Saturday, November 19, 2011

Hello friends!

I am so sorry to be missing for so long... but I assure you that I do have a good excuse. I lost a month!
On Friday October 14th - I went to bed just like normal, but woke my husband up around 5am with the worlds worst headache! I knew it was severe enough that I asked him to take me to our local small hospital where they immediately did an MRI only to discover that I has a massive brain aneurysm that was bleeding into my brain!

They called a Columbus hospital (the closest big city to us) and asked them to send the life flight helicopter.
As soon as I arrived at Riverside Methodist Hospital - they deposited me into ICU and proceeded to do a 10 hour surgery on my brain.

They shaved my head - I look so silly (spooky), and I have a giant incision along the right side of my head that will hopefully soon be covered by hair. (For those of you that know me.... I have always had long hair, so it is odd to have hair that is only about an 1/8th of an inch long... and it's cold!)
Prior to the surgery - I am told that they had to bring my body temp down to 16 degrees Celsius, stop my heart, ... and drained a large portion of my blood to prevent further rupture and bleeding ....

It took me 2 to 3 weeks before I knew what was going on! I awoke in the hospital in completely unfamiliar surroundings!  Wondering... what the....? What happened? It felt to me like my husband and kids were gone. My house was gone. My dog & cat were gone. My clothes and possessions were gone. Everything was gone and I didn't know WHY. All I wanted was to go home. I was SO homesick! I had no memory of the last 3 weeks... to me it was still Oct. Little did I know that I had missed Halloween, the leaves turning, etc. A whole month had gone by without my knowledge.


Luckily my dad (living nearby) visited often. My nurses were wonderful. My surgeon was amazing. My husband (my hero!) & kids drove 4 hours to visit me as often as possible. I had many friends and family pulling for me! Thanks to you all! : )

So, I finally made it home! I am told that, alone, is a miracle. I still have physical therapy to deal with - but I am looking forward to anything and everything as long as I can be home!

I want to thank my doctor for his skilled hands, my nurses for all of their time and energy & caring natures : ) even in the light of my "ornery" behavior, my daughters and husband for sticking with me and keeping the home fires burning beautifully! Thanks to all of my family and friends for their prayers, well wishes, cards, love, good vibes, warm thoughts, well wishes, etc.

If I really am the miracle they say I am through all of this... I have no doubt that it is a  direct result of all of those good wishes & prayers so please keep 'em coming as I am far from done with all of this!  : )
Thanks again... and MUCH LOVE to you all!

Maria Warmke / The Stitcherhood

PS - I am slowly getting back to stitching (Christmas is coming!) but it is very slow as I only have 1 good eye at the moment. However - it is just so wonderful to be back to stitching, no matter how slow. LOTS to be Thankful for this year!  : )

28 comments:

DebbieSFL said...

Oh My Gosh!!! Thrilled that you are ok and will pray for you.

Nima said...

OMG...that sounded scary...Glad that you are back...and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Ranae said...

Oh my! what a terrible ordeal
So glad to hear your o.k. and on the mend
Take care!!!

Chris said...

Hi Maria!
I was thinking about you the other day and hoping things that were ok. I am so glad that you are recovering and on your way back to stitching.
The hair will grow back, but for now you have the chance to experiment with shorter styles on your way to growing your long hair back out :)
So glad that you are home for the holidays.
Best wishes,
Chris

Myra said...

Maria - I don't know what to say. Thank the Lord you made it through that. I can't even imagine how scary that was for you and your family. (((hugs)))

Michele said...

Oh Maria how very scary for you and your family! I'm glad everything went well and you are on your way to mending. You have a lot to be thankful for this year :)

Ann said...

Maria, how scary. I am so glad that you went to the hospital and they were proactive. Glad too that you are home now and adjusting to your new short hair! ~Ann

Maggee said...

Oh my goodness! It is such a surprise to hear that you were so close to death--you are too young! VERY glad to hear you are recovered enough to go home. Yes, you will have therapy but the alternative is just NOT acceptable! Have a very Happy Thanksgiving Maria! I will say a prayer often for your complete recovery! Hugs!

Mindi said...

I'm so happy things turned out well, I wouldn't want to think about the alternative. Your hair will grow back, and in a year it will be like it never happened.

ArchangelDecker said...

I am happy you are doing better. Sending prayers! :)

Peggy Lee said...

My goodness what a scary thing to go through. What a brave soul you are. Thank God you are on the mend now.
Sending (((hugs))) your way.

Mouse said...

ohhh good grief .. thought you had been quiet .... glad to hear you are on the mend and managing to do a wee bit of stitching ... take care and do as you are told :) love mouse xx

Lynn said...

OMG Maria, this is a miracle! Having worked in the hospital I know exactly what you have been going through. It's amazing that you have progressed as well as you have. I will offer prayers that your healing continues to progress.

Susan said...

I am SO happy to hear that you are OK - I had a feeling something was wrong but I didn't know how to find out what was going on. Take care of yourself and continue to get stronger and stronger. Blessed be!!!

Jo Ann said...

Maria, God bless you each and every day-and I am sure you know God HAS blessed you with your life. You were one very lucky lady! I will put you in my prayers every night. God Bless, Jo Ann

rosek1870 said...

I am so thrilled for you that you are on your way back. I will be praying for a full recovery. Enjoy your family and being home. I am sure this will be a very special holiday season for you all.

Cath said...

My Word , what an ordeal . Soo glad that you are doing well ,and sending lots of hugs and love your way.
take care . XXX

Sweet Sue said...

Glad you are home Maria, what a warrior you are to have gone through such a struggle. Wishing you wellness, love of family and the joy of each new sunrise:)

Lili said...

Hello! I am so glad that you are ok...Sending a lots of hugs!!!
Take care,
Lili xx

Lorie B said...

Maria, I found your site while you were in the hospital and prayed for you and your family since I heard from your husband regarding an order. I continue to send good healing thoughts your way for a quick and complete recovery. Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

Lorie

Karen said...

I am so pleased that your husband took you to the hospital.
Very happy the doctor was so skilled. You are a lucky gal.
Your skills will come back, just be patient. And be happy that you have something to work toward.
Please say thank you to hubby.
Best wishes...Karencg

Jackie said...

May heaven continue to smile on you.
Bless you.

Paula said...

Maria, How scary! I've been looking for you here! We've never met or talked, but I've still been looking for you. I can't imagine waking up and losing a month! Bless your heart. Please heal quickly and take care.
Southern Ohio stitcher here.
Paula

wranglerkate said...

You are SO lucky! Your guardian angel was with you. All best wishes for a speedy and health recovery!

Catherine said...

I can't begin to say how reading your post made me feel. You certainly have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Thoughts and prayers to you, your family and to those that cared for you during this time.

cl said...

I'm so glad to hear that you are on the mend. Continued recovery and improved health. You remind me how lucky we all are to live in a country with excellent health care and loving families.

Janice said...

I was checking back several times a week wondering where you had gone. I'm so glad to hear you are recovering and stitching! You have a wonderful family. You are in my prayers.

Witch of Stitches said...

Maria - I'm so glad you are on the mend! What a time you've had. Prayer and healing sent your way! XO