My mother, Nancy Kreikemeier of Dodge, NE, just celebrated her 17th grandchild’s first birthday. She exuded affection as she fed the little guy sugary foods and spoiled him. In the background, Nancy also orchestrated a group gift for her son’s wedding anniversary. She printed out past embarrassing photos of the couple and snuck it into their hands like the gift ninja she is. The very next day she suffered a massive stroke.

On April 4, 2022, Mom experienced vertigo, a common occurrence that is normally corrected with a visit to the chiropractor. When she was unable to get ahold of her chiropractor, she was left with an alternative option that may have saved her life. She went to the West Point Clinic’s Physical Therapy department for her vertigo relief. While Mom was at the clinic, she started to lose feeling in her left side. All the right people made all the right choices which led her to being life-flighted to UNMC in Omaha. Within a few minutes after arrival, she lost consciousness and brain surgery seemed to be the only option. The urgency of the doctors stopped the bleeding on Mom’s brain and allowed the inevitable swelling to occur, but in a way that would not cause further damage. Mom was left in a coma. Dad (Norbert Kreikemeier) only left her side when he was forced out after visiting hours. Mom’s 5 sons, 5 daughters-in-law, 3 daughters, & 3 sons-in-law rotated her bedside, but only one at a time because of the strict visiting regulations enforced since COVID. We did as Mom and Dad have taught us and came together in support. Support for Mom, support for Dad, and support for each other as we waited.

April 8th at 1:40 p.m., Mom opened her eyes and squeezed Dad’s hand “good and hard”. Since then, she has been in rehabilitation. You may ask, “How could someone immediately start rehab after having a stoke-induced coma?” That is because every single action becomes rehab at that point. Lifting your head, taking a drink, moving your hand, speaking, etc. all take effort and concentration. A person must retrain their brain to make connections to their body. The rehabilitation after a stroke is a long process that can take anywhere from 6 months up to several years.

The biggest factors in stroke recovery are time and therapy – and we desperately need your help to make sure Mom is able to continue the therapy that is SO crucial to her recovery.

Insurance has gotten Mom to this point, but starting September 1, Mom is expected to pay over $11,000 per month out-of-pocket for her stay at a skilled care facility to receive physical therapy until she reaches her goal of being capable of caring for herself with assistance from Dad at home. Only after she is able to return home will insurance cover some of the costs.

If you are able, we would appreciate your help to get Mom and Dad over this impossible financial hump. They need assistance to allow time for continued progress. Mom is not far enough along in her progress to go home, yet she has exhausted the incredibly short window that insurance has allowed for her to recover. With your donation, she could afford a few more months of care. A few more months could gain her more balance, more mobility, more of her old life back.

Since April, Mom has regained full motion of her right side and is working to strengthen her balance. Her left side is paralyzed, but there have been signs of progress: tingles, pains, and twitches that leave the doctors to believe her left side is trying to “wake up”. On July 11, Mom was able to squeeze Dad’s hand with her left hand. Mom is a strong determined person willing to work hard at her rehabilitation and her day-to-day wellbeing. Please consider supporting her so she can continue her recovery and enjoy the life her and Dad have worked so hard for all their lives.

Thank you,

Nicole Bengford and the Kreikemeier family.