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Past Year's Stories 2010's Recipient - Geoff and Michelle Plumridge Family Geoff & Michelle's Story
On October 15, 1995 we were making final plans for our wedding which was scheduled for November 4th. After driving home 500 miles from Minnesota, Geoff (then 24 years old) complained of the worst headache he ever had and subsequently loss of consciousness. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital and a CT scan, followed by an angiogram provided grim news that Geoff had suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm, survival of this injury is rare and full recovery unlikely. At the time, statistics suggested that of 100 victims, 50 would die before reaching the hospital, 25 would die before or during surgery, 12 would die following surgery and 6 would suffer permanent disability. So in other words, odds were not in his favor. He had an operation on October 17th in an all day surgery. A craniotomy was performed and a portion of the scull was removed. His brain was literally moved to provide access to the ruptured aneurysm and two “clothespin” like clips were applied to the artery. Following surgery he was in the ICU. While there, his intracranial pressure jumped due to brain swelling. He was given final rites of the Church and we began to try to deal with the likelihood of preparing for a funeral instead of a wedding. It was determined that due to the surgery, Geoff now had epilepsy. Anti-seizure medications were initiated and he began to wake up and his brain swelling diminished. He had months of rehabilitation, learning simple things like walking and counting change. You can only imagine how difficult this change was for a vibrant 24 year old. Over the years Geoff has had episodes of “auras” or “simple partial seizures” despite being on oppressively expensive anti-seizure regimen. In 2008 Geoff underwent a cerebral angiogram which unfortunately showed he had 2 additional aneurysms in his brain. The location of the aneurysms was labeled as “fascinating” by the neurointerventionist at Froedtert because he had never seen one in this particular location. While they are not an immediate risk due to their size, they must be monitored regularly to track any changes. Samantha will be 7 this year and Michael will be 6. While I was pregnant with Michael, my water broke at 21 weeks. I was hospitalized for 3 months and Michael was born a month early. He had serious breathing issues, including a collapsed lung that occurred during resuscitation efforts. He spent 60 days in the Children’s Hospital NICU learning how to breathe and eat on his own. He still has breathing difficulties when the weather is extremely hot or cold, or when the air quality is poor and he has learned that his playtime is sometimes compromised because of this. He still loves playing with his Hot Wheels (and fighting) with his sister like any normal 6 year old boy. In June 2008, our little Samantha was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She is a trooper taking 4 to 5 insulin shots a day and receiving four finger pricks per day to check her sugar. It turned out to be a blessing of sorts that Geoff also has Type 1 diabetes (he was diagnosed at age 2). This way, Samantha was used to seeing Daddy take shots and check his blood sugars. It will be a purely magical day when they discover a cure for Type 1 diabetes. Most people think, “Oh well, they can just take insulin to control blood sugars” – but it’s so much more than that. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death, the number one cause of blindness in adults ages 20 to 74, the primary cause of kidney failure and is responsible for 60% of non-traumatic amputations. It creates a need for a whole way of living, including monitoring foods and exercise. Samantha will be starting 2nd grade this fall and she is so good when it comes to eating “snacks” that her fellow classmates bring in for their birthday treats. Sometimes she amazes us with her maturity level, deciding to only eat half of the 3 inch thick sugar coated cookie with sprinkles instead of the eating entire thing, or even better, having her teacher check her blood sugar before biting into it. In addition to these extraordinary challenges, we’ve had many ups and downs just like any other family. We have an incredible support system with loving family and friends and our faith in God. We don’t know what’s in our future but we do know that medical bills including co-pays for diabetic maintenance drugs and Geoff’s regular CT scans will continue to mount. We cannot do this alone and would appreciate your help. One day, they WILL find a cure for Type 1 diabetes and Samantha will be able to eat that entire cookie without worry; wouldn’t it be great to say that you were part of this cure? Our family is very thankful for your time in reading our story and any donation, great or small is greatly appreciated! Please remember that “Life is Beautiful!”
This is me; Kara Rosel Nothem. I look like a pretty normal sixteen-year-old with pretty normal worries and problems. I don’t like showing my teeth in pictures. That was a brand new Hollister shirt that I bought that day, and my hair looked amazing so I decided to take a quick self portrait. You know the normal teen priorities, but what makes me stand out just a little bit more than the rest of the crazy teenagers in my life is what you can’t see in this picture, what I consider to be normal, my right leg. To most, my right leg looks like it’s in a cast, but to those who know me, they know better. I was born with a birth defect known as Klippel Trenaunay Syndrome, also known as KTS. There aren’t many KT cases, but each one is very unique. My type of KT involves vascular malformations, which are abnormal clusters of blood vessels in my veins, which is also why I have a lot of veins that make my right leg look bigger than my left one. My KT syndrome also involves hemangeomas, which are an abnormal, benign growth of the skin that can cause abnormal growth of blood vessels as well. I have a port wine stain, which is just a fancy name for a birth mark but with weaker skin. My leg is enlarged, and skin lesions are not uncommon to me. The cause of this birth defect is unknown, and there is no cure. But as more and more symptoms come up, more and more treatments are being found. I’ve had growth plates removed from my right foot, and my toes have been removed. I’ve been admitted to Children’s Hospital over a hundred times due to Cellulites, surgeries, and laser therapy, and I’m positive there will be many more times to come. Like I said before, I do stand out more than any other teenager, but as I also said, this is normal to me. This is my life. Yes, I do have pain and problems every day of my life, but this is who I am. To me, those obstacles are just hurdles, and all I have to do is jump right over them. Many people stare and point and make fun of me, but I think that reflects more on them than on me. I’ve had people stop being friends with me because they were embarrassed. I’ve seen people follow me around the mall when I’m shopping, and I also get the random person coming up to me and shooting me all sorts of questions. But to be quite honest, even though it does hurt me at the time, what doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger. I still live my life the way I want to, without letting those low points ruin the person that I am. I am a sixteen-year-old junior at West Bend East High School. I’ve student- directed two plays and am working on my third. I was voted Most Likely to Walk the Red Carpet for my school’s yearbook, and I absolutely love all my teachers. My friends and I watch tons and tons of movies on DVD and in theaters. Entertainment Weekly is my favorite magazine. I plan on going to college majoring in film, and I love folk parody bands. Going to the cabin with my family is without a doubt my favorite part of summer. From driving the boat to tubing with my brothers, I love every part of it. So, as you can see, I’m just an every day kind
of girl, and I wouldn’t be the person that I am today without those
people that give me a hard time. But mostly, I wouldn’t have made
it this far without my friends, who I can always count on for a
great get-away, and my family. My mom tells it like it is and keeps
me strong. My dad gives me hope and guidance. Thane has the best
shoulder to cry on, and Tyler always has laughter ready waiting
for me. Without my family giving me their love and support, I wouldn’t
be the optimistic, hopeful person I am today. Without them, I would
be the stereotypical pout sitting in the gutter crying over myself,
but no; I refuse to be that kind of person. That gets me nowhere,
but because of my family’s support, I’m actually getting somewhere. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- 2009's Recipient - Ryan Prom
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“Life is Beautiful” is
one of our all time favorite movies from director Roberto Benigni. It is an
unforgettable fable that proves love, family and determination conquer all. I
think the reason we love the movie so much is because it ironically reminds us
of our own lives. We are the Plumridges - Geoff, Michelle, Samantha and
Michael. 
2009's Recipient - Kara Rosel Nothem
My
name is Ryan Prom. I am 11 years old now. On June 8th, 2007 when I was 9 my Mom
and Dad and Children’s Hospital saved my life.