“Glidden Strong” - Asks for your support ❤️

To all of our dear Family, Friends and fellow Prayer Warriors,

It has been over two months since our mother, Annette Glidden, suffered a cardiac arrest and she remains in Sanford Medical ICU. Many of you may not know what preceded her medical emergency nor the details of the days, weeks and now months following. We want to share the story of not only God’s hand of protection and His mercy and goodness in the form of several miracles; but also to share the steadfast love of a husband for his wife.

After a meeting on June 7th, Mom wasn’t feeling well and went directly to a previously scheduled cardiology visit where she was found to be in AFib. She was treated with a cardioversion (shock to the heart to restore regular rhythm), kept overnight in the hospital and was sent home the next morning on an oral medication. Not long after arriving home with both Mom and Dad resting in the family room, Dad was awakened by Mom who was in full cardiac arrest. Dad performed CPR until paramedics arrived who then rushed her to the ER where Dad was told she had no pulse. She was gone. In shock, Dad asked to do the only thing he could in that moment and with the full medical team looking on, Dad laid hands on Mom and began to pray. Suddenly someone shouted, “We have a pulse!” and the team flew into action.

Mom was air flighted from Bemidji, MN to Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND while Dad drove 2 ½ hours in his traumatized state not knowing what he would find upon arrival. After being stabilized, Mom was on full life support; her kidneys and liver had shut down and it was feared there was damage to her brain due to prolonged lack of oxygen and blood flow. We were told it was 40 minutes and that the chances of having any brain function was very low; and in fact, most people do not survive.

From her arrival to the ICU and for almost this entire time, Dad has remained by Mom’s bedside; sleeping in her room each night on a small pull-out cot. Depleted physically, mentally and emotionally, he occasionally agreed to stay with one of us at a nearby hotel or convinced to go home for a short breather while we stayed with Mom. From the beginning and for several weeks, Mom’s condition was touch and go as we kept vigilant and advocated for her care around the clock. We almost lost her a few more times. The days were filled with constant activity – blood draws and transfusions, countless procedures, medication adjustments, daily dialysis, medical team meetings and staff changeovers. Dad became known as the resident “husband”; fighting for the life of his love of 57 years, advocating for her, praying over her as well as the medical professionals many of whom prayed along with him admiring his faith-filled spirit. Dad has certainly won the hearts of many through this journey, showing constant appreciation for staff, expressing affirmation and startling stoic doctors with his big bear hugs. The staff came to know from the start that we were a force to be reckoned with; a family who is vigilant, asks a multitude of questions and challenges decisions and perspectives where needed. Early on, Dad’s words to a specialist really hit home when Dad humanized Mom stating, “She’s not just ‘most people’, she’s my wife”. To another doctor, when she suggested Mom’s quality of life may not be what she would want, Dad replied, “It’s not for us to decide the length of her life. God determines that. I choose life. Period. We will take care of the quality.”

Throughout this journey we were advised not to get our hopes up; that Mom’s condition was grave. These messages only served to strengthen our resolve as we continued to trust God. Mom is truly a miracle; having survived both the cardiac arrest and again after coding during a procedure. It is also miraculous that her brain function appears unscathed. We have been told by multiple medical staff that they’ve never known anyone to survive 40 minutes without oxygen flow, let alone with fully intact brain function. And now her kidneys are returning! We were told she would likely need lifelong dialysis. Miracle after miracle…

After multiple setbacks, Mom’s status is improving day by day, with so many answered prayers. She is now in ICU intermediate care downgraded from acute care. She is working towards weaning off the ventilator and eventually the tracheostomy. Mom can whisper with the help of a voice valve. She is on a feeding tube but now eating soft foods. We expect the tube to be removed soon. PT is working on mobility and strength. A huge praise is her kidneys are almost fully functional and we hope the dialysis port will be removed soon.

Oh, but the heart… the catalyst in all this. We are told she needs to regain strength and get back on her feet only to undergo a serious open-heart surgery to repair the leaky valve and open the blockages in her arteries – LAD is 75% blocked and RCA is 100% blocked. We are praying for another MIRACLE.. that through divine intervention she will not have to undergo such an invasive surgery but that her leaky valve would be HEALED and the arteries can then be opened less invasively through angioplasty. Please pray for this!

You have faithfully supported us in prayer from the start and we are deeply grateful as we see the Lord working in so many ways; not only in Mom's journey for healing but in transforming hearts and touching lives all around us. God is good and we see His mercies, protection and presence every day. On behalf of our family, we thank you all for your steadfast prayers, your calls, texts, hospital visits, helping with Mom and Dad's yard maintenance, mail pick up and taking care of their beloved dog, Izzy, and so much more..

So many of you know and love Annette and Ken. You’ve shared life together; many of you for decades. If you know them, you can’t help but love them and you know in your heart they love you as they show love in action in so many ways. You know they are the most giving, sacrificial, loving and caring people; always lending a hand, opening their home, giving financially even when they don’t have it to give, helping with a project, rushing to your side with a hug, a meal, prayer, anything you need. Their love and marriage has been an inspiration and example to us all.

To ask for your financial help is very difficult. To be vulnerable and in need and receive is so hard for the natural givers they are. In fact, the thought has not even occurred to Dad. Therefore we, Ken and Annette’s daughters, are asking on their behalf and without their knowledge for your financial help. As you can imagine, the out-of-pocket medical bills and expenses will be huge. At the age of 79, Dad is not retired and has worked his entire life. He is also a 20 year veteran of the US Navy. In fact, Mom is a veteran as well, serving until her pregnancy with me (Laura). Dad has lost income from his city bus driving and will be unable to drive his school bus route this Fall as he cares for Mom. The students will greatly miss “Bus Driver Ken”. We anticipate there will also be needs for transportation and home alterations as well as home health care expenses and equipment after rehab.

In addition to your continued steadfast prayers, we humbly ask for your financial support to alleviate at least some of the stress and burden on Dad. Truly, we will be grateful for any amount you can contribute. 100% of the funds will be transferred to Ken and Annette. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you all for your prayers, encouragement and support. With grateful hearts, we thank God for His protection, healing and provision during this time. He is working in mighty ways! We continue to believe and trust for Mom’s complete healing.

With gratitude,

Laura, Sharon and Molly