom said she realized she has lots more work to do before going back to work. Her brain needs time to figure out how to process multiple things at once. 

Stephanie 

Saturday is family day!

It is a beautiful day! We brought Kathie down to enjoy the sunshine. The kids wanted to cuddle, Julia sat and chatted. 

Captain America is rocking the walker!

Daniel is using the extra bed to rest. 

Kathie is doing well. She has the weekend off from therapy. Tomorrow we are all going out for lunch. 

Love

Jaci and I spent some time trying to figure out how to make moms room more accessible, for when she returns home. We sat and reminisced about things and as I sat here thinking about Kathie, one key word kept popping up. Love. We grew up with very little material things but always felt love. Mom showed us how to love, how to care for others, and how to shine. 

At her speech session today, she told the therapist how she loves to read to my children and how she read to us as kids. Cuddled up on her lap, listening to her read with different voices for each character. 

I know people often take things for granted, it's the normal way of life. You grow accustom to things one way and one day find yourself longing to hear your mom sing the wheels on the bus to her grandchildren. She practiced that today, it's just that important to her, and us. ❤️

Therapy day

I am spending the morning with Kathie, watching her speech session, OT assists her with getting dressed and PT had me pull my van around so she could practice getting in and out ( praise God for leather seats and mini vans!). She had no issues!

Speech had her read stories and asked if I noticed anything. I notice her tone is flat, no real inflection. If there is it's really low or really high. She practiced some on her sequences. A1, b2, c3. Etc. 

Next she did PT. then we got her into the van and out. She worked on stepping down the curb. 

We went to recreational therapy. She finished her painting for Julia and played cards. Mom won!

Tonight's visit

Daniel insisted upon pushing Nana around the hall. We hung around in the family lounge, chatted, and played with Daniel's superheroes. 

Mom is still progressing very well! She can use a walker but the nurse wanted her to use the chair. 

We stay and eat dinner with Kathie. Thankfully there is an extra bed in her room. 

Tomorrow is a long day of therapies. They had her practice stairs, grocery shopping, and work related tasks today. 

Update: care team

I just spoke with Michelle from Kathie's rehab care team. Her current issues are left side neglect (she forgets things on or ignores her left side). Balance issues. Attention and endurance. She is slower to react and the concern is with balance issues and delayed reaction, she will fall. She walked 15O feet with her walker today!

So the big question had been when will she be home. Michelle said two more weeks. September 22 or around there. They will bring her out next week for a home visit to see how she does here and what modifications she may need made here. I told her we will do whatever we can to get her home. 

I will have to bring her to therapy three times a week, once she's home. No idea how long, that depends on her progress. 

I asked about bringing her out to lunch this weekend. That's a possibility, I just have to go out and do a training session on how to transfer and assist her into the van. 

Phone update

I just spoke to Kathie on the phone. She sounds great! She's tired and has lots of therapies but she's a trooper. 

She called to tell me that her care team is meeting at 2pm and they will discuss when she can come home for a day( hopefully Sunday!)when she can leave permanently and how she's progressing. She said they will need her to visit the house and see that she can do all necessary tasks like stairs, bathroom , etc. before her complete  release. 

 Daniel sang some songs to her and they chatted about Spider-Man :)

I will head out to see her after I get Julia fr school. We bring a picnic dinner and keep her company ( the nurse gives the kids Popsicles!)

I'll post more after I hear from care team!

Stephanie

Lucky visit

Lucky had a very exciting journey today. He got to visit Kathie at rehab. 

On our way. 

Eager to see his buddy. 

Lots of pets and treats!

Stories with Nana

Nana is working on speech so we brought some books for her to read to the kids.

Update: Sunday. Looking fabulous!

Kathie had a long day of therapy so we didn't visit until this evening. I was thrilled to see her smile and chat away!! She's amazing!

She asked me to bring books she could read out loud and some small button. She read Mickey Mouse to the kids.  She sounds great!

They both miss cuddle time 

Daniel needed his cuddles, too!

On the way home Chris and I discussed an apple tree mom and Julia have grown from an apple seed. We were discussing planting it in the ground or not. We decided to try it. It started to downpour on the way home. We got home and I spotted two interesting things. One- there was a rainbow forming and two--the tree was bending to the side. 

I went to see what happened to the tree and saw this:

He's so big he's causing the tree to lean. He was seeking shelter from the rain on this baby tree! Kathie will love this story!

Her tree, her rainbow. 

Tomorrow morning Jaci and I are bringing lucky out to the center for a visit. 

Update: polish, PT, and a play

Julia has really missed her nana. Today seemed like the perfect time to bring her to visit. Kathie told us there was a perfect spot so Sara, Jaci, and Julia put on a play. 

Kathie enjoyed it, even heckling the cast. 

We briefly spoke with her physical therapist, she said mom did great! She stronger than the hospital notes stated.

Her attention span is short. She needs reminders to make eye contact and prompts to answer questions. She's very eager to get better. No complaints about working too hard. 

I brought nail polish and painted her cooperative hand (Horatio) a dark blue, and the disobedient Fredricka is a pale blue. That Fredricka needs reminders to work. 

She's wearing a oxygen monitor for now. 

I brought her lacing cards, a memory game and the sneaky squirrel, a fine motor skill game. She had a hard time with the memory game. It seemed to be more of a focus issue. She was a trooper about trying it out. She did great on the lacing cards. 

I worried we were wearing her out, she said that was not the case. She likes the company. We are planning on bringing her huge dog out to visit on Monday. Jaci and I will figure out the details. She's very happy about lucky visiting. 

So, she's doing great! Thanks for the prayers and comments!

-Stephanie 

Daughter care team schedule

I just realized that I should share the very basic plan and schedule. 

Sara needs to get back to Minnesota. Jaci has a job that will allow her to temporarily work at an office here. She will not ride home with Sara but stay here to help mom out. Jaci will work during the day and we will visit mom at night. She will stay all next week and return home when joe drives down to visit and take her home. Mom was told it could be 2-3 weeks of rehab and that she will be able to come home to visit, later in her recovery. I will need to figure out how to get to some of her rehab sessions so I can assist at home. Bringing a 2.5yo with Wong work. 

Update: rehab

Kathie has been texting me this morning requesting a few things, that's great improvement! She starts a long day of therapies today. 

She noted there is a cool curtain in her room, she's asked that Julia put on a show today! I'm guessing there will be dancing and singing. We will head out there around 2 to visit her. 

Stephanie

A fabulous view

Mom is getting settled in her room. 

Progress

Sara and i just left the hospital.  Got there around 8am. She saw the cardiologist, occupational theraphy, hospital doctor and finally the physical therapist.  She did well was able to get dressed with help and move to the chair.  We are packing up her bag in hopes that everything will go as planned and she will be heading to after care at 2pm.     -Jaci

Jaci's point of view

When you're phone rings after 7 and you see its your sister who is in bed early,  you know it's not good news.  When i got the call my whole world felt so different.  My mom is strong and very independent and now i knew i had to be there.  Sara and i took off the next morning. I knew it would be hard to see her but i also knew in my head it was much worse. She still looks like my mom but her smile isn't the same,  she dosent talk the same and she dosent always respond the way you expect.  The first night i was here I knew i wanted to be with her.  Happily she rested pretty well through the night.  Today  (Thursday) she seems to be getting her spunk back.  When asked to put her hands in the air she responded with "like i just don't care? " that's my mom :) the fact that she is progressing and that the stroke was massive is a true testament of God's presence.  Hopefully tomorrow she will make it to the rehabilitation center and start what I am sure will be a long journey. She's got the will power and attitude to do it though

Packing

Sara, Jaci, and I set out on a journey to outfit mom for her stay at her care facility. We were given a list of items she would need. On that list was athletic type clothing--- mom wears pjs, red shirts, khakis, and pjs. Occasionally she breaks out her fancy skirts and suchs but she's not the Under Armor type. We figured  Goodwill would be the best place for soft, comfy clothes. After getting her to agree to sweatshirts with kittens and apple appliqués, we hit the local Goodwill. Here is a small sample of her fabulous attire. 

This was my favorite find! Smooch! 

The glitter will help her focus. We did get her some nice, comfortable pants and tops. We also got her new slippers and walking shoes. She's well outfitted to rock rehab. 

Update: MRI

Jaci and I were in the room when the neurologist came to talk to mom and run some tests. He told us she presented in the ER with a mini stroke, the MRI showed a massive stroke!! Normally this would present with vision loss and no use of that side. He was very surprised. He also recommended rehab, we told him she's cleared for a local center we just need the green light from all 3 doctors. He gave the green light. If all goes as we hope, she will be in rehab tomorrow afternoon. 

Tonight I asked how she was feeling emotionally, she said she's overwhelmed. We asked if there is anything we can do, apparently not. She's tired of being fussed over. My hope is that will not be such an issue in rehab. She can sleep at night and not be poked so much. 

Her attention span is short, her speech is better. She's a tough lady!  

Stephanie 

The Back Story: Part one

Since I am the one writing the story, I can only tell it from my perspective. Please read this knowing I am emotionally and physically exhausted, there WILL be spelling and grammar errors :)

Chris and I were out for dinner with the kids, just across the street from Kathie's work. I received a call from Amber that Kathie was not doing well and that they were going to take her to Lakeside. I quickly gathered everyone and got to Target, to see if they still had her there so I could ride with her. I arrived and was told by Lauren that they have just left. Off to the ER we went.

 I believe about 40 minutes had passed since the incident and when I saw her. She was sitting on a gurney, talking to a doctor. I was terrified, she wasn't. That made me even more terrified! She was blank. I asked if she knew who I was. The overachiever recited my whole name. She instantly informed me, in a slurred manner with a droopy face, that they were over reacting! I told her I didn't agree. At this point she was barely able to lift her left side--arm and leg.

 Within in minutes I was given a graphic showing the success rate of TPA, the only stroke medication, other than aspirin.

The little red guys on the bottom are terrifying. I could barely breathe. I knew my sisters ( Sara and Jaci) were both just as nervous and still needed an update. Chris had the kids out in the van. I told the staff I knew this was common place for them, but this was all new to me, I had to talk to my family. I made it out to the van, while mom got a CAT scan,  to discuss things with my sisters and Chris. Ultimately it was my mothers decision BUT she would rely on our input. I did a conference call with my sisters and they agreed with mom and informed they we coming to Omaha the next morning.

While I was out in the van they brought her to get  CAT scan. If there was any bleeding in her brain, they couldn't give her the medication. Praise God there was NO bleeding. Typically they would have just given her the TPA at that point but miracle number 2 was about to happen. The neurologist happened to be near by so they waited until he chatted with her. Within about 10 minutes mom had improved, with no medical intervention. The neurologist noted this and did more reflex testing and motor testing. Her drooping face has improved, she could now move all four of her limbs! He asked her a question I had yet to hear anyone else ask her, " have you had any surgeries recently?"

"Yes, a detached retina."

He seem to instantly get upset, he asked if the rest of the staff knew this, I can't recall my moms answer but he informed us her eye surgery was a contraindication for this medicine. She would end up blind in that eye! PLUS, she was remarkably better! He said her body was doing was it was suppose to and breaking the clot up, unassisted! He referenced God and miracles, I believe he got a little teary eyed. I can't think of anyone who needed a miracle anymore, at that time! If we had not seen him, she would have received the medicine and certainly lost vision in her one eyes, possibly causing more issue. Praise GOD!

I will try to tell the rest of the story later....

TO BE CONTINUED

Update: Thursday 9.3.15

I got a call from Jeannie at Lakeside. She is the social worker that is trying to get Mom's aftercare figured out. Two locations have approved her ( they are fighting for her!) and I went with the place mom asked for. The social worker told me that IF mom is stable today ( see that if?!) then she can be transferred tomorrow. That is a BIG IF!
Her heart scope results came back, we were told that there we no more clots or issue at this point. She is in A-Fib, that is an issue she has had before and they are thinking it is the cause of her stroke.

I am starting this blog to keep all of us in the loop. Jaci and Sara have arrived and all three of us will be taking turns visiting mom. I spent Tuesday night in the hospital with her, Jaci took last night and we think it would be best to let mom rest tonight. No extra visitors. She needs lots of sleep and guests are not a good fit for resting. I will try to write a longer post, giving some of the back story.


Stephanie P ( Middle Daughter)