Update on Mom and Family

Right now I am at my parents home here in Iowa and wanted to update you on the condition of my mom. On Saturday morning my mother complained to my father of severe pain in her head that came on very fast. They waited thirty minutes and then realized that it was time to call the ambulance. The CT scan showed that there was a "egg" sized clot in the right frontal part of the brain. They began to treat with meds to see if her body would absorb the fluid. I was called at 11:30am by my dad and immediately began making phone calls and packed to head to Iowa.



They then did a MRI to make sure that there was not a tumor causing this clot. I was led to believe that it was a stroke but was somewhat confused because of some of the information that we were all recieving. In the early afternoon the pain had not decreased and the doctor re-assessed her and made the decision to operate. This was explained to us early as a very risky procedure and only as a last resort. I recieved the call while in route to Iowa that she would be having the surgery.



At 5 pm she was taken to surgery. We all knew that there was a great risk but felt like it was the best thing to do. I arrived at 7 pm to join my dad, brother and sister-in-law. At 8pm the surgeon came out to announce that the surgery was very successful and that she was doing well. He clarified the situation better...she had what was called an Ayloid Angiopathy. This is not a stroke nor a clot. This also is not a anurisym (sp?). The difference being that it was not a dominent vein that burst and bled nor was it a blocked vein with a clot. Within the brain there are thousands of microscopic veins or maybe capillaries and they began to bleed. There is no explanation as to why or how they began to bleed. They bled creating a pooling of blood the size of an egg. The blood also began to move over the top of the brain. He said that there was a tremedous amount of pressure when he removed the skull piece. He also explained with great confidence that she would not have made it through the night without the surgery. He was able to clean up the fluid and stop the bleeding and close her up.



That first 24 hours were most critical to watch for bleeding...which would require a second surgery. She was in extreme pain after surgery and finally had decreased around 12 o'clock...but still very uncomfortable. Her stats were great and we thanked God that she has complete strength in her extremities and full speech.



My sister had arrived in Iowa from Alabama at 9 pm. She ended up spending the night with mom as I went to my folks house with my dad to rest around 1 am. We went to bed around 2 am and Dad was awake at 4:30 am. We were back at the hospital at 7am.



My sister was doing awesome! We visited and sent her home around 9am to rest at my folk's. The morning was very painful for my mom and it was difficult to feel so helpless. My brother returned to the hospital with his family after doing some snow removal for my Dad at his apartment buildings in town and at his acerage. I was touched with all of the visitors that cared so deeply for my parents.



Oh, her CT this morning turned out awesome and there was very little pooling of blood. The doctor was very pleased. She will be going to a regular room tomorrow afternoon if all continues well. She was able to sleep peacefully from 2pm to 5pm for the first time since friday night. My sister arrived this evening to take over for the night. Some of us went for dinner and then returned to the hospital to visit. My dad and I returned to the acerage around 9pm and will go back in the morning.



During this visit for some reason I have been so touched and thankful for my family and our relationship. Oh yes...we are all very different in personalities and we are far from perfect but we love one another and I can see how we pull together in crisis. Everyone is focused on what is best for my mom and dad. It is not a competition to see who can do more or be most effective. There is percise communication taking place and ideas being shared. I am thankful to have all of them. Oh, I haven't even mentioned my husband who is caring for all six children at home while he has been suffering with a cold and fever for four days. He didn't hesitate to send me to my family and has held the fort down with great diligence...I am actually thinking that I am not needed there!! Ha Ha :( Also, my brother-in-law Jerry could not join my sister and he once again gave his wife to stay with my parents for over a week. That is what a real family is like. I probably sound all sappy so I will blame it on having only 2 hours of sleep!!:)



My father is an amazing man. I have seen him carry a load that is heavier then any man that I personally know. He loves my mother in such a deep way that he would give his life for her without hesitation. He has been so strong and carries on with the daily chores that must be done without complaint. I see him with a new appreciation for his indurance in this thing we call life! I admire his integrity and strength that helps hold us all together. I love you Dad.





Thank you for your prayers. I am going to be and will proof read this another time. Most of what I have written will bore the majority of people that are not closely related but I wanted to take time to get this down.