I (this is Gregory) am suppose to write my monthly update next week, but considering full our last week has been I thought I would give I quick list of things from last week (9 to 10 days actually) and then some more details for those that want it.
Summary
- Smoothly drove through 7 states in one day [Thursday, May 10th]
- Attended graduation for the first time (Greg, [his doctoral hooding on Friday, May 11th])
- Spent a day with friends in Illinois
- Spent a day with the Hansens in Indianapolis
- Had a mild stroke (Greg) [at 4 A.M. on Mother's Day]
- Spent a day with the Harts in Michigan
- Spent 2 days driving back through 7 states [with only one driver]
- Arrived home in time to survive 4 tornadoes
- Taught piano lessons on an electric piano with no power (Danielle)
- Were without power for 66 hours (Greg had power at work)
- Got chastised by ward members whom we didn't tell we were without power
- Showered at the medical school (Greg and Victoria)
- Showered at the neighbor's (Danielle)
- Spent many hours over 3 days with 3 doctors (Greg)
- Accepted an adjunct position at Albertus Magnus (Greg)
- Had a paper accepted but had to quickly redo all the figures (Greg)
- Missed 4 days of school for travel and 3 more for weather (Victoria)
- "Gets" to ride the bus for the time being (Greg, doctor's orders)
Graduation
We enjoyed our drive west. We had a great time seeing the friends and family that were a large part of our life for the 5 years we were there. The one sad part was the other grad student, Andy, that finished the week before me wasn't able to come back. So my advisor, Andy (not at all confusing), only to got to hood one of his first two Ph. D students.
Weather
We got back to Connecticut hours before 3 tornadoes touched down in our ward and the ward just north of us. Danielle was cooking [macaroni and cheese] when the power went out. Moments later her piano students showed up. She did well with what she had. There was bumper to bumper traffic on the main road just outside our house for hours. Then, just before going to bed, they closed the road and made everyone turn around and find another way north.
One of the tornadoes went through the state park across the street. Utility crews have been working 17 hours on and 7 off. Victoria's school was canceled Wednesday through Friday. Because we were traveling just before [all of this,] our frigde was mostly empty and we didn't lose much food. [In fact, we] could fit all that was left in the freezer, with a bag of ice. People have been very kind to us. We have had dinner invitation for the last three nights (including from Kathrine and Steven), Danielle has been able to shower at friends, and do laundry (which we were also in the middle of when the power went out and we needed since we had been traveling.)
Our power come back on Friday in the late morning. Apparently we never turned off the stove from trying to cook dinner 3 nights before. When Danielle can home from doing laundry at the bishop's (2 ish hours after the power came back one) she found this in an otherwise empty pot on the stove.
Danielle here: Besides this spatula, which is still usual but will instead be framed on our kitchen wall, we only lost 7 eggs and 3 cups mayo due to loss of electrical power.
Lots of the people to the north of us are still without power and we don't know if Victoria will have school on Monday. [She did but the school buses have all been rerouted.] Though at this point the have extend the school almost to the end of June to make up for all the days they have been missing.
Stroke
Sunday I woke up with difficultly seeing and walking. I thought that the difficulty walking was a result of the difficultly seeing. So I just had Danielle drive. After four hours we beat Spencer and Becca to their ward (Something I take an unhealthy amount of pleasure in). I enjoyed holding Aaron and going to nursery with Spencer. After (and even some during) church Spencer asked me a bunch of questions and did simple tests on me, but by that time only my vision had problems, any other stroke symptoms I had had fixed themselves.
Upon arriving back in Connecticut (hours before the storm) I want to acute care (the same as urgent care). They sent me to the ophthalmologist. He determined that other than a little near nearsightedness (I'll soon be joining most of you in wearing glasses) nothing was wrong with my eyes and I should be checked for neurological problems (especially after hearing our family history). So after seeing an internist I got an MRI and MRA yesterday evening. They determined that I had a mild stroke. It was from clotting not blooding, but it isn't what they would expect if the clot was from a PFO. [It was near the brain stem which is apparently an unusual location.]
Stroke
Sunday I woke up with difficultly seeing and walking. I thought that the difficulty walking was a result of the difficultly seeing. So I just had Danielle drive. After four hours we beat Spencer and Becca to their ward (Something I take an unhealthy amount of pleasure in). I enjoyed holding Aaron and going to nursery with Spencer. After (and even some during) church Spencer asked me a bunch of questions and did simple tests on me, but by that time only my vision had problems, any other stroke symptoms I had had fixed themselves.
Upon arriving back in Connecticut (hours before the storm) I want to acute care (the same as urgent care). They sent me to the ophthalmologist. He determined that other than a little near nearsightedness (I'll soon be joining most of you in wearing glasses) nothing was wrong with my eyes and I should be checked for neurological problems (especially after hearing our family history). So after seeing an internist I got an MRI and MRA yesterday evening. They determined that I had a mild stroke. It was from clotting not blooding, but it isn't what they would expect if the clot was from a PFO. [It was near the brain stem which is apparently an unusual location.]
I am to take aspirin and Lipitor for now. On Monday I'll be tested for clotting problems and they are still working on scheduling an echocardiogram (just in case) and a visit with neurologist. In the mean time I am to go to the ER if anything else happens or gets worse (my vision is still far from ideal) and I have to be careful or I'll stress Danielle out.
