Where to begin? I have hesitated to post anything about what our family has been going through because I've felt so protective of my husband and because I've been scared out of my mind. Blake and Lauren you have been such troopers through all of this, I thought I should put something in your blog books so you know what an awesome family we have!
On the morning of March 1st Daddy had an explosive headache. He immediately had to lay down. Nothing like this had ever happened before, but we'd been at an auction the night before and he may have been *slightly dehydrated, I thought maybe that was it. The headache got better but never went away so Dad went to his doctor to make sure everything was okay. Countless MRIs later he was diagnosed with a golf ball sized cavernoma, a mass of blood vessels. The headache had been a large brain bleed and the cavernoma needed to be removed before any more bleeding occurred. We were told later that Dad was really lucky he didn't suffer significant damage from the bleed. So, on March 24th Daddy checked into Swedish Hospital to have a craniotomy. I was scared out of my mind. If things went well we were told there would be about a month or so of recovery time and then things would return to normal and Dad could go back to work. If things did not go as planned Dad's speech would be "word salad". He would be able to speak but it would never make sense again. Dad's surgeon, Dr. Delashaw, was confident he could get the job done. He said that if Dad could speak immediately after surgery then his speech center was intact. Dr. Delashaw also told us there would be a lot of swelling in Dad's brain so that he would lose speech for a time, but that it should come back to him.
The day of surgery Auntie Alison took care of you guys, making sure you got to all of your activities and Blake's first science fair as planned. Daddy and I went to the hospital early in the morning. When we arrive in the waiting room we saw Uncle Todd and Aunt Lisa, Grandma and Grandad, Paul, Patrick and Heidi, Grandpa, Uncle Jeff and a few others ready to cheer Daddy on and hold my hand through out the day. Dad and I went together to get him ready for surgery. We were both really nervous, we said our I love yous and I held it together until they wheeled Daddy away, then a nurse handed me a box of kleenex. Knowing Sunny was Dad's anesthesiologist gave me a little comfort knowing, 1. Sunny is the best there is and 2. Dad had someone with a personal investment in the OR with him. We were told the surgery would be 1.5 - 2 hours. FIVE hours later I thought my heart was going to beat right out of my chest. There was a reader board so we could see what stage of surgery Daddy was in, I will never forget Grandpa coming over and telling me Dad was finally out of surgery. Dr. Delawshaw came out to meet with us, he said the mass had been about the size of a kiwi and more difficult to remove than anticipated. Dad was still being stitched up so we didn't know if he could talk yet. Three hours later Grandma, Grandad, Uncle Jeff and I were in the ICU waiting room when we finally got to see Dad. Grandma and I went in first and HE COULD TALK! I remember the nurses being happy he could say his name and address, he told me he loved me, he was able to tell Uncle Jeff he was a Husky and the Oregon Ducks were bad. Thank God. About 30 minutes later Dad was talking less and less. It was scary but to be expected. Dad spent the next four nights in ICU. The day after surgery the physical therapy team wanted Dad to stand up and sit in a chair. Balance was challenging and Dad made it to the side of the bed and then wanted to go back to sleep. However, later that day when I had stepped out of the room, Dad decided to get up out of bed, unhook himself from everything and he set out to find a bathroom. So I guess he could walk. Dad easily could have fallen and really hurt himself, but true to form, he decided to walk on his own terms. The ICU was kind of a blur, they woke Dad up every hour for four days. They tested his strength and speech each time. We had some mishaps, one morning I woke up and a nurse was removing a patch from Dad's chest. I asked the nurse what it was, "his nicotine patch, he smokes, right?". Um, no. I stayed with Dad three of the four nights in ICU, Grandma gave me a break and stayed with Daddy one night too. On day four Dad was finally moved to the general neuro floor. He was finally eating and more alert. The fourth night in the hospital Uncle Jeff drove up from Portland to stay with Dad. I don't think anyone could wish for a better best friend. He took notes on everything that happened, I mean everything. Thank you Jeff!
Throughout Dad's stay in the hostpail he had more visitors that I could count and more than are allowed I'm sure. Patrick came by twice a day everyday, Heidi would come by with goodies from Burgermaster, Grandpa made it possible for me to run home to put you two to bed and try and create some sort of normalcy for you. And after six long days Daddy finally came home.
Lauren you were so happy to see Dad and you wanted to check out his stitches, sit in his lap, etc. Blake, you were a bit more standoffish, saying a quick hi and then going out to shoot hoops. I watched you take this all in in doses and you've come around and are helping Dad with his recovery too. In the hospital Dad couldn't say his name. He couldn't say our names. They showed him a calendar and the first thing Dad pointed to was Sunday and he kept motioning for basketball. Blake, he wanted to make sure you were going to your last basketball game. I assured him you were going with lots of family to cheer you on. Over the last 4 weeks Daddy has come along way in his recovery. Lauren, you have helped Dad with his speech therapy apps, giggling hysterically when he gets simple words wrong and cheering him on like only you can do when he finally gets them right. You've brought some much needed levity to the situation.
Dad has really enjoyed going for walks since he's been home. We started slowly and quickly built up to 6 miles a day. Dad was finally cleared to walk on his own, thank goodness, because I'm tired!
We could not have done this with out the help of our family and friends. Grammy and Grandpa, and Grandma and Grandad, thank you so much for all of your love and support.
Chad, I never realized how well I know you, but did you know I can practically read your mind?! Over the past month I've been able to easily fill in the blanks for you when needed. I love you so much and I am so proud of all that you have accomplished. Before your surgery you told just about everyone we know what was going on for you. You have not shied away from conversations with friends and acquaintances since your surgery. (I think you're happy to have someone other than me to talk to!) You are brave and determined and I have no doubt you'll make a full recovery. (although true to form, I've lost a lot of sleep worrying about the alternative.)
A friend suggested taking some pictures for Blake and Lauren while Chad was in the hospital.
Our first of MANY walks - Shilshole Marina by our first house
Alki
We've had some great friends bring dinners by which has been beyond helpful. One friend brought this along for me!
Helping Daddy with his speech therapy apps.
Uncle Jeff's full report from his night nursing duties
Somebody was really happy to have Daddy back home.
