December 10, 2017

Jackson was at work.
Braxton, Kaydon, Colton and I headed to our 11 am church. Because my boys are the Aaronic Priesthood, we always arrive 30 minutes ahead so that they can prepare the Sacrament. When church started, Kaydon and Colton were sitting with the deacons and Braxton was sitting with me. I remember telling Braxton that I was extremely dizzy... then telling him that something was wrong. After that, I don't remember anything until I was in the ICU at the University. This is what I have been told:

Braxton took me out of Sacrament Meeting then home and changed my clothes. He called Jackson, then took me to the Kaysville Instacare. An ambulance was called and I was taken to Davis Hospital.

Braxton rode in the ambulance to Davis. Jackson met us there. A large TV was set up in the emergency room. The director of neurology at the University was Skyped in and did a stroke exam over the TV/monitor. He determined that he felt I was having a moderate to severe stroke. He asked my boys' permission to give me TPA. This is the medication that, if given within a certain amount of time, saves lives of stroke victims. The boys agreed that the benefits out-weighed the risks. The TPA was given to me at that point through an IV that took way too many attempts to get in. An ambulance then took me from Davis to University Hospital. Jackson rode in that ambulance with me. I was admitted to the Neurological Critical Care Unit (ICU).

Tests were done hourly, day and night. This included neurological checks, blood draws, etc. I was checked on constantly. I had monitors all over, as you might imagine. My entire left side from the tip of my head to my pinky toe was paralyzed, including my face. I was bed-panned and unable to swallow anything except my own saliva. Randy (we are no longer together, but he was an imperative part of this entire event, so he will be talked about in this blog for several posts... with his permission)met us at the University. He stayed with me the entire time, for which I am so grateful.

The time in the ICU was stressful and anxiety-ridden. I was positive that I'd be returning to work the very next day! When asked why I was in the hospital, I would respond that I was there simply because I was dizzy. I was still very confused. This was the beginning of an entirely new chapter in my life... our lives. My boys and I. My family.

And, so it began.