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Tuesday, April 6, 2004 9:43 PM CDT

Today Erin meet with the therapists for the second time, to do some more testing and evaluating of Erin. Erin said that she talked to them about when she would possibly be able to return to work, drive, and stay at home alone. They told Erin that she should stay home at least 3 more weeks or so before returning to work at the Chippewa Herald. They said that they want her to go back part time for awhile when she does go back, until she feels good enough to be there full time. As far as driving, they said she should only drive in our sub division when I am in the car for right now. And as far as being home alone, they said that she should only be alone for no more than 3 hours at a time. Erin is going to do as the therapists say. She is kind of disappointed, because she feels good and sometimes wants to be doing more, but she understands that it is for the best for her saftey and others. Erin said that next week, one of the therapists wants to come look at Curves for Women with Erin, to see if Erin could go back to work there part time like she was. They also want Erin to work up some ads like she does normally at her job at the Chippewa Herald, to see how well she does with it. Well, that is everything in a nut shell for now. Erin meets with the therapists again on Thursday to do some more testing. I will let all of you know how it goes.

Love all of you, and God Bless!!!

Tim

Thursday, April 1, 2004 7:55 PM CST

Erin is doing wonderful. She is doing more and more things around the house everyday. Yesterday I took her to town shopping and visiting, from about 8am till about 2pm, because she wanted to get out of the house for a while. She is walking and getting around much better. Erin got a little car sick and tired, but that was it. We stopped at Erins work place, becasue she wanted to see everyone. She was so happy to see all her work friends and be able to talk to them all. Erin really misses being back at work. She is tired of sitting home all day (the tuff life). She realizes it is going to take some time before she will be able to go back to work full-time, because she gets so tired easily. Erin would like to start by going back slowly working a few hours here and there as soon as her enegy level gets better. After a nice sleep after going to town, we then went for a walk around our sub division.

Today Erin and I went to go to the clinic for another doctor appointment and CAT scan. Erin didn't hardly get car sick at all as I was driving. Erin first had to have the CAT scan. Then she meet with the Therapists to do some physical and mental tests. I don't know if you want to call it good news or not, but the therapists told me that Erin has a little bit of a problem with her attention skills and memory. He figures the slight problems in memory is from her not being able to keep attention to some things. He scheduled two more times next week to see Erin and keep working with her on these things. I look at this as good news, because this is something that can come back in time with just a little work. At least Erin is able to do things on her own. Even Erins handwriting has gotten back to normal, last week she had a hard time with signing her own name. Lastly we meet with the doctor that did the surgery. He was very impressed with the way Erin looked and how well she is improving. He said that the CAT scans all looked ok. The only thing we need to do is put some medication on her head to soften a small scab area so it heals better. He told us that he would like to see Erin in 2-3 weeks just for another follow up to look at her head. I asked if he thinks Erin could be left alone at home, or if we still should have someone sit with her at all times. He told us that he thinks she would be fine, but we need to ask the Therapists on our next appointment with them.

I can't believe it's only been 3 weeks and one day since this had all started. Everyday I see more and more improvement with Erins healing.



Take Care Everyone,

THe Brunkes'

Monday, March 29, 2004 12:55 AM CST

Sorry everyone for not updating the journal lately.

Erins doctor appt. last week Friday went good. I was unable to go, so Erins friend, Jennifer LeDuc, took her in for me. Erin meet with her OB doctor and they said that the baby looks to be healthy. I think sometime next month is when we will have another ultrasound. As you may recall, when Erin was in the hospital after the surgery, they did a ultrasound and they thought it might be a baby boy. Next month they told me they will let me know for sure what the baby is, because at that time the baby was only about 3-1/2 months along, and it is a little early to tell. I am still praying for my baby girl, but I wouldn't mind a little boy again as well. Erin also meet with her speech therapists. They are going to meet with Erin a different time, so they didn't do anything with her at that time. Erin also had her heart monitor taken off, and the nurses didn't say anything to her about it, so we are hoping that everything looked good with that as well.

This week Thursday we will be meeting with the doctor again that performed the surgery. He wants to see how everything is looking, and I think they will be doing another CAT scan to make sure there is no more bleeding.

As of right now Erin is feeling ok. She is very tired yet, and sleeps most of the day away. Erin still gets bad headaches, usually in the morning and late at night, and she gets car sick very easily. We still have someone sit with her while I am not at home. The doctor said that this a good idea for right now. On Thursday, we will find out how much longer he thinks we need to keep doing that. It keeps my mid at ease, knowing someone is with her at all times.

On Sunday Erin, I , and Mitchell went to church together for the first time since she had been in the hospital. Everyone was so full of surprise when they saw her. People were coming up to Erin and I and giving us big hugs, and told us how they had been praying for her. Our Pastor, Pastor Chuck Apple, announced to everyone in service that the miracle they have been praying for has happened, and Erin is sitting with us here today. Erin started to cry and I admit, I got a little teary eyed. I would like to ask anyone that could make it this way one Sunday, to please come join us for a Sunday sevice. I feel that because of you, and your prayers for Erins healing, is why she is doing as well as she is today. What better way to Thank God for that, but to thank him with Erin and I at Church one Sunday morning. If you are interested in coming, please email me at my home email address, tbrunke5534@charter.net, and I will give you directions, and make sure that we will be around that Sunday. I know for Easter Sunday we might be gone out of town, depending how Erin is feeling.

Love You All And God Bless!!!!

Wednesday, March 24, 2004 10:43 PM CST

Well, another beautiful day has come and gone. Erin is home with Mitchell and me once again. I picked Erin up at the Hospital today after lunch. Before Erin could leave the hospital, we had to have the clinic install a heart monitor on her. They want to monitor her heart for the next few days, to see how it is at home. The time she was up in the hospital, her heart rate was very slow. I guess usually someone that is dehydrated, their pulse rate is usually high, but Erins was only around 50-65 the whole time. So they want to monitor the heart as a precaution to make sure something isn't wrong with her heart. What Next??? Erin will be meeting with Dr. Ebersold on Friday morning for a check up, and I believe to also get another CAT scan. Erin will also meet with the therapists after that. Then on April 1st she will have another doctor appt., with a different doctor, not quit sure what that one is for. Then she has a doctor appt. on April 8th with her OB doctor. Busy, Busy, Busy!!!!!

Mitchell was so excited to pick mom up tonight when I got him from daycare. Little did he know I had already got her and she was in the car waiting. I put him in his car seat and he never noticed her until she turned in her seat and looked back at him. He was so happy to have mom back home again.

I have been trying to keep her up to date with all the emails that everyone is writing. If any of you want to come visit us, please feel free to do so, the only request I have is call first. Erin does need her rest, but if we know a day that you are coming, we can make sure that she has her rest before you come.

Love and Prayers,
Tim

Tuesday, March 23, 2004 9:25 PM CST

Just want to let all of you know, that Erin is looking and feeling much better. They have had her on an IV since she came into the ER yesterday, and they have been giving here plenty to eat and drink. Erin already looks like her old self again. It sounds like they are going to discharge her tomorrow sometime. Erin realizes that she will need to eat and drink more for her and the baby, but she feels full all the time. I am going to talk to the doctors tomorrow before they send her on her way. I want to know why before the head injury, she ate good, and now she can't eat much because she feels full. I want to know if her stomach really is full, becuase it wasn't use to eating much, or if her brain is telling her she is full. I just don't want this to happen again. Erin can't wait to get home, but I am glad to see her here getting the fluids she needs to rebuild her body strength. They also took the staples out of Erins head. I can't believe how quickly it is healing. in some places you can barely see the cut. Mitchell is also doing really good. He is so happy to see mom feeling better. Mitchell has been keeping everyone at day care informed of how mom is doing. I had to bring him up tonight at 8:00pm, because he just had to see mommy.

Hope I can keep bringing good news to all of you.

Have a good night, and love you all!!!
Tim B

Monday, March 22, 2004 3:49 PM CST

As most of you know, Erin had a doctor appt. today to review how she is coming along. As she was getting ready for the appt., Erin came into the kitchen, as I sat in the living room. Erin stood by the kitchen sink, and said that she wasn't feeling good. I asked her what do you mean, not feeling good? And before I could do anything, Erin blacked out and fell to the floor. Luckily, Erin didn't hit her head on the way down, and she caught herself on the floor before her head hit. I rushed over and picked her up, and held her up. I asked her what was wrong, and she said she was dizzy and didn't feel right. Then she started to black out again. I held her up until she could stand on her own. I called the ambulance and they rushed her to the ER. The doctors figure she was dehyrated. They looked at her heart and did another CAT scan just to be sure it wasn't something else. Everything seemed to look ok, but the CAT scan did have a blood spot on it, but very small. The doctor said the spot looked like nothing to be worried about. They started Erin on an IV and said she will need to stay a couple of days so they can watch over her. I am not sure if the brain is telling Erin she is full or what, but since the brain injury, Erin has not been able to eat very much. Please pray for Erins' recovery. But also pray for Mitchell. He cried as I told him we needed to call the ambulance. I had to yell at him to get me the phone as I held Erin up. It hurt me so bad for doing it, but it was the only way to get him to do it. Mitchell asked me the other night if mommy will ever be able to watch him again without someone here with them. I told him that someday mommy will be feeling better and that yes she can watch you again, alone. He then looked away and then looked at me again and said "Daddy, does the ambulance know where we live". I think he is really scared to be alone with her. Please pray that he understands that mommy will be ok someday soon, and she will be able to be with him. This is why I am so thankful for all the support of our friends and family. We have had someone sit with Erin every morning and evening as I took Mitchell to and from daycare, and as I ran errands. Thank You Everyone for your help and prayers!!!! I need to go get Mitchell now and tak him to see his mommy.

Thanks Again,
and GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!!!

Tim Brunke

Monday, March 22, 2004 1:23 PM CST

Hi
This is Nancy James again. Tim will update later today. He's at the hospital with Erin. She was taken by ambulance again this A.M. She "blacked-out" twice while getting ready for her Dr. appt. I'm just updating so everyone can be praying while we wait for another update. PLEASE PRAY.
Nancy

Friday, March 19, 2004 6:42 PM CST

Hello All!!!

Today we had Erins check up with Dr. Ebersold and the therapists. It has been 9 days since the surgery. As we drove to the hospital Erin felt very tired from getting ready, and she ended up getting car sick. Dr. Ebersold said that Erin looks to be improving and that the incision on her head looks really good. He wanted to remove the staples, but he wants us to see him again on Monday, so he said he would do it then instead. As far as everything else, he said that Erin looks very well for what she had gone through. He said that Erin should continue to get plenty of rest, but also to do things that she feels comfortable doing. We then meet another Doctor that works with Dr. Ebersold. I asked this doctor if he thinks that this could happen again to Erin. He said that all the other vessels in the brain look strong and there should be no more problems of this kind. I then asked if Erin would have to do C-section with the baby, because of all the stress and pressure she will go through. The doctor said that they discussed this amoungst each other and that they feel she would be fine to do a natural child birth if she wants. WOW!!!! We then meet with the theapists, but they felt Erin was to tired to do any testing, so they are going to wait until Monday after she meets with Dr. Ebersold.

Have a good weekend everyone!!!

Thursday, March 18, 2004 11:39 AM CST

Good Afternoon All!!!!

I just got my computer set up at home with internet, so I can finally update the journal. It is so AWESOME, to see all the emails and hits for Erin and our family. It really means a lot to all of us. I want to let all of you know that Erin is doing very well. The swelling on her head seems to be going down, and she is getting around better each day. She is a remarkble woman, like most of you know. I can't tell you enough how good it feels to have her home with us. Most of you don't know this, but I lost my mom about 5 years ago from a brain aneurysm. When the doctors told me that this is what Erin had, I thought our life together was over. It was so hard to hear those words that they had to get her into surgery right away, if she would have any chance for survival at all.
Erin has been doing little things around the house, I think she just doesn't think I can do it right. Erin says she is feeling good, but still suffers from headaches once in a while and is very tired many times throughout the day, but this is all to be expected. I just can't believe that 8 days ago, we were sitting in the waiting room, wondering if we were going to see Erin again. Erin can't wait to get back to her regular self so she can get back to work and get on with things, I think she just wants her strength back so she can put me in my place and keep me in line. In reality though, what God has shown Erin and I, is that we took so many things for granted with each other and life in general, and we got a second chance to do things right. Our love for one another is stronger now then it ever has been before. And Mitchell, what can I say, he is such a little trooper. Ever since we came home from the hospital, he is helping me to keep mom happy and letting her rest.
I want to thank everyone that has been praying and thinking of us. But I really want to thank all of those that are helping/supporting me with taking care of Erin. Ever since we brought Erin home, we have had friends and family over in the mornings and the evenings to sit with Erin, so that I may take Mitchell to and from school, run errands, and go to work and not have to worry about who am I going to get to watch Erin as I do these things. We have also been supplied with meals so that I don't have to worry about them. Without all of this support, I can't imagine what we would be doing. And the support we have got from both of our work places is unbelievable. My boss, Dale and Nancy Amundson (GREAT AMERICAN HOMES), have given me the opportunity to be able to work at home 2-3 days a week or whatever I need. This is such a big help!!! And I just got a call yesterday from Erins boss, Mark Baker (CHIPPEWA HERALD), him and the staff want to do a benifit for Erin to help out. They want to do a raffle of some kind, to raise money for Erin. I also want to thank Jen Gerber. Jen is a close friend of our family, and she has been the one to coordinate the schedule for the people that are sitting with Erin and making the meals. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!!!!
Tomorrow I have to take Erin in to see her doctor that performed the surgery, and the theropists. They want to see if Erin is improving. I know that they are going to be amazed by how well she is coming along. As soon as we get home, I will update the journal so that I can let all of you know what the doctors said.

Thanks Again!!!

Love and Prayers,
Brunke Family

Tuesday, March 16, 2004 2:33 PM CST

Hi! I'm Nancy James, I work with Tim, he was in this afternoon and asked me to update his journal. He was in a hurry to get back to Erin and had some errands to run yet.
Erin is doing well, (already picking up after Tim.)
Tim will be getting his computer connected at home so he will be able to work from there and come into the office a couple days a week. Friends are staying with Erin while Tim needs to be away. (If you want to volunteer please contact Tim. Someone needs to be there when he runs Mitchell to daycare and picks him up each day.)
Erin will be going back to the doctor on Friday for a re-evaluation, and to check on her progress. It's a long road to recovery yet, but she's surpassed all expectations thus far. Keep praying!

We are blessed
Nancy James

Saturday, March 13, 2004 8:11 PM CST

Well we are coming to the end of what we call another wonderful day. As bad as the weather looked outside all day, we couldn't be happier here inside. We just brought Erin in a wheelchair a little bit ago, to see this website on the computer. Mitchell, of course, had to push mommy. We showed her all the responses from everyone, and read her the journal that we have been writing. She soon got tired on us, so we took her back to her room so she could get her rest. I will talk to you all tomorrow, and let you know what we hear from the doctors as to when she will be going home. Have a good night everyone!!!

Our Love goes out to all of you....
Tim

Saturday, March 13, 2004 10:55 AM CST

GOOD Morning Everyone & Blessings To You !!
My name is Jim and for those that don't know I am Erins' dad. Tim, Mitchell and myself have just returned to the hospital to see just more of what I can call only our Great Miracle at work. My wife, Judy stayed with Erin last evening and when the Doctor visited this morning he gave them the news that Erin could possibly go HOME Sunday (yah this Sunday, tommorrow !!).

When Judy and I received Tim's phone call this past Wednesday morning, I can't explain the feeling that first comes over you as a loving parent. The ride from Colby to Eau Claire was very quiet only because deep, loving thoughts don't make alot of noise. When we entered the hospital emergency room, the first to be seen was little Mitchell (already I felt God's loving arm around us). Tim seen us and came immediately over to us and spoke some words that I don't think I will ever forget (they don't know if she will live). At this point I want you to know that Faith went into overdrive for me and someone whispered (Erin lives no matter what, just give it to me).

Many hours have now past, and you have followed our family journal. So as Paul Harvey would say "You now know the rest of the story".

The world can never have enough prayer!! Grandma Zenner always said so.


Thank you for your prayers and God Bless you all,

Jim, Judy, Tim, Adam, Josh, Mitchell, and of course ERIN and the miracle to come in Sept. (baby brunke)


P.S.
WE WANT TO THANK THE MAKERS OF THIS WEBSITE!!! WHAT AN AWESOME WAY FOR ALL OF US TO TALK TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU..............

Friday, March 12, 2004 5:43 PM CST

Erins mom (JUDY), dad (JIM), my dad (WALTER), and of course MITCHELL, are all here to see Erin. It was so awesome to see the look into their eyes when they walked into the door and saw Erin sitting up in a wheelchair, and could talk to them. You could see the relief that they had,it waqs the same relief I had earlier this morning.
Erin just woke from her 2 hour nap, a little bit ago, and is eating her supper. They want her to get plenty of rest still. I asked her if she wanted me to tell you all something, and she wanted me to tell all of you "HI".

BLESSINGS TO ALL!
Tim

Friday, March 12, 2004 1:07 PM CST

The baby is doing fine and is healthy and beautiful just like IT's mother. The reason I say IT, is because we are still unsure, because the baby didn't cooperate well and Erin is only about 3-1/2 months along. BUT the nurse said she thought she saw something. So if that is the case, Mitchell will have a baby BROTHER to play with soon. Like I said, we are still unsure of the sex until next month, but if it is a boy, his name will be Landon Carter Brunke.
I want to tell you about my other surprise I had. Earlier I walked into Erins' room, and her nurses were with her. They told me they had a surprise for me. With that, Erin sat up in bed and stood up to walk over to a chair in her room to sit in. What a powerful sight. She is doing remarkable, and is above everyones expectations. She is going to be her same old self in no time at all.
Erin also had the speech therapists in to test her, and they said she did very well on the test, and it doesn't look like she has any major speech problems. Erin does struggle for words at times, but that is understandable with a head injury. She is doing so remarkable. This means no speech therapy for her....... And with her walking already, I am sure there won't be any therapy needed for that as well.
We are going to move Erin out of the ICU department sometime today. She wants to get up and walk so bad, just to move around. The nurses said they are going to let her try to walk to her new room if she wants. I just believe we are going to be home together real soon. I want to express my THANK YOU to all of you!!! Without your constant prayers and support, I know Erin wouldn't be where she is today. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

God Bless All Of You!!!

Tim

P.S.
Maybe sometime soon, Erin will be the one writing these notes to all of you, and thanking you all personally

Friday, March 12, 2004 12:02 AM CST

Good afternoon all!!!! I ant to keep this update short and sweet, so I can get back and see Erin again. She is coming along wonderfully. This morning her doctor (Dr. Ebersold) talked to Adam and I and told us how great she is doing. He seems to be amazed by her quick recovery. He said "During surgery, I almost lost her a couple of times", and now she is doing great.
We talked to Erin some more during the early afternoon, and I told her how Lisa Esser brought Adam and I some food. Erin commented that, "good becuase I am sure I will be here for at least a couple of days yet". Amazing!!! Not more then a day and a half from surgery and she is ready to get out of here. I have to keep reminding her that she just needs to relax and go slowly. She is such a strong willed individual. The doctor took the drainage tube from her head and is planning to remove the other items attached to her later today. OPPS, GOT TO GO, THE ULTRASOUND IS HERE AND I WANT TO GO SEE MY BABY!!!! I WILL WRITE MORE SOON.


LOVE ALL OF YOU!!!
Tim

Friday, March 12, 2004 8:22 AM CST

Good morning everyone! This is Erin's brother Adam. I am just writing to you to give you another update on Erin's condition. Her doctor was in this morning and told us that they took out her drain tube and many other I.V's and stuff (I am not a doctor). The Doctor informed us that he is very happy with her progress, but wants to remind us all that there are still no guarantees. The Doctor also informed us that they will be transferring her to the floor (in other words, right down the hall from the ICU, but this is what we want to hear). She will also begin some speech and physical (going for a walk) therapy today. This will hopefully tell us a little more about where she is at in the healing process. They will also be giving her a ultra sound today to see how the baby is doing. They were unable to do so yesterday, because of the emergency CAT scan. So hopefully we will get an update on Baby Brunke.
Erin seems to have picked up right from where Tim and I left her off last night. Erin's nurse, PJ, came in and talked to us and then informed us that she turned the T.V. on. When we went into her room, sure enough, she had it on and it looked to be on Nickelodeon. If you ever go over to the Brunke house this is the channel they will usually have on (Mitchell watches the toons a lot). Tim asked her what channel she had on and she responded by telling us "I think 70 or something."
Any Who, that is what is going on at this time. We want to encourage you all to read the past journals and to keep signing in. She has over 800 some hits in less than 2 days. We also want to let all of you know that as far as visiting Erin in her room is still up in the air. The staff here still encourages only immediate family (But hopefully that will change quickly). They still do not want Erin to be stimulated to the point of overload. We must remember that she still takes some time to process information and that to much talking, sounds, and other things could overwhelm her. We will keep in touch as soon as we know more. Have a wonderful day.

Praise God

Thursday, March 11, 2004 9:44 PM CST

To give you a quick update, earlier today Tim emailed all of you and told you Erin was going in for an emergency CAT scan. This scan was just a percaution because of her recent slurring of speech. Following her last CAT scan at 5pm we began to see an improvement. Erin and Mitchell for the first time got to see each other before and after her CAT scan. This seemed to help in Erin's revcovery. She smiled, waved, and even said Mitchell's name to him. Mitchell then took a card he made for mommy into her. Erin immediately reached out for the card and continued on to read it to us all without her glasses(Erin is blind without her glasses).
It's 9:52pm right now and Tim and I (Adam) just got done talking to Erin for the last half hour. Erin is asking and answering all questions. She is using sentences and carrying coversations with us. It is truling a blessing! One question Tim asked her is "do you remember what happened?" Erin responded, "yes", and went on to say that she got up to go for a walk. She began her walk and immediately started to experience a bad headache. She then came back inside because she knew something wasn't right. She then stated that she continued to get ready for work..............The rest is unknown. Tim and I continued to talk to her and ask questions. One of Erin's questions was "when am I getting out of here? and will you bring me a outfit to go home in?" Tim responded by telling her that he would bring the white dress that he bought her. (he bought this outfit for her as a gift 6-7 years ago). Erin responded by telling him that it would not fit! This is great because Tim and Erin have kid around about this dress in the past. Erin's response in the past is that no one wears dresses like this anymore and IT WON'T FIT ME ANYMORE!
It is truly amazing how far she has come just in the last few hours. Tim and I are lost for words. No matter than an hour ago Tim checked this web page to see how many hits there were. We had 400 some odd hits. We then carried on a conversation with the Ward and LeDuc family while Erin was asleep. Ending our conversation we said a prayer with Rich and Kathy Ward. Following the prayer, Rich and Kathy left, and that is when Tim and I returned to Erin's room and experienced the Lord's power. After talking to Erin, Tim and I returned to the computer to write this. When we logged on we were amazed to see 700 hits. This was 300 more hits in a matter of less than an hour. All your prayers and responses have helped bring Erin back to us. Erin knows and understands what is going on with this website and wants to hear from ALL OF YOU!!! She has seen and tried to read your prayers and responses, but Tim and I told her to just rest. Please remember to sign the guest book so that Erin will be able to know who has visited the site and who has been thinking of her.
We are so happy to see all the responses she has received and very eager to see the one's to follow. PLEASE, WHEN YOU LOG IN, SIGN THE GUEST BOOK, EVEN IF IT IS JUST TO SAY HI!!! Don't be afraid to sign in more than once. We want this to be something that Erin can look back on years from now. (And it gives Tim and I something to read)

Keep on Praying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, March 11, 2004 3:26 PM CST

Erin seems to be a little more sleepier. Earlier she got sick to her stomach and vomited when they took her to the CAT scan. Right now she is running a fever and seems to be breathing a little more shallower. The nurse told us she is still doing ok. Erins' mom,dad, and brother, have been very helpful with being at Erins' side and comforting her. I on the other hand have had a very hard time being in the room with her. I can't stand walking into her room and seeing her suffering and not being able to help. I have pretty much stayed out of the room these last few hours because it is to hard for me to watch her laying there, and looking up at me when she is in pain. Like I told you all before, this is going to be a long road to travel, but I sometimes feel my gas tank isn't full enough to make the trip. Hopefully the rest of the day will continue to be postive, and we will hear from Erins' doctor that we can move out of the NICU department.

Keep Praying!!!

Thursday, March 11, 2004 12:43 AM CST

GREAT NEWS!!!! We just got word from Erins' nurse, and the CAT scan looked good. There seemed to be no change to the brain, and the amount of pooled blood in the brain was low. I want every one reading this to please raise your hands and "PRAISE GOD" with me and thank him for this MIRICALE. This has been a mircale and such a blessing to our whole family. I actually went into the room and asked Erin if she was feeling ok and she told me yes. I asked her if she knows what happened and why she is here and again she said yes. She does want to know when she is getting out of here..... I want all of you to understand that she is talking to us and things look good, but she is far from being herself. She answers small questions, but she is still very sleepy and only responds here and there, but we will take whatever we can get. I know with her will power, and the grace of GOD, she will soon be putting me in my place.

Blessings,
Tim

Thursday, March 11, 2004 8:20 AM CST

Just to let you all know that they just took Erin for a CAT scan. They are hoping and so are we that everything will look good. They said that if there looks to be no problems, that Erin may be able to come out of the NICU department, and go into regular hospital room. Please keep Erin in your prayers, and Please sign the guest book. I want to be able to show her all the wonderful people that are thinking about her and praying for her. As soon as we have the news from the CAT scan results, I will make sure to let all of you know.

BLESSINGS,

TIM AND FAMILY

Thursday, March 11, 2004 4:03 AM CST

Just an update for everyone. Erin has been coming along wonderfully. She has been moving both of her arms and legs, and responding verbally. The baby heartbeat has been monitored and evrything sounds good. Later today the doctors are going to do an ultrasound to check on the baby. We are so thankful for everyones prayers. You can see what the power of everyones prayers are doing for Erin and our family. Please keep praying for the next 36 hours to keep things going in a positive direction, like they have been. I will update more as the day goes on.

IN THE LORDS NAME I PRAY,
TIM

Wednesday, March 10, 2004 9:42 PM CST

Today Erin was admitted to the hospital with an aneurysm in her brain. She started the morning her usual self, but at 6:45am Erin was in the bathroom getting ready for work, and I was talking to her, but her respones did not make any sense. I then went into the bathroom and found Erin standing and talking to me, but she was mumbling. She then laid on our bed, and soon became unresponsive to me. I called 911, and she was rushed to the hospital. Test results showed that a vessel in her brain broke, and surgery was her only hope. The other concern the doctors had was for our unborn child that is now in the 3 month stage. The doctors main concern was for MOM first, but they wanted to make sure they can do what they can for the baby. At 10:30am she was preped for surgery, and at about 1:30pm we were notifed that the surgery was going well, but it would be a couple of hours before she would be out. At about 3:30pm, the doctor (Dr. Ebersol) came in and told us that Erin made it through surgery ok, but she will have a fight ahead of her. Because they had to reroute the vessels in the brain, if any more broke from the pressure, it would make Erins chances for survival more slim. At 4:30pm she was admitted to an NICU room. The doctors talked to Erin, and she responed by not only moving her hands, but by talking to them, WHAT A GOD BLESSING AND POWER OF PRAYER!!!!. It is now about 10:00pm and Erin is still responding and doing even better. The doctors and nurses said that the next 24-48 hours will be the most crucial. Please keep Erin and the unborn baby in your prayers, and that God will keep Erins' vessels in her brain strong and she will overcome this. Also pray for her 4-1/2 year old son Mitchell that he will get to see MOMMY tomorrow and he will understand that Mommy will be ok soon.

Thank You and GOD BLESS,
Husband and loving father Tim Brunke

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