We were so happy to go to Trauma Awareness Day at LRMC. Two and a half years ago we nearly lost Mikey, and today he told his story, thanked his saviors, and listened to other inspiring stories of the many miracles that happen routinely. We are so blessed!! Brad got our contact information and hopes to do a public service announcement piece featuring none other than Mikey about the dangers of drinking and driving.

We went to Englewood today for Mikey's belated birthday trip. We chose Englewood because of the beauty and the fact that one can find lots of shark's teeth (hopefully not sharks though). We brought a cooler of sodas, some chips, three fishing rods, some bait, towels sunscreen. It was a beautiful day. Happy birthday Mikey the Miracle!! 22 years old May 12th. WE LOVE YOU!!!

A bump in the road!

Not even 12 hours after my last post Mikey was transported to the ER by ambulance. He apparently had at least 2, maybe 3 grande mal seizures during the night/early morning. He was at Tommy's house in Dade City. It was a harrowing experience for us all. After arriving at the ER he had another seizure. Tests (CT, blood work, tox screen, MRI) all indicated that he had indeed several seizures and now has the diagnosis of epilepsy. He has not been on any anti-seizure medicine for about a year--Thankfully the tests did not reveal any acute brain bleeds, or new areas of concern. After lots of medicine, IV fluids, sedation he was admitted to the Pasco Regional Medical Center progressive care unit. Overnight he started to come out of it--very confused, speech garbled, etc. The way the neurologist explained it was this--

having no seizures after a Traumatic Brain Injury (which is true for Mikey) is a harbinger for later issues and possible seizure activity. The damaged area from the accident over 2 years ago becomes "trigger happy" and could be set off at any time, for a multitude of reasons.

In this case we believe it was a combination of a busy day and a late night playing video games. We are all very very relieved that he was discharged again tonight with medication for his seizures which he will have to take for at least 2 years, maybe forever.

We are also extremely thankful this happened while Mikey was laying down so he did not hurt himself worse by falling. Another reason for gratitude is that Tommy was there and he was not alone. As you can imagine, we are floored and traumatized by this most recent event, but at the same time so very blessed for the Grace that had it happen in the way it did.

I am convinced that Mikey has a guardian angel watching over him.

Spring 2012

We have transitioned into an easy routine these days. Mikey seems happy wherever he is, and continues to show improvement in all areas. We traveled up to NC to see Granny (my mom) and the rest of the Karnitschnig family--Teresa came from California so it was a family reunion of sorts, and a belated 80th birthday celebration for my mother. She turned 80 in November of last year, but the holidays were upon us and we could not coordinate a proper celebration. I am attaching a picture of us at a skating rink. It took some timing to get Mikey to smile and not look like a Cheshire cat!!

Fall 2011 Time flies

Sorry, way overdue for an update. Brian is back in Florida for a bit officially "laid off" from AIS just until the project starts back up in Feb. Until then I think he can collect some unemployment compensation. He is here helping his father with the business (Rosegger Aquatics). Mikey splits his time between Dade City and Lakeland. Morgan is now a freshman in high school. Florida weather is glorious these days with news of blizzards and rain we have 80 degrees sunny weather. Here is a picture of the 3 children taken recently in Ohio while they were there visiting Omi and the rest of Tommy's family. xoxoxo

We begin a new chapter now. Mikey is still improving, mostly back to his old scampy self. Brian, in the meantime has secured a position as field biologist for a company working with the federal government doing data collecting on oyster populations out of New Orleans. This job is related to the Deep Water Horizon--BP Gulf oil spill of last summer. Brian flys out today to the "Big Easy"--he will have a rental car waiting for him and they put him up in hotels. Its called an "at-will" postition, but it is fulltime. Yay for Brian. Over the weeks/months the changes in Mikey have been more gradual. The twinkle in his eyes and his one-of-a-kind humor are intact. The attached picture I snapped on Sunday at the mall--It was one of those "Oh Mom--really" moments, but who knows when I will have all three together at the same time again, at least for a few months. Morgan, meanwhile is in the Keys for lobster season, so I have Mikey all to myself this coming weekend.

Mikey turns 21

Cannot believe it, Mikey is now 21 years old. We went to Cocoa Beach and stayed at the Hilton to celebrate. We booked an oceanfront room and lived it up. Life is good!