Cheers to 2013

Happy New Years Eve!

I hope everyone had a fabulous New Years with their loved ones. We had a fun NYE dinner with our sweet friends and called it a night! I don't think I'll even be able to stay up to see the ball drop at midnight --- in New York! {I'm lame these days, I know!} ; )

This evening my Dad and I met with Dr. Kim (Mom's Surgeon) in her hospital room. He is still very encouraged with Mom's progress and once again called this a "lightning speed recovery." I guess it's easier for him to call her recovery "lightning speed" because he sees this everyday. But in my mind, this has been the looooongest 9 weeks of my life!

Mom did all of her "tricks" for Dr. Kim and he was thrilled, she almost brought him to tears! He said that she will most definitely walk again, Amen! I don't think I mentioned this yet...but Mom started moving her LEFT HAND three days ago!! The movement is minimal but we know she can do it and we know we will see more when she is ready. Her respiratory therapists have started "capping" her trach and she can now breath for up to 8 hours on her own. All great news to report tonight!

This has been a huge week for her and we are so proud!! Thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers these past 9 weeks, God is listening to us and healing our sweet Momma on his timeline, not ours.

God IS Great!!

Cheers to a Happier and Healthier 2013.

Much Love,
Rachel


Here's our guy - Dr. Dong Kim

Our Very Merry Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Eve has always held a very special place in our hearts, 8 years ago tonight our sweet Grandpa Christ {Mom's Dad} went home to be with God. He's constantly on my mind every Christmas Eve and today even more so.

This morning I received one of the best phone calls I have gotten in a loooong time. It was my Dad, calling to tell me that Mom was moving her LEFT leg! {Joy To The World!!!} This is a huge step for her. The tumor and hemorrhage was on the right side of her brain stem {which controls the left side of the body} and for her to be moving her left leg is AMAZING! I know our sweet Grandpap helped play a huge roll in today's progress and we couldn't be more grateful!!!

Thank you Grandpap for making today so memorable! We needed it!

Merry Christmas to all!

Love,
Rachel

Mom's BEST Day yet!

Hello!

I wanted to fill all of you in on Mom's progress. This past week has been full of huge milestones for her! She has lots of new "tricks" up her sleeves these days!

A few days ago she started moving her right hand. Each day she has shown us more strength and more movement in her fingers and we've seen a few thumbs up!! Yesterday she was squeezing our hands, and when I say squeeze I mean a death grip squeeze!

Her right foot movement continues to increase daily! Toe wiggles, back & forth movement - you name it, that little foot can do it! Her eyes still remain open for an hour or two at a time and she can follow you around the room. {She was moved to a new room on a new floor and we love it - we call it The Four Seasons!!}

She was wiped out today - yesterday all of the grandkids stopped by for a visit! We had a blast taking pictures with Santa, eating cupcakes and running around Grandma's new hospital room! {It's about 3X the size of her old room, if you came to visit, you know exactly how tiny that old room was!}

Mom knows exactly what is going on around her and she can answer any question. It's pretty amazing. Yesterday Kelly and I asked her if she was happy while she was sleeping for five weeks and she shook her head NO! Poor Momma! She did tell us that she is happy now though!

We are so thrilled that she is continuing to heal each day, but we know it's going to a looong road full of ups and downs for her. We are just thrilled and so proud of her, it's exactly what we needed this Christmas.

Please continue to pray for a full recovery for our sweet Momma and for some signs of movement on her left side.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Love, The Sedlak Family

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad

Happy 42nd Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

As I grow older, I realize with each day how special it is to have parents like you. You have been the ultimate example I hope to be to my children, and I thank you for everything you have done. Your support and love towards to your family is unmatched! I want you to know that I love you both with all of my heart and of how proud I am to be your daughter!

We love you so much! Thank you for everything.

Love,
Kelly, Michael and Rachel

Cathy's Army of Angels

Hello friends and family,

I wanted to share a very moving story with you! Our dear Aunt Mary Ellen {My Dad's sister} who lives in Florida started Cathy's Army of Angels.

She started by asking our family to send Mom little Angels for her hospital room. These Angels are protecting and helping heal our Sweet Momma!

Well, Cathy's Army of Angels has taken off and we love it! Everyday we get boxes of Angels, today I think a dozen Angels were delivered!! Angels from all over the country! Each one is so beautiful and Mom loves it.

She has always been a big fan of Angels, when I was little I remember her telling my Dad that we needed lots of Angel statues surrounding the pool to watch over all the children swimming, and to this day we still have Angels all around the pool! Well, now these Angels are watching over you, Sweet Momma!!

John Chris and I delivered a little Christmas tree to Mom's room last week and we have been putting all the beautiful Angels on her tree and it looks stunning!

Thank you for storming the heavens with prayers for our Mom and thank you for all the Angels! We cherish each one.

Cathy's Army of Angels is a very powerful thing! Thanks for starting this amazing story Aunt ME.

Love, Rachel

An update on Mom

Hello everyone,

I wanted to give you a quick update on our Mom.

She has had several great days! She continues to keep her eyes open for an hour or two at a time and she has started to show more facial expressions. Yesterday she was answering my questions by raising her eyebrows if the answer was YES! It was truly a miracle! {Now I have the answers to several questions that have been lingering for 6 weeks, thank you lady!!}

Please keep the prayers coming, they ARE WORKING! God is Great.

Thank you!
Love, Rachel

A Blast from the Past!

Tonight John Chris and I were over at my Dad's house visiting and as he was looking for some addresses for me he came across these fun photos that I just HAD to share!

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Love, Rachel

 

Cathy Christ in 2nd grade!

 

 

Her 2nd grade yearbook page. So cute!

For favorite Car she put "Fard", I am guessing that means... Ford?!  

 

 

Lambda Chi Fraternity Party at Penn State!!!

 

 

That is Mom & Dad on the left.

Mom is pregnant with Kelly in this picture!

 

 

I love love love this picture of my Mom!

Nurse Catherine

Tis the Season

Seasons Greetings from Little Bear!

Tonight we did something festive with our Dad, we all went over to Mom & Dad's house to decorate the Christmas tree! The little kiddos had a blast. Katherine and Rebecca ooooh'd and awww'd over Mom's collection of ornaments. It is rather impressive - she has so many gorgeous ornaments and I know each one has a story behind it.

This tree is full of love and memories - I think it looks exceptionally beautiful this year!

Enjoy these fun pictures from tonight.

A great update!

Good evening friends and family!

Our hearts are rejoicing tonight as our Sleeping Beauty is starting to wake up!

Our sweet Momma has started to show some improved alertness over the last five days by opening her eyes a bit wider each day and keeping them open longer. Yesterday she kept them open for about TWO hours!

We are very encouraged by this additional activity but we know that she still has a very long way to go. These movements seem to tire her out immensely, so as we are very proud of her, we also want her to rest and heal.

What we continue to pray for now is a return of movement to her arms and legs. She has given us some very small movement of her right leg but we pray for more. {We know it will take time!}

God is answering our prayers! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all the thoughts and prayers these past five weeks. Our Sweet Mom is the perfect example of God's great work.

Please keep the prayers a'comin!

Thank you,
Rachel & John Sedlak

My Sleeping Beauty

My sweet sweet Mommy,

I cannot believe that it has been one month since your surgery. A part of me feels like it was yesterday and the other part feels like it was one year ago! I still remember our last conversation {clear as day}, you were telling me everything was going to be okay as they were wheeling you away from me. And you know what Mom, you were right {as always}, everything WILL be okay!

This past month has been difficult, okay it's been REALLY difficult. Every second of every day you cross my mind! You did a good job of preparing me for your surgery - you told me it was going to hard, you told me it was going to be really hard, but you didn't tell me it was going to be THIS HARD. I think you would be proud of me though, I've been very strong!!! I've stayed positive and kept smiling! Even on my weakest days, I feel myself getting stronger! ; )

Everyday I ask God to give me signs that everything will be okay and you know what...that man doesn't stop! I see positive signs all day long! Sometimes it's a butterfly or your favorite commercial on TV or a song on the radio, it's constant and I love it!

I missed you so much at Thanksgiving this year, Kelly did great and it was perfect but it wasn't the same without you there. I asked Kelly what I could bring or bake to help out and she gave me the task of dessert! What's one of the first things you think of when you think of Thanksgiving?! Pumpkin Pie! Yes, I was a little stressed to say the least. I think I called Kelly three times asking stupid questions about pies. After one practice pie, I got it right and it was perfect - Dad approved!

Dad is doing great by the way! One of the last things you told me was to take care of Daddy - and I am!! Kelly and I are keeping him well fed. He is the STRONGEST man I have ever met! He is by your side all day, everyday. He has every reason in this world to break down and yet he continues to be positive, kind and thankful.

I did something a little crazy this year and put up my Christmas tree before Thanksgiving. I am putting all my nervous energy into decorating these days! Christmas has never looked so good at my house! I am so thankful I inherited your Martha Stewart craftiness! ; ) That gift card you gave me for my birthday has been put to good use this season.

I can't wait for the day when we can go shopping and out to lunch again. Our favorite lunch spots and stores are calling our names! I'm ready for you to come back to us, Sleeping Beauty!

Thank you for continuing to be so strong and respond to us! Even while you are sleeping, I am still amazed by your strength. You've got this, Mom! xoxo

God IS Good!

Love, Rachel

One Month Post Op

Hello,

It has now been one month since Mom's brain surgery and we wanted to update you on her status.

Her vitals remain good but we still pray for an improvement in responsiveness. Her ability to respond remains limited to a flick of eyelid or a small wiggle of her tongue. We rejoice over small movements but they are not constant. A CT Scan was done of Mom's brain yesterday and Dr. Vinh reports that it looked okay but still showed swelling around the brain stem and blood that has not yet been absorbed. This is likely the reason for the lack of responsiveness and may take up to three months for the swelling to subside. She also had an EEG performed yesterday but we have not yet received the results of that test. An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures and records the electrical activity of the brain.

We know that we cannot predict when she will become awake and alert as this is a timetable set from above and when Mom is really ready to come back to us. In the meantime, we thank you sincerely for all of your thoughts and prayers. Keep them coming!

Here are a few fun pictures over the past year that remind us of all the fun we have to look forward to with our sweet Mom and Grandma!

Much love,
Rachel & John Sedlak

 

San Antonio fun!

 

 

Sweet Caroline

 

 

Greentree Lunch Dates

 

 

Pittsburgh visit with Kitty

 

 

Baby JCN3

 

 

Mom & Aunt Annie in New Jersey this past summer

 

 

The famous double rainbow sighting!

 

 

Sedlak's Way!

 

 

St. Patrick's Day

 

 

Washington D.C. trip with Dad

 

 

Sweet lunches with Becca B

 

 

Fun dinner dates!

 

 

Hugs to Grandma xoxo

 

 

Mother's Day Surprise brunch at The Houstonian