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
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