Thank you Jean

Another post from Dad.

I have been remiss in not thanking the person most responsible for me being here, and that individual is Jean. It is the "first respondent" who has the greatest say in who survives. In a seminar given to physicians, it was determined that your spouse should be the one trained in survival techniques, as he/she was the one most responsible for your survival.

Jerry

Easter in Pender

Here are a few pictures of our trip to Pender over Easter. We had a great time dying Easter eggs, going to breakfast at Popo's, Fish Fry at Schreib's, and just hanging out with family. It was great to see Dad up and round - what a difference a month makes! The boys enjoyed time with their cousins and Nana and Pop. What a special trip to make - so many things to be thankful for.

A Post from Dad

Here's a comment Dad posted to the blog and I thought I would make a post out of it. It's obviously great to have Dad "back".

BE ON THE ALERT!!!! I am now catching up - having read julia's whole 48 page blog on my transformation from a piece of warm meat to whatever I have become today. My read on it is that I have recovered about 95% of my mental and about 75% of my physical capacities. Not that those percentages mean much (compared with what I started with) but a lot better than the chance the surgeon gave Jean after he tapped my head to release the pressure. "He told her that my chances of surviving that night were less than 5%. When I saw him last week (first time I remember meeting him) he told me that he had never had a case as bad as mine that made it as far back as I did - go figure!"

Anyway, THANKS for all the support, thoughts, and prayers. Something had to work for me to be able to still be here!!!

Jerry Karlen

Neurosurgeon Follow Up

Dad had a follow up with the neurosurgeon yesterday and everything went well. He had a cat scan and the ventricles are the right size, everything looks normal, etc. Great news!

While meeting with the Physician's Assistant, Dad asked if Dr. Durwood was available as he really wanted to meet the man that saved his life. The PA said sure and Dr. Durwood spent about 20 minutes with Mom and Dad. One question they had was around the "consistency" of Dad's blood during the surgery (basically, the heart doctors were interested to know if Dad was on the right dose of blood thinners). Apparently, normal is b/t 2 and 3 and Dad's blood was 2.5 - so he was right where he was supposed to be. Dad was able to stand up, shake hands, and thank the man that saved his life and I know this was very important to him.

During the conversation, Dad said that Dr. Durwood mentioned how in all of the procedures he has done like this, Dad is definitely the best case he has seen. Obviously, many don't make it and if they do, they have severe limitations. It truly is unbelievable.

With the Natasha Richardson tragedy, I have thought even more and more about how lucky we truly are. Although Natasha's injury was from a fall, it was nevertheless a brain bleed like Dad suffered. And she was a healthy 45 year old woman. What a testament to my Dad's inner strength.

Mom and Dad also dropped off gifts for the staff in the therapy wing and Dad said that everyone was complimenting him on how he looked, how he was walking, etc. An aide from the stroke ward came up and gave him a hug, asked how Jacki was doing, and told him how good he looked. Another testament to how well Dad has been handling all the trauma he has been through and how people remember him (and his family).

We are headed to Nebraska tomorrow and I can hardly wait for the boys to see their Nana and Pop. I don't think I have ever been so thankful to be going home with my boys - it is truly special that they will be able to see their Pop. What a blessing.

A 5 Year Old's Kindergarten School Application

Last night, I had to sit down with Drake and complete some questions for his Kindergarten school application. He had to answer the questions and I wrote them down. Here's the output.

Please list THREE reasons why you would like to attend Highline Academy Charter School.

1. I would like to go to see what all the schools are like.
   
2. because I am a smart boy and I like to go there.
   
3. I like my school the bestest, maybe another school for Kindergarten.
   

We expect our students to give 100% effort and require students to attend a lunch time or after school study hall if homework is not completed from the night before or if the quality of homework does not meet the teacher's expectations. How do you feel about that?

good because I like school.

Our school community is based on five core values REACH (responsibility, empowerment, aspiration, citizenship, and honesty). Which value do you think would be the most difficult for you to live consistently? Why? (try to explain these words to a 5 year old - definitely a test of my thesaurus skills!).

Honesty because you have to think here and there. Think everywhere. Because it is kind of hard if you didn't see and you have to tell the truth.

Our school community considers a "C" (below 80%) failing. Students who fail 2 or more classes are recommended for retention. What would you do if you were recommended for retention? What class do you think you might most struggle with academically?

Have somebody help you by telling - a child can help you. College because that is the last school.

Share a time when you violated school rules and what you did to make it right.

I was 3 years old. Someone bit me and they thought it was me. By telling when I got up, they asked what I was doing, I told them I didn't do it. Luke did it. He was 4 - he knew better.

Please list THREE things you hope to get done by the time you are 25.

1. Go to school because I like school instead of staying home with Mom because I want to get "work" done (he's referring to "Montessori" work).
   
2. Not stay home on Saturdays and Sundays.
3. I want to be good at stuff.
   

Graduation Day

This Monday, Dad officially "graduated" from both occupational and speech therapy. Way to go Dad! He's still hoping to do some more physical therapy to help with his strength and balance. He is able to walk without his walker, but not as long as he would like.

I'm very excited because I have booked tickets to bring the Peavy family home to Pender for Easter. We will be spending 4 days in Pender - enjoying time with Mom and Dad and the Geisert family. I know the boys are very excited to see their "Nana and Pop" and spend time with their cousins. I think Marshall is also excited to be off and work and take in some of the Master's on TV. We'll be on our way a week from today - woohoo!

Dad has his follow up cat scan with the neurosurgeon next week. We're looking forward to more good news!