Katie is a Runner: One Year Ago

One year ago, Saturday, January 24, 2015 ...

(TMI) - I had just gotten up and I was sitting on the toilet. I can't remember if it was 7:15 or 7:45, but either way, when my phone rang and the screen said, "dad cell", my heart sort of jumped. I just knew it wasn't going to be a good phone call. My dad is just not the one to initiate phone calls on a regular basis, so calling before 8 in the morning was a pretty good clue.

Honestly, at first, I thought it was going to be about my brother. My brother likes to drink, back in the day got some DUIs (driving under the influence). At this time last year, he was still working in a restaurant, and I know there were nights he drank after work. It has always been a fear of mine. It is part potential reality and part my worrisome personality.

So, I answered the phone. I don't remember exactly how he broke the news, but he told me he was sitting in the ER with my mom. Obviously I asked some questions, and the news he shared was that a CT Scan at the hospital showed what they believed to be an aneurysm. That they were getting ready to bring my mom to Milwaukee via Flight for Life. I asked as many questions as I could in the time that he had. I also remember asking is he was alone; he had been alone but assured me my brother was on his way to the hospital and that they would be driving together to Milwaukee.

Between that phone call and the following phone calls with my sisters, I found out mom had woken up to get ready for work. While brushing her teeth, she got a terrible headache - what we later learned is called a thunder clap headache, the worst headache in your life, that happens when blood and fluid in the brain is not where it is supposed to be! - she proceeded to get ready for work and actually drover herself to work. She pulled over and threw up two times in just a mile or two. When she got to work, she pulled up to where she knew the smokers would be and told them something wasn't right. She couldn't even get out of her car. They called my dad, and while they were going to drive her to the hospital, they ended up calling the ambulance.

No one could tell me what was going to happen. I knew it could be serious; I also knew it was likely good news that she was awake and alert. But what if? I don't remember the time line exactly, but give or take a few minutes of an hour, and I had decided I couldn't just sit over 5 hours away. We got the dog to the kennel, Chad's cousin agreed to take Ava, and Chad and I headed to Milwaukee. It was the longest drive of my life. I had no idea what I would be walking into.

Thankfully, everything turned out okay. I am skipping parts of the middle, because I am pretty sure I've shared them on the blog on and off over the last year. They told us right away that first week that she would be in the hospital at least 3 weeks; Mom was in the ICU for over two weeks, the Neurology floor for a week, the had a bout with delirium and went back to the ICU. She spent another week or two on the rehab floor, before finally going home six weeks after the whole ordeal began. It was a roller coaster for sure.

I drove between here and Milwaukee 6 times in 7 weeks! I was glued to my phone looking for updates when I wasn't there; when I was there I missed Chad and Ava; and keeping up at work and around the house was not possible!

I am not exaggerating when I say the determination and positive attitude my mom approached her therapy with was admirable. She did three months of outpatient therapy, and since then has done amazing at going to Planet Fitness and doing her own therapy at home. There have been some really difficult changes and transitions, but she's done everything she could. Physically there is very little in terms of effects. Most of the lasting effects have been in mood, emotional regulation, memory, things like that. She can't return to work, and even though it came in the most unexpected of circumstances, is trying to the enjoy retirement!

Today, I am celebrating that we made it through the last year. Today, I am thankful that God wasn't ready to take my mom yet! This is a much better anniversary than what could have been.

Today, I am extra grateful and will remember to enjoy every moment with what I have, and who I have in my life. You just never know.