Jeremy's Got This
Donation protected
I wanted to share with all of you Jeremy's story. Obviously this was unexpected and he was not able to prepare financially for the time off of work (he doesn't have disability insurance and being self employed doesn't pay for sick time). He's a very kind-hearted, hard-working man that has a big sense of pride and would never ask for help on his own. Many people have been asking about how to donate to him, so this is the tool to do so if you wish. I want to thank you ALL in advance for any help you're able to provide for Jeremy and his kids, Jaden and Allie!
July 27, 2018
Hey everyone! This is Tammy, Jeremy's favorite sister. I'm going to start off by saying, those of you that know me already know that I'm a "bit off" and have a sassy side with absolutely no filter (in other words, I say what's on my mind before thinking about being tactful or what some may deem as inappropriate). It just comes natural for me. For those that don't know me, please know that I apologize in advance and don't hold it against my brother or the rest of my family.
Today started off as "normal" and we had an evening planned to attend Jeremy's daughter's play. Allie displayed her amazing talent and performance as always. Afterwards, Jeremy, Mike, Mom, Dad, 3 other family friends, and I went to a local establishment in Janesville for dinner and drinks. After dinner Jeremy suddenly felt as he described it as "faint". I heard him say from a distance, "I hope I'm not getting what Tammy had" and then he said "I think I might pass out". I got up in an attempt to make sure he was okay. He was extremely diaphoretic (sweating profusely), complained of dizziness, blurred vision in both eyes and then became nauseated. Mike and I assisted him to a bathroom a few feet away where he sat on top of the toilet seat. The entire time I'd been coaching him to breath and I was applying cool towels to the back of his neck and forehead. Suddenly his talking became louder and he stated while holding his hands by his ears "I can't hear you right, you're all muffled". I flung that bathroom door open and yelled to call 911 and get help on the way and to tell them that he was having a stroke. I then proceeded to perform a neuro exam to the best of my abilities while he became less responsive very quickly, I lowered him onto the floor with Mike's help. Someone handed me the bar phone and the dispatcher was on the line trying to tell me how to do a neuro exam (the medical people out there can imagine my frustration and panic, this is my brother) I tried to do the best I could while trying to jump through the hoops and answer the questions while Jeremy became less and less coherent and his color was that of an embedding dead person. He then progressed to show further signs of neuro deficits such as slurred speech, tongue shift, decreased strength, arm drift and a greater decreased LOC. First responders arrived, and I helped place an oxygen mask, asked for a glucose check, a monitor, etc. The entire time looking into my parents eyes trying to ensure them "he's going to be okay". Medics arrived, assured me that the helicopter was landing, gave details I knew. (I was a freaking mess and couldn't get my nurse cap on). He was loaded, and on his way out of the establishment and he was pissed (those persistent sternal rubs hurt and were necessary-sorry bro). That's when Darin appeared and I was put in the ambulance in the front and he got to be in back with Jeremy and the medic to the ride to the bird. When Jeremy was put on the gurney and told he was going in the helicopter by the medic, he said "no, I'm not going, I don't need to". The medic explained the necessity of going and Jeremy responded "Are you going to pay for it?" The air team began to take information from me and I was asked who should be the primary contact person. I, of course, being the control freak I am, deemed myself and I was quickly assured they would take good care of him and that they would call me when they arrived at Abbott. We quickly said our "I love you's" and got into our vehicles and proceeded to the hospital. Mike, myself and a family friend (Gretchen) were the first to arrive. Mike and I were taken to his room and were told by his nurse that he was in MRI (which immediately threw a red flag up for me). Shortly after a neurologist came in and told us that Jeremy was having an MRI to further investigate a brain tumor that was found on the CT scan. (Insert any possible emotion you could possibly imagine here). Mike and I sat in silence. Meanwhile my parents, Darin, and Elisha had arrived and were anxiously waiting in the waiting room. Jeremy came back from MRI and was, understandable so, very upset and scared. We all were. Somehow, by the grace of God, I managed to walk out and break the news to the rest of my family. We all tried to "pull it together" and were allowed to be reunited with Jeremy in his ED room. Soon thereafter he was moved to the Neuro ICU. MRI results confirmed a tumor called a Central Neuroma which was explained to be "in the center of his brain", was most likely benign, larger than a golf ball, and would require surgical removal. At this point Jeremy was back to "baseline" with the exception of a severe headache and lots of emotion. Mike and I spent the remaining rest of the night in the ICU. The rest of the family left around 3AM. The next morning at 6:30AM the Neurosurgeon came in and presented to us the plan of treatment. He is a nationally known Neurosurgeon that is "the best" we were told. He was very honest and explained that this is a VERY big surgery. He stated he was confident in two things: 1) That it is benign and 2) That Jeremy is going to be "okay". We have full confidence in his skill and knowledge, which is reassuring. He started Jeremy on Decadron (to decrease swelling in the brain) and Keppra (to prevent seizures). Jeremy was moved yesterday out of ICU as he was considered "stable". He's currently in the "stroke center" on 8th floor in the "heart hospital". It's been a very rough emotional rollercoaster ride for Jeremy, as well as the rest of us. The surgery will be performed tomorrow morning (Monday) at 7:30AM. The surgeon explained that they won't know how long it will take until they get in, but said to expect at least a 6 hour procedure. After surgery he will likely go back to the ICU and should expect about a 1 week stay in the hospital and a 4-6 week recovery period.
As most of you are already aware, Jeremy is "ONE HELL OF A GUY", he's had A LOT to deal with physically, emotionally, and financially over the recent years. He's a very kind-hearted, hard-working, strong kind of person. He's been thrown another curve ball in this thing called life. We are a very close family and he has a ton of friends to support him. He's extremely overwhelmed with all he has going on with his farm animals, dog-raising, hair business, and his kids. He's a proud person and doesn't like to ask for help. But, I am his sister and I can ask for help for him. If anyone is able or interested, I know he would graciously accept any offerings you may be interested in giving. Let's face it, this is stressful in more ways than any of us could've ever imagined. I want to thank each and everyone of you that has supported him and the rest of us in anyway thus far. It TRULY MEANS THE WORLD TO US!!!
I've always teased Jeremy and told him he was "special, a-special-kind-of-special". Now he's my "Brother with a freaking brain tumor Special"! ;-) Up to this point we've all been through so much emotion but remain to still laugh a little and try to keep things "light". I'd be lying if I didn't admit that Jeremy, as well as the rest of us, are SCARED-SHITLESS!!!
PLEASE KEEP THE PRAYERS COMING! THEY ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED BY ALL OF US! Tomorrow is going to be a difficult day. My intention is to update throughout the course of the surgery on this site. I will do the best I can to keep everyone informed. I will also post any further information as the time comes in respect to when he'll be able to have visitors and such.
In closing, THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU!! JEREMY'S GOT THIS!!!
Love, Tammy (Jeremy's sister and biggest supporter)
July 27, 2018
Hey everyone! This is Tammy, Jeremy's favorite sister. I'm going to start off by saying, those of you that know me already know that I'm a "bit off" and have a sassy side with absolutely no filter (in other words, I say what's on my mind before thinking about being tactful or what some may deem as inappropriate). It just comes natural for me. For those that don't know me, please know that I apologize in advance and don't hold it against my brother or the rest of my family.
Today started off as "normal" and we had an evening planned to attend Jeremy's daughter's play. Allie displayed her amazing talent and performance as always. Afterwards, Jeremy, Mike, Mom, Dad, 3 other family friends, and I went to a local establishment in Janesville for dinner and drinks. After dinner Jeremy suddenly felt as he described it as "faint". I heard him say from a distance, "I hope I'm not getting what Tammy had" and then he said "I think I might pass out". I got up in an attempt to make sure he was okay. He was extremely diaphoretic (sweating profusely), complained of dizziness, blurred vision in both eyes and then became nauseated. Mike and I assisted him to a bathroom a few feet away where he sat on top of the toilet seat. The entire time I'd been coaching him to breath and I was applying cool towels to the back of his neck and forehead. Suddenly his talking became louder and he stated while holding his hands by his ears "I can't hear you right, you're all muffled". I flung that bathroom door open and yelled to call 911 and get help on the way and to tell them that he was having a stroke. I then proceeded to perform a neuro exam to the best of my abilities while he became less responsive very quickly, I lowered him onto the floor with Mike's help. Someone handed me the bar phone and the dispatcher was on the line trying to tell me how to do a neuro exam (the medical people out there can imagine my frustration and panic, this is my brother) I tried to do the best I could while trying to jump through the hoops and answer the questions while Jeremy became less and less coherent and his color was that of an embedding dead person. He then progressed to show further signs of neuro deficits such as slurred speech, tongue shift, decreased strength, arm drift and a greater decreased LOC. First responders arrived, and I helped place an oxygen mask, asked for a glucose check, a monitor, etc. The entire time looking into my parents eyes trying to ensure them "he's going to be okay". Medics arrived, assured me that the helicopter was landing, gave details I knew. (I was a freaking mess and couldn't get my nurse cap on). He was loaded, and on his way out of the establishment and he was pissed (those persistent sternal rubs hurt and were necessary-sorry bro). That's when Darin appeared and I was put in the ambulance in the front and he got to be in back with Jeremy and the medic to the ride to the bird. When Jeremy was put on the gurney and told he was going in the helicopter by the medic, he said "no, I'm not going, I don't need to". The medic explained the necessity of going and Jeremy responded "Are you going to pay for it?" The air team began to take information from me and I was asked who should be the primary contact person. I, of course, being the control freak I am, deemed myself and I was quickly assured they would take good care of him and that they would call me when they arrived at Abbott. We quickly said our "I love you's" and got into our vehicles and proceeded to the hospital. Mike, myself and a family friend (Gretchen) were the first to arrive. Mike and I were taken to his room and were told by his nurse that he was in MRI (which immediately threw a red flag up for me). Shortly after a neurologist came in and told us that Jeremy was having an MRI to further investigate a brain tumor that was found on the CT scan. (Insert any possible emotion you could possibly imagine here). Mike and I sat in silence. Meanwhile my parents, Darin, and Elisha had arrived and were anxiously waiting in the waiting room. Jeremy came back from MRI and was, understandable so, very upset and scared. We all were. Somehow, by the grace of God, I managed to walk out and break the news to the rest of my family. We all tried to "pull it together" and were allowed to be reunited with Jeremy in his ED room. Soon thereafter he was moved to the Neuro ICU. MRI results confirmed a tumor called a Central Neuroma which was explained to be "in the center of his brain", was most likely benign, larger than a golf ball, and would require surgical removal. At this point Jeremy was back to "baseline" with the exception of a severe headache and lots of emotion. Mike and I spent the remaining rest of the night in the ICU. The rest of the family left around 3AM. The next morning at 6:30AM the Neurosurgeon came in and presented to us the plan of treatment. He is a nationally known Neurosurgeon that is "the best" we were told. He was very honest and explained that this is a VERY big surgery. He stated he was confident in two things: 1) That it is benign and 2) That Jeremy is going to be "okay". We have full confidence in his skill and knowledge, which is reassuring. He started Jeremy on Decadron (to decrease swelling in the brain) and Keppra (to prevent seizures). Jeremy was moved yesterday out of ICU as he was considered "stable". He's currently in the "stroke center" on 8th floor in the "heart hospital". It's been a very rough emotional rollercoaster ride for Jeremy, as well as the rest of us. The surgery will be performed tomorrow morning (Monday) at 7:30AM. The surgeon explained that they won't know how long it will take until they get in, but said to expect at least a 6 hour procedure. After surgery he will likely go back to the ICU and should expect about a 1 week stay in the hospital and a 4-6 week recovery period.
As most of you are already aware, Jeremy is "ONE HELL OF A GUY", he's had A LOT to deal with physically, emotionally, and financially over the recent years. He's a very kind-hearted, hard-working, strong kind of person. He's been thrown another curve ball in this thing called life. We are a very close family and he has a ton of friends to support him. He's extremely overwhelmed with all he has going on with his farm animals, dog-raising, hair business, and his kids. He's a proud person and doesn't like to ask for help. But, I am his sister and I can ask for help for him. If anyone is able or interested, I know he would graciously accept any offerings you may be interested in giving. Let's face it, this is stressful in more ways than any of us could've ever imagined. I want to thank each and everyone of you that has supported him and the rest of us in anyway thus far. It TRULY MEANS THE WORLD TO US!!!
I've always teased Jeremy and told him he was "special, a-special-kind-of-special". Now he's my "Brother with a freaking brain tumor Special"! ;-) Up to this point we've all been through so much emotion but remain to still laugh a little and try to keep things "light". I'd be lying if I didn't admit that Jeremy, as well as the rest of us, are SCARED-SHITLESS!!!
PLEASE KEEP THE PRAYERS COMING! THEY ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED BY ALL OF US! Tomorrow is going to be a difficult day. My intention is to update throughout the course of the surgery on this site. I will do the best I can to keep everyone informed. I will also post any further information as the time comes in respect to when he'll be able to have visitors and such.
In closing, THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL OF YOU!! JEREMY'S GOT THIS!!!
Love, Tammy (Jeremy's sister and biggest supporter)
Organizer and beneficiary
Tammy Delaske
Organizer
Waterville, MN
Jeremy Hanks
Beneficiary