- G
- J
My little sister had a stroke. That is one of the most painful sentences that I have ever had to say, and I've said it over and over again throughout the last 4 days. As a pediatrician I have told a mother that her child has inoperable cancer; I have told grandparents that their three-year-old grandson will not survive his covert excursion to their backyard pool; I have answered a patient's question of "will I be ok" more times than I can count. Yet, no matter how heartbreaking each one of those conversations were, this time saying it out loud, or even typing it, is painful to the core of my being. My little sister had a stroke.
Laura called me the morning of July 22, my birthday. My phone rang at 5:45PST, which seemed a bit early for a rendition of our typical Happy Birthday song (the one they used to sing at Applebee's. Ya know..."Haaaaappy Birthday Birthday, Hap Haaaaappy Birthday Birthday..."), but I was excited to hear it none-the-less. Instead, when I heard her voice I knew immediately that something was wrong; Laura was afraid. She told me that she couldn't see out of her left eye, and that she had a headache. As the only medical provider in the family, it's not uncommon to get phone calls like these. "Sara, do I need to go in?? Tell me I don't need to worry." This time, though, both my medical training and the tone of my sister's voice told me that something was seriously wrong. I told her to go to the ER right away.
Over the next 24 hours Laura was admitted to the local hospital in Sioux City and then transferred to the University Hospital in Omaha, NE. As her neurologic status declined, concern grew and she was transferred to the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit for blood pressure support and more diagnostic testing. It was ultimately discovered that she had what is called a Carotid Artery Dissection, or tear in one of the main arteries supplying blood to her brain. An MRI showed two sizeable strokes, and multiple smaller strokes scattered throughout her brain. Initially her expressive language was most affected, but as swelling worsened (as is expected with stroke) she became more confused and groggy, ultimately not knowing who or where she was. Fortunately, over the last day or two she's become more alert again and even uttered a few words. Praise God. However, her status fluctuates by the hour, and we can only pray that as time passes she will continue to improve.
If you know my sister at all, you know that she is one of the strongest and most stubborn people you will ever meet. If she sets her mind to something, she accomplishes it. Single mom of three? Sure, she's got this. Work hard to save money and purchase a home on her own? Yep, done and done. Make a full recovery from a stroke that has taken away so much of her independence? If I know Laura, I would expect nothing less. And the doctors are hopeful, too. They are hopeful that with time and therapy, Laura will regain much if not all of the function she has lost. But the road will be long, and it will be costly.
Now here is where we can all help. My sister has three children, a home, and now tens of thousands of dollars (maybe more?) of medical bills and rehab expenses that she is solely responsible for. Again, if you know Laura at all, you also know that she is pretty private and would want to drag me through the mud if she knew I were asking for help on her behalf. However, imagine her joy, her relief, and her appreciation when she finds out that while in rehab her boys were taken care of, her mortgage was paid on schedule, and her medical and rehab bills were at least partially covered by friends and family who wanted to show their support.
I envision presenting her with this gift at a party when we celebrate her recovery and return back to independence. When we celebrate who she is and how far she has come. When we tell her how proud we are of her for working so hard, and that she can start her life up where she left off, instead of back at square one.
That is my hope, and I say Thank You in advance to all of you for any prayers and support, monetary or otherwise, that you give Laura on her road to recovery.
Sure, my little sister had a stroke. But, my little sister is also tough as nails.

Laura called me the morning of July 22, my birthday. My phone rang at 5:45PST, which seemed a bit early for a rendition of our typical Happy Birthday song (the one they used to sing at Applebee's. Ya know..."Haaaaappy Birthday Birthday, Hap Haaaaappy Birthday Birthday..."), but I was excited to hear it none-the-less. Instead, when I heard her voice I knew immediately that something was wrong; Laura was afraid. She told me that she couldn't see out of her left eye, and that she had a headache. As the only medical provider in the family, it's not uncommon to get phone calls like these. "Sara, do I need to go in?? Tell me I don't need to worry." This time, though, both my medical training and the tone of my sister's voice told me that something was seriously wrong. I told her to go to the ER right away.
Over the next 24 hours Laura was admitted to the local hospital in Sioux City and then transferred to the University Hospital in Omaha, NE. As her neurologic status declined, concern grew and she was transferred to the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit for blood pressure support and more diagnostic testing. It was ultimately discovered that she had what is called a Carotid Artery Dissection, or tear in one of the main arteries supplying blood to her brain. An MRI showed two sizeable strokes, and multiple smaller strokes scattered throughout her brain. Initially her expressive language was most affected, but as swelling worsened (as is expected with stroke) she became more confused and groggy, ultimately not knowing who or where she was. Fortunately, over the last day or two she's become more alert again and even uttered a few words. Praise God. However, her status fluctuates by the hour, and we can only pray that as time passes she will continue to improve.
If you know my sister at all, you know that she is one of the strongest and most stubborn people you will ever meet. If she sets her mind to something, she accomplishes it. Single mom of three? Sure, she's got this. Work hard to save money and purchase a home on her own? Yep, done and done. Make a full recovery from a stroke that has taken away so much of her independence? If I know Laura, I would expect nothing less. And the doctors are hopeful, too. They are hopeful that with time and therapy, Laura will regain much if not all of the function she has lost. But the road will be long, and it will be costly.
Now here is where we can all help. My sister has three children, a home, and now tens of thousands of dollars (maybe more?) of medical bills and rehab expenses that she is solely responsible for. Again, if you know Laura at all, you also know that she is pretty private and would want to drag me through the mud if she knew I were asking for help on her behalf. However, imagine her joy, her relief, and her appreciation when she finds out that while in rehab her boys were taken care of, her mortgage was paid on schedule, and her medical and rehab bills were at least partially covered by friends and family who wanted to show their support.
I envision presenting her with this gift at a party when we celebrate her recovery and return back to independence. When we celebrate who she is and how far she has come. When we tell her how proud we are of her for working so hard, and that she can start her life up where she left off, instead of back at square one.
That is my hope, and I say Thank You in advance to all of you for any prayers and support, monetary or otherwise, that you give Laura on her road to recovery.
Sure, my little sister had a stroke. But, my little sister is also tough as nails.
Organizer and beneficiary
Laura Otto
Beneficiary