May 27

The end of another weekend already! In some ways it feels like we've been dealing with hospitals for ages, though in reality it's been 3 1/2 weeks. Clarence and I had a Family Team Meeting on Friday at the hospital. This involved meeting with Leanne's doctor, nurse, teacher, social worker, therapists, and anyone else who is at all involved with her. About 10 people altogether. They all gave a full report on Leanne's progress. There wasn't anything that we didn't already now, but it was interesting because this was her first "report card" ever. They all spoke of her as being cheerful, positive, and hard-working, which was great to hear. She's actually been told to slow down, because she tends to do all her activities with sometimes too much energy! These are some of the things we heard. Leanne's now on a regular diet. She can eat anything she wants. The doctor told her to practice singing in the shower as singing involves different techniques than talking. Apparently there are people who cannot say a word, but can sing them beautifully! In Leanne's case she's also been talking more and more, and just needs to slow down sometimes because she's got too much to say too fast. She can stand up by herself, with her right leg also supporting her weight, but she has to be careful not to overbalance. This afternoon while I was taking a nap she got into her wheelchair by herself off her bed without a problem. I think this is not recommended in case she overbalances, but it does show her independence and ability to do this without help. She cannot yet move her arm but this is entirely normal. The leg heals first, then the arm, then the hand. All in good time. So the Lord is continuing to work on her, and to our joy she is still quite positive and cheerful-at least when we see her!
This weekend was less busy for her than last, but she had friends over for lunch and supper, and some of them accompanied to her to Toronto with Clarence while I stayed home. Busy but fun.
One of my good friends is putting together a schedule, week by week, for drivers to Toronto. Some of these drives will bring me to the hospital during the week, once or twice (Clarence drives Sunday nights and Fridays). Some of these would bring a friend or two. It's encouraging for her to have company to look forward to at the end of a day full of school and therapy. Some of you have offered to drive, but I have to admit my memory doesn't hold a lot these days. If you are willing/able to drive sometimes, would you please let Julie DeHaan know? Her phone number is 905-957-9184, her email is wilcoandjulie@gmail.com.
Once again, thank you everyone for your prayers, and everything else. What a blessing it is to see the community of saints working together!

May 24

No big changes this week, but constant progression anyway. Leanne's getting in and out of her wheelchair with ease, able to eat anything, and talking more and more. She has to check her speed (of talking) otherwise her words get mixed up. But it's a whole lot easier to communicate now. She's quite busy with therapy and school before 4:00, but has a chance to relax after that. Last night I was there with some friends (hers and mine) and we decided to go out for supper with Leanne. I had thought is might be a big hassle, but it worked out very well. Permission was granted without any issues, and though it took us a while to get somewhere because of heavy traffic, it was a very fun outing. We'll have to do that again!

Busy weekend

I do not think I will ever forget my 40th birthday. As if it wasn't exciting enough to have Leanne come home, and a sister here from B.C., and my wonderful friends taking total charge of my birthday party, Leanne talked!

Saturday morning I was in the livingroom. I had set her up in the kitchen with some waffles (no one else was up yet), and I heard, "Mom, Mom!" She wanted her waffles cut! Since then she's been saying more words, exciting anyone who hears them.  One of her friends got her to play the piano last night, so there were the two of them, Leanne playing left hand, Anika playing right. What a beautiful sound and sight that was! The weather's been gorgeous, so she likes to sit outside as much as possible, working on her tan. It only took about two hours, and she looks like she's been outside all week! I wonder if she's going to be catching up for those late nights and napless days when she gets  back to the hospital. It's been a stimulating weekend!

birthday surprise

Today I had my early birthday surprise! My sister is here from B.C!  My wonderful husband thought it would be good timing for her to come for a visit since it's also my birthday tomorrow. Very few people knew this. I tried to get the secret out of Leanne but she feigned ignorance, so I thought she didn't know. She's finding it beneficial to be silent sometimes!
So today she's coming home. The last two days she's been sitting in her wheelchair all afternoon, rather than just an hour or two, so that will make it much more pleasant for her. She can join us wherever we are. It will be a busy weekend, but very enjoyable I'm sure!

May 17

Leanne seems to have settled in quite nicely. MacMaster was great, but this place is better for a longer stay. She shares a room with another girl but the room is nice and big and when the curtains between them are opened we have a nice view. The window even opens! (I know, it's the little things here that are exciting.) Leanne has her own desk and drawers, and there is LOTS of space for cards, though that space is rapidly filling up. We took all the cards from MacMaster and hung them up yesterday. They also have a bathroom in their room. For meals they go to a patients' cafeteria  and get a few choices of foods. Apparently the food is a lot better here. We've also been outside and there are nice paths to take walks on, away from the noisy roads. So for a hospital it's not at all unpleasant. For any of you wanting to visit, the hours are from 4:00-8:00.
We want to say thank you again to all who have offered help in many different ways (and those who have already helped). It sounds like we will not have to stay overnight  in Toronto since she is coming home for weekends. And when we go during the week (not every day) we will go after lunch and head home on time after supper so we can still spend time with the other kids. I may need a ride every once in a while if for some reason Clarence can't go, and I will feel free to ask those who  have offered. Others of you have baked, or cooked or cleaned or made phone calls, or taken care of the kids, or given rides to them. And numerous other things. We could not have managed without all that for the past three weeks. Also in this we see God's goodness. How humbling it is to have all that support!

Day 1 at Bloorview

It already feels like we've been here a long time! We've met so many people and received so much information... But I'll start at the beginning. We were at McMaster by 8:30 this morning. Leanne was still sleeping, and so had to be woken up and rushed through breakfast because the transfer people were ready for her by 9:00. After a long drive, and admitting, we started the process of meeting all kinds of people. I'm sure we'll get to know them all, but  for now things are  a little confusing. However, 2 things really stick out. We already met two staff members who are from the same church we are (just different towns). One is even related, so that was very exciting. Meeting those 2 with similar backgrounds as us was very comforting. It's not such a foreign world here anymore.
The second thing, even more exciting (sorry) is that Leanne can come home this weekend!!! Unless something changes, we can take her home Friday afternoon, and because it's a long weekend (I've never been so happy about a long weekend) she doesn't have to go back til Monday night.  I will have to learn to give needles which she needs  twice a day. I'm not excited about that part, but it doesn't look too difficult, and if that's what it takes to get her home, I'm not complaining!

Last day in Mac

Today is our last full day at McMaster-tomorrow we're off to Holland-Bloorview Rehab  Centre! She'll be transported by OPT (Ontario Patient Transfer for you non-Ontarions, something like an ambulance for you Dutchies), and I am allowed to come along with her. The drive will be quite a bit longer, seeing as it's in North Toronto, but this is apparently the best Children Rehab Centre in Canada, so I guess we're not that far compared to the rest of Canada. I'll post visiting hours once I find my little piece of paper with that information back. So Leanne's room is starting to look empty. All the cards-and there were many-are off the wall, and her belongings are sorted out according to what comes home and goes along. Once she's been there a few days she will be assessed as to how safe it would be for her to come home on weekends. Then someone comes over to assess our home, and then we should find out when she can start coming home on weekends. That will be very exciting when that happens!!! It's been an amazing 12 days since her stroke. We've gone through a lot of emotions, shed some tears, but through it all we have been able to laugh and smile, because we know our God is good. He has blessed us abundantly!

May 14

Yesterday we enjoyed a visit with Leanne with the whole family-good thing the hospital has other areas to relax since her room is kind of small for all of us! She got to go for a walk outside (in the wheelchair), and work on her tan for a bit. Leanne's getting good at one handed charades-we're not quite so good at the guessing part:)
We had taken a picnic supper, and pepperettes were included in that. Leanne didn't think that was very fair at all, and gestured quite meaningfully that she wanted one too. I wasn't so keen on that, seeing as she's still supposed to be eating soft foods, though she did have a salad a few days ago. I gave her the Ipad and she wrote that she would have NO problem swallowing that. Well, she got the sausage, and did very well with it. I don't think we'll be telling her therapists about this-especially the one who's in control of her food!! So back to mush today:)

Day 10
Many of you have been asking what Leanne's prognosis is. Is she going to walk again or talk again, or even recover fully? The bottom line is we don't know. Everything looks hopeful. The fact that shes improving every day is a positive sign. That she's ready to go to a rehab center already is impressive. Ultimately only God really knows, and we'll accept what He gives us with gratitude. But the doctors and nurses are very positive about the outcome. As one nurse said, "Our goal is to get her back on piano." And for those of you who know her well, you know that's probably her goal as well. She's the determined type, and that can only help. It will be a long road for all of us, but knowing we're not alone because we are believers, and because of the support from all our family and friends, we know it will not be an impossible journey. Instead it will be a journey on which we're carried the whole way through, and not on our own strength.

Day 8

My dear husband made me stay home this morning and sent  a dear friend of ours (who is one of Leanne's other 'Moms') to keep her company. So we didn't get there til about 2:30, which made for a very short stay--at least that's what it felt like!  Today we've been talking more with the doctors about the Rehab Centre in Toronto. Apparently there is an opening on Tuesday already. Clarence and I really want to check out the place before she goes though, so hopefully we can do that on Saturday. On the one hand it's good that the doctors declare her ready for that. It means that medically she's very stable, and now she just needs to work on physical recovery. On the other hand it's very hard, because we might not be able to see her every day. However, we've been told by our friends and Leanne's that she WILL get company often, because they'll make it happen. How good it is to be surrounded by so much love! We also know that Leanne's ready for whatever needs to happen. Her calm countenance and ready smile encourage us constantly.
Diana

Day 7

I'm not sure I'll ever take my bed for granted again. I went home last night for the second time (a few nights ago a wonderful sister-in-law stayed overnight), and left Leanne alone. Very strange feeling, since I'm with her so much. But she really didn't mind. For now the plan is for me to come home at nights, and get a ride to the hospital with someone else in the mornings so we don't have two vehicles parked there, and I can get a ride home with Clarence. That way I can see more of the other kids too, and at least eat breakfast with them. During the day they will be at one of our friends' house so they can keep going with schoolwork and have some routine. Leanne is eating quite well on her own, and is slowly able to try more. Yesterday she had banana koek, and loved it, as well as egg salad. Hospital food is not very appetizing so we do have to tempt her with other morsels. Spoiled child:) The therapist has been discussing the future with us. Since Leanne is progressing so well, the therapist is putting in a referral to a Children's Rehabilitation Center in Toronto-apparently the best one in Canada. It will be farther away for us, but she would be very busy there, so she wouldn't need us there all the time anyway. We don't know when that will be, but it again shows how well she is doing.

Day 6

Every day we see God's mercy towards us! Yesterday Leanne was able to move her foot up several inches which amazed all who saw it. She's getting more sensation in her arm and leg every day. Her speech therapist was amazed at her improvement since Saturday. Sat she had been able to obey one command at a time, and yesterday she could easily do more. We were also given several papers with pictures that Leanne could point to when she wants something, and we're starting to learn a bit of sign language.

They're confident this will not be long term but right now it just makes it easier for her.

In all this Leanne's been quite accepting, not showing frustration. I'm sure there will be frustrating times in days to come, but she is fully aware that she is in God's hands and does not need to worry about the future. And we as parents really feel the communion of saints close by and world wide. How good God is to us!
Diana

Day 5

More progress! Saturday evening Leanne got moved three doors down-out of ICU. They'll still check up on her til tomorrow but at least she's not being "bothered" every hour anymore. She is now only hooked up to her I.V. until she eats and drinks more. Its hard to have an appetite for hospital food though! Yesterday was a fairly calm day for her. Her aunt Jane was with her until we got there mid afternoon, and then all was quiet until some of her friends showed up-end of quiet! They did up her nails and put in her earrings and hung up her cards, and chatted away for two hours! That certainly made her day. After that a wonderful nurse showed us how to get a Facebook app on this apple iPad-so we, that is Leanne, is now fully connected to the world again. Apparently blog and email didn't fully cut it! So they did another catscan on Sat. Yesterday the results showed quite an improvement as far as the clot goes. It's small enough so she is no longer in the danger zone. Today will be the first day of lots of therapy-speech, physical and who knows what else, I guess we'll find out. There is so much to be thankful for. As believers we find ourselves rejoicing constantly, being built up by all you who leave messages, and our visitors. I'm sure you can understand we can't even begin to respond to all the messages though I'd really like to. If I didn't have competition from Leanne I might have been able to:) The offers of help have also been amazing. The communion of saints is a beautiful thing! Diana

Day 3 Continued

I've been asked to explain more clearly Leanne's medical status and prognosis, so here goes. Just remember I'm not qualified in the medical field so it's going to be quite simplistic. So two days ago Leanne had a stroke which is kind of rare for kids. Which is why that did not come mind when she was first brought to Welland hospital. Their first thoughts were either drug overdose or seizure when her blood work showed up clear. It was a few hours later when she finally came to that they realized she had no feelings in her right side that they suspected stroke. At that point they acted quickly and sent a helicopter from McMaster Childrens Hospital in Hamilton to come and get her. There, with an MRI, they found a blood clot in the left side of her brain--hence the stroke. The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and speech and communication. Since she first woke up she's been fully able to understand what is going on. Maybe not to the full extent (but then I didn't either), but when she was asked to do things like squeezing a hand or raising a foot she would try and cooperate as much as possible. She could also (with difficulty) shake or nod her head. She could write with her left hand (not bad for a rightie) but it didn't make sense to us. Right now she is on blood thinner which will hopefully diffuse the clot slowly without breaking it apart because that could clot other areas. There also watching that the thinner doesn't thin the blood too much and cause bleeding in the brain. She will get another Catscan today to see any changes in the clot, and depending on what that looks like, she could be in a regular ward by Monday.
By today we've already been seeing changes. She can feel someone touching her right arm and leg, and has a little bit of movement in them; she is able to type her name; she nods her head with ease; she's eating soft foods-her swallowing abilities are fine; she can feed herself if the food's not too messy; she is able to sit without support. All these things are little things but such big milestones for her already. She still has a long ways to go but all these little things are positive.
We do not know where she'll be at in one month, or two, or three. But right now we're not worrying about that. We take it one day at a time knowing that God will continue to carry us each of those days.
Diana

Day 3

Thank you everyone for your overwhelming response. It's one thing to know our church family but entirely amazingly to see how worldwide it is. And to find out how many are praying for her is very humbling because we realize it\s not only our prayers that are going up. Leanne received an iPad for my birthday (how is that even fair-now I still have to share it!) in the hope that she could use it to communicate with us since she can't speak. Yesterday morning she was not able to type anything that made sense but last night she was able to type in her name to get into her gmail. Very exciting! She spent a long time reading her many emails and responses to this blog. I think it was rather overwhelming for her, but she needed to see that she's not alone in this. She had some of her best friends over yesterday and I know that it meant a lot to her. The nurses were amazed at the support we've been getting, but finally had to put a bit of a stop to it because she was too tired. So if you stop by there is a chance you will not be able to see her, but if you don't mind putting up with me (Diana) your visit will not be wasted :) I'm expecting someone shortly so I'll write a better update a little later. Diana

Friday night May 4

Just a short update with little news. We went to see Clarence and Diana and Leanne after supper. They had a short list of things they liked to have: homemade bread, cheese, hageltjes and a few more practical things.
We took Megan because she really needed to see her mom.  Each of us were able to see Leanne for about 2 minutes and we thought she looked wonderful, taking in everything that happened around her and responding to our questions by shaking her head or squeezing our hands. Lots of reasons to be grateful. Leanne is aware that many people pray for her.
When Diana comes home some time tomorrow she will take over writing the blogs.
Jack and Jenny Vanderveen, grandparents.

Today Leanne recieved a lot of visitors.  While she was very grateful, the nurses noticed it was quite was tiring for her.  There will be ample opportunity for visits in the coming weeks, and while we realize a lot of people would love to see Leanne they recommend only visits from immediate family until further notice.

Friday, May 4

As many of you many know, yesterday morning Leanne was found unconscious and was taken to Welland Hospital.  It was decided that she should be airlifted to McMaster Childrens' Hospital in Hamilton.  The diagnosis was that Leanne had suffered a stroke at the age of 16, leaving her paralyzed on the right side of her body and unable to speak.

She was able to understand what had happened to her and could communicate to her parents with hand squeezes and big smiles, albeit a bit lopsided.

Since this is not Diana writing this, I don't know all the medical terms so I will leave those up to her to explain later. 

Leanne is able to read your comments on her Ipad so feel free to show her your support via comments or Facebook.

Please keep Leanne in your thoughts and prayers.  She has a long road ahead of her but we know that she is in the hand of our Heavenly Father.