The Final Post You All Have Been Waiting For.....

I can't believe all of the people who supported Stephi and followed her fight. I especially cannot believe the popularity of this blog which, by the way, was truly meant to be an outlet for the big sister who never knew what to do with her many hours spent in a waiting room waiting, wondering, and worrying. I started to write and I felt better so...now we have a blog. I did; however, learn to pay a little closer attention to my spelling as the days went on.

I have had a million requests for an update so here you go.......

A lot has happened since the horrific night on October 10, 2008. We had a successful benefit. Steph's kids had a great Christmas. The best Christmas miracle for them was that they still had their mommy. They don't realize that yet, but someday they will know the story. I remember sitting with Olivia while Steph was in Madison and looking at the neatly painted nail polish on her tiny fingers. Stephi had just painted them right before she got sick and I would get teary wondering if her mommy would ever paint her little nails again. Olivia came over 2 days ago with a new color :) and I had to smile. The girl who would spend months - maybe years in rehabilitation spent hmmmmmm........2 months in an outpatient rehab program before they decided that she was too well off to be there. I did; however, have to laugh a little bit when she would come home with home work with these papers that had tiny little letters all over them and she would have to circle all the letter "B's" on the paper. 4 of us sat there at the kitchen table thankful that it wasn't our homework because it was tiny and tedious. She would just look up at us with a look of disgust, and I would remind her to be thankful that she wasn't getting coloring books for homework for the rest of her life. She didn't think that was as funny as I did I guess :)

In January, she met with Dr Baskaya in Madison and was given a clean bill of health, or as clean as it gets for having a massive aneurysm I guess. That man is amazing. I wonder if he knows :) Stephi was bound and determined to drive. I wondered sometimes if that was more important to her than hearing that her head looked normal. Once Dr Baskaya gave the OK to hit the road, she was gone....I mean she was seriously gone. She went somewhere everyday. We live 30 miles from any sort of civilization, but she didn't care. She was out shopping, hanging out with her kids, you name it. All I know is that I could never find her.

Dr Baskaya...if you read this....maybe next time you open someone's head....a GPS tracking device might be beneficial for family members who can't stand it when we cant get a hold of our brain injured loved ones. Just a thought for next time. LOL.

If she didn't answer her mobile, I would worry that something happened to her, and I would have to call Jen, who had to call mom, who had to call Josh to find out if anyone heard from her that day. Here she would be shopping all day in Wausau. Wow Stephi!

As the next couple months went by, it was very hard to even tell that Steph was ever ill. If it wasn't for the short hair cut and the small town rumor mill no one would have ever known. The huge scar on the right side of her head was now covered with about 2 inches of curly sandy blonde hair (curly hair---who knew??) There were a few more grays in there than I remember but she earned them I suppose. She went about her activities of daily living like she always did. There are a few times when I can see a tiny facial droop or a slight look of confusion when I ask her something but I think I probably see it more because I am with her all the time. It never fails she always has the answer along with the slight twist of the Stephi humor that I love.

Over the next couple months, her baby bump was growing, but overall it looked like she was going to have a very small baby. By March she was down 10 pounds from her pre-pregnancy weight even though she took very good care of herself. She was scheduled to have a c-section on March 20. C-section?? Well, I think it was in everyone's best interest not to allow her to push during labor secondary to her shunt and all of her recent brain surgery. It was in everyone's best interest to make sure we have a healthy baby and a healthy mama no matter what, and no one was about to mess with all of the risk factors. So....we wait patiently until March 20th. All of her OB appointments were checking out well. Dr Zabel was her primary OB and he was also the one who was on call the night Steph got sick at work. She trusts him with everything she has, but even though he would tell her at all of her prenatal appointments that everything was well, she could never get it out of her head that this baby has been a part of her through a horrible accident and she kept worrying that something could be wrong with the fetus.

Friday March 20, 2009.

Stephi's day is finally here. I was her nurse. I had every confidence that all would be well, yet, I had a hard time sleeping just as Steph did the night before. Excitement, anxiousness, a little worried?? I don't know, but it was my baby sister and I was praying that I would not let my emotions take over. I admitted her to the birthing unit where we both work, the girls had her room all decorated for her, and everyone was excited for her. We went back to the OR for her c-section where I would scrub in and stand right next to Dr Zabel (who I trust with everything I have as well). I watched my baby sister slip off to sleep and get intubated for the last time. I choked down a few tears behind my mask as memories of seeing her intubated were too familiar. I watched Dr Zabel make an incision and deliver my nephew. OMG. I, all of a sudden am an aunt, and a sister, and a nurse all at the same time, and I was trying very hard to keep my game face on as Stephi slept.

I made a promise to Stephi that I would not take her baby out of the OR unless he needed an intervention. She said to me many many times "I woke up from 3 major surgeries with this baby. Please don't let me wake up for the last one alone." I am happy to report that I was able to keep that promise to her. Her baby was perfect! I recovered him in the OR and together we waited for her to wake up.

Now earlier I said I was trying really really hard for my emotions to NOT get in the way of my responsibilities as her and her baby's nurse, but by looking at some of the pictures I'm sure you can tell that we shed more than a few tears.............happy tears this time!

Introducing:

Charles Baskaya Zeinert

7 pounds 2 ounces

Thank you Dr Baskaya for having faith in Stephi and saving these lives!

Helping Hands Through Stephanie's Fight

The benefit was a success last Saturday. Thank you to everyone who attended and especially to Rachel and the staff at Rachel's Roadside and to those of you who donated raffle prizes. We were able to raised $2,500.00 for Stephi and hopefully she will be able to have an incredible Christmas this year with her family.

I did let her cut my hair ughhhhhhhh! I suppose I shouldn't complain because it was a $400.00 hair cut all of which went to Steph. Apparently the people who came really wanted to see me get my hair cut off. It took all of about 20 minutes to have a bucket full of money in order for her to cut it off. It looks........well.........it's short, and I miss my pony tail a little bit. I am thankful that I am not completely bald, although she did want to shave the same scar she has into my hair - I had to be the older wiser sister and put my foot down on that one ;)

I was so excited to see everyone out on Saturday night. It stayed fairly crowded most of the night and we got to enjoy some karaoke (all of which was not so enjoyable I suppose) LOL. I was truly amazed by everyone's generosity. I watched people pool money together for some very odd entertainment. Steph got $50.00 just to dance with someone! Thank god she can still dance :)

With this I will end the blog. I am so thankful for all of you who followed our family through what has been the most difficult experience we have ever had to go through. I am thankful and grateful for all of your support and prayers that have kept us going. Stephanie is amazing and she continues to improve everyday. She will continue with her outpatient therapy weekly and hopefully she will be back to her old self soon. Those of you who have had the opportunity to see her and visit with her will understand why we are all much more at ease with her condition. It has been a miracle, and she is obviously a fighter. She will have a few more months of being pregnant. She and her physicians have decided together that when the time comes she will deliver by cesarean section under general anesthesia for those of you who have been wondering. The thought of that for her is still scary - but she is getting used to the idea.

Thank you to everyone! Keep fighting Stephanie!!!!

Wednesday December 3

While Stephi continues to improve everyday from her many brain surgeries, she is once again showing all of us how strong she is. Her and Jay have been through a few tragedies of their own recently. Jay remains by her side through all of her illness and I'm sure he wished several times throughout the course of this whole ordeal that he could have been 2 or three places at once. He lost a grandmother a month ago and last Friday lost his mother after a long battle with cancer. Steph and Jay have officially been through everything, yet somehow they appear unscathed. It appears that they have a pretty strong relationship and they continue to smile and keep up the pace with the kids.

I hope the benefit will have an amazing turn out and give them a little bit of hope that something good is yet to come for them. They certainly deserve it after all of the events of the past few months.

I am home sick.....ughhhhh....we all knew that was coming didn't we. I guess you can't do everything and be everywhere and try to do manage a hundred things at once and not have any repercussions right?? Oh and can I just say it is a good sick too - I have been unable to work for 3 days and that is the one place I sort of look forward to going because I get to be around friends for a while :) As long as I am well for Steph's benefit - all will be good.

Hope you can all make it out for the benefit!!!

Keep fighting Stephi (and Jay)!!!!

Week 3 at Home

Well, another week goes by. Stephi is doing very well. She gets around the house and has even started staying alone at home for a few hours at a time. She is amazing. We still continue to tag team kids as all of them get a little overwhelming for her at times. Everyone around here wants to take care of Steph!

She is getting out and about more. She goes to rehab a couple times a week. It is sounding like she may not need as much rehab as we thought. She says her PT and Speech therapy are easy. The Occupational therapy is the one that is tough for her right now. They give her a lot of homework and she continues to struggle with vision on the left side so homework gets frustrating sometimes. I told her to be glad that she gets tough homework instead of coloring pages or bubbles - it means that she is doing well. We got a little laugh out of that :)

I'm sure she gets sick of me protecting her - but what can I say?? I feel like she is so fragile all of the time and I know she is doing well on her own. She has been making dinner, doing laundry, cleaning, taking care of kids. Thank god for that. I'm always grateful for everything she can do.

We are looking forward to the benefit on December 6. Steph misses her hair.....so....I've decided to let her cut mine at the benefit. We can be bald together. I just told her she has to cut it with her left hand. ughhhh. We will see what kind of hair I end up with. I guess Steph didn't get to choose her hairstyle so I will get a little taste of what that feels like for her. Be kind to your big sis Stephi!!

Keep fighting Stephi!

Helping Hands through Stephanie's Fight

Stephi had her follow up appointment with Dr Baskaya last Thursday. The best news that we could all hear was that she would be expected to have a full recovery. That is what we got! Steph continues to have days where she feels terrible...but...she has life and she gets a second chance. She is a great mommy and I could never imagine this little face to the left never being able to see her mommy again.

We are all thankful everyday. Stephi is improving daily and she is getting herself more and more involved with activities of daily living. She is still a little slow and we will give her that, but she is up, moving around, helping with the kids and the housework. Thank God for her being able to get back on her feet. She never was one to sit around anyway - and sometimes the big sister in me tells her to take it easy and be careful. She is probably so sick of me :)

Our family and friends have been busy organizing a benefit in her honor. It will be held at Rachel's Roadside in Wittenberg, WI. on Saturday December 6, 2008 from 4pm-? We are planning to have some amazing entertainment, food, drinks, as well as some raffles, and hopefully a few donations for Steph and her family. Any questions about the event can be posted on the blog for me to answer or directed to our friend Rachel of Rachel's Roadside. THANK YOU RACHEL for being so supportive!!!!

Rachel's Roadside

W17298 Spruce Road

Wittenberg, WI 54499

715-253-3190

rachelsroadside@yahoo.com

We are hoping to give Stephanie and her kids an incredible Christmas this year. They have all been though a very tough year. Her kids have been tossed around and cared for by everyone in our family, yet they continue to smile and keep up the pace at school. Stephi is unable to work right now so she has additional worries as well as trying to continue to heal. Let's rally for her and give her kids a Christmas to remember - We want to honor their mommy's second chance :)

Thanks for all your support blog followers!! We love you - Keep fighting Stephi!

Another Week Goes By

Another Week goes by and Stephi continues to fight! She's back to work.....just to visit.....for the first time since the accident. There were several sighs of relief as she walked down the hallway to say hi to her co-workers. The last time they saw her she was on a stretcher being flown out as she fought for her life. We are all glad to see her back in the hallways at work (even if it is just for a visit).

Christopher and Olivia have been going with the flow and glad to have their mommy around all the time again. They are pretty much used to their mom's new makeover; however, Olivia continues to remind Stephi that her hair will grow back :)

We have had a constant slumber party at Aunt Sara's house and have been able to tag team the kids, and take care of Stephi together. Wow.....the dishes and the laundry.....never end! If anyone ever wonders what we need here (a maid would be good) :) LOL Just kidding - I'm sure even a maid would run away scared LOL. It has been going well. Olivia is Auntie Sara's side-kick and unfortunately for her she is the ONLY girl around here with my 2 boys and Stephi's Christopher. Sometimes we have to make the boys watch Dora the Explorer so Olivia gets the TV too - that is complete torture for the boys! Especially since they all believe that Spongebob Squarepants has the answer to all of life's questions. (Maybe he does??)

To all who are wondering - Stephi is doing well. We are trying to take good care of her. She gets around very well. She will go to outpatient Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy at St. Clare's Hospital and she continues to look a little more like herself each day. She is awake most of the day and has a few little naps, but she is helping with some of the house work little by little and she in enjoying being near her kids again.

Tomorrow she will go back to Madison to have a follow up appt with Dr Baskaya. She has a looooooong list of questions written down for him. LOL I hope he put aside some time for her tomorrow. She will get her sutures out of the long incision around the right side of her head, and she is looking very forward to that.

Sometimes she has to remove herself and rest when things get too overwhelming as they often do with all the kids here (but sometimes I have to remove myself too LOL). So I guess that is normal right??

Together we have had some good sister conversations and fallen asleep during some terrible movies that we were waiting to rent- but - I think it has been good for us in many ways.

Keep fighting Stephi!

Today is Wednesday Oct 5.

Stephanie is doing great. She stayed in Janesville by our mom from Friday-Sunday afternoon and she has been staying at my house since Sunday evening as it is a little bigger and easier for her to move around in than her own house right now. I know my mom and Jen were sad to see her go. It has also been easier for all of us to tag team the kids so she can rest. Christopher and Olivia are home :) and they and my 2 boys have missed each other because they run around like mad sometimes. Chris is back to school and is pretty much caught up with the work that he missed for the couple weeks that he was with his daddy up north.

I would try to post some more recent picture but I think she would kill me right now :)

She is tired and sore - and we all expect that. She rests a lot of the day, but she is moving well throughout the house. You would not know she ever had a left sided weakness. She is up and down the stairs without a problem. She is in and out of the bathroom well. She showers. She walks outside. The only thing that is visible is that she is slow right now and she sometimes looks around like she is trying really hard to take in her environment. She still has a slight left sided facial droop and her facial expressions are very hard to read a lot of the time. I have a hard time trying to tell if she is in pain. or frustrated, or overwhelmed. I feel like I am constantly asking her to tell me how she is feeling.

We had a small meltdown the other day as she is struggling with her limitations. She says she is less patient and she gets overwhelmed easy. She wants to run and play with her kids. She is stuggling with not being able to do all of the things she used to and that is is taking her time to heal. It will be the first of a few meltdowns I'm sure, but I try to reassure her that we are all proud of her progress so far and we are so happy that we have this second chance with her whether she has limitations right now or not. She tells me that she sometimes looks around and wonders where she is or who she is and what the heck happened (I've seen that look). It takes her a little time to process her environment but she eventually gets it and she has a totally appropriate conversation with you. She remembers people, places, and events from the past. Im amazed by her recovery so far, so I guess all I can do is keep telling her that.

She saw Dr Zabel yesterday for an OB appointment, and so far all is well. She was excited to get to see him again. She had an ultrasound and looked at those pictures all night last night. That little one has been through just as much as his/her (I will let her tell you :) !!! ) mommy in the past few weeks (she peeked). it will be touch and go whether or not she will be able to deliver without having a c-section as the pushing may cause too much stress on her recent brain surgery. She will see Dr Baskaya in Madison next week and hopefully have some answers to that question.

Rehab will be as an outpatient. She will have PT, OT, and speech therapy several times per week at Aspirus. She is still working on trying to get going with that.

I'm glad your home, Keep fighting Stephi!