Courageous Kerry
Donation protected
On Wed, June 19, Kerry suffered a brain bleed/stroke while helping Steve work. Below is Steve’s story ... can’t be written any better than that ...
December 4, 1985 I met the girl who changed my life. (Kerry Szczesek) The day we met I knew she was special and it didn't take long to figure out she was "the one". We officially started dating February 4, 1986 and have never been apart since. We were married on February 13, 1988, were blessed with 3 of the best kids in the world (ShaneSzczesek, Tyler Szczesek, Kyra Szczesek) and now have 2 amazing grandkids. We are real - things weren't always perfect but we stuck by each other through every up and down/high and low. Fast forward to Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at around 1pm - my whole World came crashing down when my daughter came to get me and said "something's wrong with mom - please hurry!" As is often the case, Kerry was with me, working - was doing some painting and got dizzy. My first instinct was to treat a low blood sugar since she's a type 1 diabetic - give her some sugar and she'd be fine in a few minutes and we'd carry on business as usual. Well , this time was different. We got her blood sugar up to a safe level but she was still unresponsive. 911/ambulance/local hospital/helicopter ride to Charlotte's main hospital all by 4:30pm....and the two of us have been here since that time. It turns out that she experienced a brain bleed/stroke that had her left side without feeling or movement. The emotions of anger (of this happening to her), fear, helplessness washed over me like nothing I've ever felt before. This girl has been my rock - always being the voice of reason; always trying to make me believe in myself the way she believes in me... Just a strong, strong woman! It was then that it hit me and "Suddenly" I knew that it was my time to really shift my focus to one thing and one thing only - my bride's well being! I've prayed hard, kept my emotions in check (extremely difficult for me to do) and have tried to be exactly the person she would be for me if the roles were reversed. We are now roughly 65 hours in and, while trying not to be too ahead of ourselves, let me just tell you how incredible my wife is!!! She woke up at 5am Friday morning and instantly started doing the exercises that the PT/OT gave her to do. She's regaining feeling more and more with each moment that passes. She's definitely getting frustrated but she's determined. She's definitely scared - who wouldn't be!!?? - but little by little I think she's finally starting to believe in herself the way I believe in her. I expect there will be hurdles to get over and small mountains to climb but if anyone is capable, it's her! As I sit here rubbing her arm and watching her sleep the feeling of love is so strong and so powerful. Our vows stated "in sickness and in health". I never really gave that any real thought but I totally get it now. I guess sometimes we need a gentle prod or, in this case, a giant slap up side the head to bring us back to what is important in life. LOVE. FAMILY. FAITH. The rest is just a little irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.
Sooo...if everyone could please keep my awesome wife, Kerry, in your thoughts and prayers I'll be forever grateful because she's everything to me and our kids.
Kerry, I know you'll be reading this soon. I just want you to know how much I love you. I'm here for you now and forever for whatever you need me to do. Our wedding song was "Suddenly" and that's how we fell in love. Our lives "Suddenly" changed a bit on Wednesday but I know it won't be long before you are back to everything you want to be. Until that time, just know that you were perfect then, you're perfect now and you'll always be perfect to me!! I love you more than words can explain. I'd say "don't give up" but that doesn't even have to be said. We all know that's not in you. You've got this!!! - but we're all here to be a little helping hand if you'll let us. I love you!!!
That being said, Steve and Kerry do not have any health insurance. He is the hardest working person I know. He has had a few tough breaks with jobs, but never gives up. He is back on his feet, working hard, running his own business (Quality Renovations) working 7 days a week, many times 12+ hrs a day. This will not bring him down ... but if you have anything to give to help them through this major bump in the road, I know they would be forever grateful and appreciative. We are hoping we can take away some of the stress they are facing so they can focus on getting Kerry back on her feet to be herself again. I know a lot of people ask for donations ... and we are not that kind of family ...
Thank you ahead of time from the bottom of our hearts!!!
December 4, 1985 I met the girl who changed my life. (Kerry Szczesek) The day we met I knew she was special and it didn't take long to figure out she was "the one". We officially started dating February 4, 1986 and have never been apart since. We were married on February 13, 1988, were blessed with 3 of the best kids in the world (ShaneSzczesek, Tyler Szczesek, Kyra Szczesek) and now have 2 amazing grandkids. We are real - things weren't always perfect but we stuck by each other through every up and down/high and low. Fast forward to Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at around 1pm - my whole World came crashing down when my daughter came to get me and said "something's wrong with mom - please hurry!" As is often the case, Kerry was with me, working - was doing some painting and got dizzy. My first instinct was to treat a low blood sugar since she's a type 1 diabetic - give her some sugar and she'd be fine in a few minutes and we'd carry on business as usual. Well , this time was different. We got her blood sugar up to a safe level but she was still unresponsive. 911/ambulance/local hospital/helicopter ride to Charlotte's main hospital all by 4:30pm....and the two of us have been here since that time. It turns out that she experienced a brain bleed/stroke that had her left side without feeling or movement. The emotions of anger (of this happening to her), fear, helplessness washed over me like nothing I've ever felt before. This girl has been my rock - always being the voice of reason; always trying to make me believe in myself the way she believes in me... Just a strong, strong woman! It was then that it hit me and "Suddenly" I knew that it was my time to really shift my focus to one thing and one thing only - my bride's well being! I've prayed hard, kept my emotions in check (extremely difficult for me to do) and have tried to be exactly the person she would be for me if the roles were reversed. We are now roughly 65 hours in and, while trying not to be too ahead of ourselves, let me just tell you how incredible my wife is!!! She woke up at 5am Friday morning and instantly started doing the exercises that the PT/OT gave her to do. She's regaining feeling more and more with each moment that passes. She's definitely getting frustrated but she's determined. She's definitely scared - who wouldn't be!!?? - but little by little I think she's finally starting to believe in herself the way I believe in her. I expect there will be hurdles to get over and small mountains to climb but if anyone is capable, it's her! As I sit here rubbing her arm and watching her sleep the feeling of love is so strong and so powerful. Our vows stated "in sickness and in health". I never really gave that any real thought but I totally get it now. I guess sometimes we need a gentle prod or, in this case, a giant slap up side the head to bring us back to what is important in life. LOVE. FAMILY. FAITH. The rest is just a little irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.
Sooo...if everyone could please keep my awesome wife, Kerry, in your thoughts and prayers I'll be forever grateful because she's everything to me and our kids.
Kerry, I know you'll be reading this soon. I just want you to know how much I love you. I'm here for you now and forever for whatever you need me to do. Our wedding song was "Suddenly" and that's how we fell in love. Our lives "Suddenly" changed a bit on Wednesday but I know it won't be long before you are back to everything you want to be. Until that time, just know that you were perfect then, you're perfect now and you'll always be perfect to me!! I love you more than words can explain. I'd say "don't give up" but that doesn't even have to be said. We all know that's not in you. You've got this!!! - but we're all here to be a little helping hand if you'll let us. I love you!!!
That being said, Steve and Kerry do not have any health insurance. He is the hardest working person I know. He has had a few tough breaks with jobs, but never gives up. He is back on his feet, working hard, running his own business (Quality Renovations) working 7 days a week, many times 12+ hrs a day. This will not bring him down ... but if you have anything to give to help them through this major bump in the road, I know they would be forever grateful and appreciative. We are hoping we can take away some of the stress they are facing so they can focus on getting Kerry back on her feet to be herself again. I know a lot of people ask for donations ... and we are not that kind of family ...
Thank you ahead of time from the bottom of our hearts!!!
Co-organizers (2)
Kim Szczesek-Wozniak
Organizer
Jamestown, NY
Jodi Werts
Co-organizer