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Friday, August 8, 2008
It’s exactly six months from the day that the earth stood still to us … oblivious to me, our family and our friends. It is a feeling that each and every one of us has felt … or will feel one day. It is a combination of fear, denial, faith, shock and numbness … crashing in all at once.
I remember receiving “the call” from Norma’s sister, Nancy, like it was yesterday. “Ken, there is something seriously wrong with Norma … we’ve called for an ambulance … she has a very bad pain in her head … but she is awake and conscious.”
I was in shock … and denial … surely nothing can be wrong with Norma … she takes care of herself!
I asked Nancy … “What do you want me to do?” I was frozen with fear … I didn’t know how to react … what to do … even though the answer would be obvious to anyone else.
Nancy said, “Get to the hospital as fast as you can!”
That was the gentle nudge I needed. I bolted out the door of our Aurora Northwestern Mutual office and I was on my way.
I arrived at St. Joseph Provena Hospital in record time … but the ride down felt like I was moving in slow motion. Random thoughts flashed through my mind … “Will she be okay? Will I make it in time? Hopefully this is just a very bad migraine? Is this really happening?” It was way too big for me to handle … I was not and could not be in control … so I simply turned it over to God and prayed … as did so many of you! Again, God bless and thank you. Our prayers were answered. Norma’s survival and ongoing recovery is a miracle of God.
So, six months later, this is how Norma is doing:
Six months ago, while spending three weeks at U.I.C. in intensive care … Norma still tells us she does not remember any of those weeks! She vaguely remembers the ambulance and the helicopter ride. (This actually worked in my favor for weeks!)
Today … she “remembers much better!” (I must be careful!)
We just returned from Northwestern Mutual’s annual meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin held towards the end of July. We had a great time seeing old friends … and meeting new ones as well. Upon our return, Norma met with her speech therapist, Elizabeth, and her psychologist, Angela, and Dr. Chaudhuri all at Marianjoy to determine what is next for Norma. Norma is doing well and improving each day. She is very good at handling individual tasks … one at a time. It is the “problem solving and multi-tasking” that she is striving to improve on … thus the ongoing therapy.
Dr. “C” explained that since Norma is still experiencing “evidence of seizure activity” in her left central temporal region of her brain, (which has been diagnosed from her most recent EEG) … this activity is interfering with Norma’s ability to multi-task and problem solve. Dr. “C” is confident that this condition will improve and subside over time. For now, Norma will continue with her anti-seizure medication in an effort to continue to prevent actual seizures from occurring. Her next EEG is scheduled for 9/30/2008. Our short-term goal is to be patient and go slow. Dr. “C” and her staff remind us constantly that Norma’s full time job today is her own recovery. Returning to work too soon could prove to be very detrimental … so we are following doctor’s orders, for now – speech therapy and meditation. By following doctor’s orders and by continuing Norma’s ongoing therapies and “mental exercises”, we hope to obtain our long-term goal of a complete recovery!
So we again ask you for your continued prayers for Norma … to give her patience, wisdom and strength … and to know when to slow down or stop. (There is still plenty of juice in Norma’s energizer batteries)!
A word of advice to our entrepreneurial friends out there … be wise like Norma and empower your team members to be able and capable of flying your business by themselves! We are in our busiest time of year, “Back to School,” and Norma’s team has stepped up and done a marvelous job during Norma’s absence. Thanks team … you all are incredible! It has been and still is such a blessing for me (us) to be able to focus on Norma and not have to worry about her business too – you are awesome!
Six months ago today, I stood alone in the cold, lonely parking lot of St. Joseph Provena’s Hospital looking up towards a hole in the sky as Norma’s helicopter rose to airlift her to UIC. The downdraft of the helicopter blades pelted my face with icy dew as I looked upward. I had so many questions … and I was so afraid … but…as it turns out…I was not alone! You also…are not alone!
God bless and hugs to all.
Love,
Norma & Ken
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