OUR FAMILY'S JOURNEY
On January 18, 2014, we took Elizabeth to Chicago O'Hare to begin her semester abroad in the Global Economics program in Copenhagen, Denmark. Little did we know as we hugged her goodbye and gave her last minute instructions to enjoy the next four months would we be forced to change our plans and expectations in just 24 hours. On Sunday, January 19, Elizabeth had a 2 minute seizure shortly after arriving at her housing complex. Instead of taking her bags to her room, she was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. After a CT scan indicated something abnormal, she was transferred to a larger hospital with a neurology center. Within 24 hours, our family was informed that the MRI revealed a 6 cm tumor on her left temporal lobe. Brian and I were able to book flights, pack, and make arrangements for Lucas and our pets in time to make a 5:30 p.m. flight out of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Within 72 hours, we had flown to Denmark, met with the neurologist as well as the neurological surgeon, spent a few hours with the staff at the Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS), experienced an afternoon in the historic part of the city, and returned to Indiana with our daughter.
Our family of four is blessed with great family and friends who have helped us realize what an amazingly deep foundation of support we have as we face this challenge. From the start of this adventure, our neighbors; our colleagues; our families; our church; our circles of friends; our community far and wide; and Elizabeth's high school classmates, college peers, and sorority sisters have surrounded us with prayer and positive energy. While we are trying to keep track of the kind gestures, there are simply too many to record. We also know that while this directly impacts our immediate family, it really impacts so many more of you in ways we don't realize. Initially, we thought a private Facebook group was a good way to disseminate information, but because some of our family and friends do not have Facebook, we have started this blog to keep you updated. Ironically, before Elizabeth left for Copenhagen, I had given her the weekly "assignment" of keeping a blog of her study abroad adventures. Instead, we will turn this blog into an account of her "unexpected journey."
On January 18, 2014, we took Elizabeth to Chicago O'Hare to begin her semester abroad in the Global Economics program in Copenhagen, Denmark. Little did we know as we hugged her goodbye and gave her last minute instructions to enjoy the next four months would we be forced to change our plans and expectations in just 24 hours. On Sunday, January 19, Elizabeth had a 2 minute seizure shortly after arriving at her housing complex. Instead of taking her bags to her room, she was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. After a CT scan indicated something abnormal, she was transferred to a larger hospital with a neurology center. Within 24 hours, our family was informed that the MRI revealed a 6 cm tumor on her left temporal lobe. Brian and I were able to book flights, pack, and make arrangements for Lucas and our pets in time to make a 5:30 p.m. flight out of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Within 72 hours, we had flown to Denmark, met with the neurologist as well as the neurological surgeon, spent a few hours with the staff at the Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS), experienced an afternoon in the historic part of the city, and returned to Indiana with our daughter.
Our family of four is blessed with great family and friends who have helped us realize what an amazingly deep foundation of support we have as we face this challenge. From the start of this adventure, our neighbors; our colleagues; our families; our church; our circles of friends; our community far and wide; and Elizabeth's high school classmates, college peers, and sorority sisters have surrounded us with prayer and positive energy. While we are trying to keep track of the kind gestures, there are simply too many to record. We also know that while this directly impacts our immediate family, it really impacts so many more of you in ways we don't realize. Initially, we thought a private Facebook group was a good way to disseminate information, but because some of our family and friends do not have Facebook, we have started this blog to keep you updated. Ironically, before Elizabeth left for Copenhagen, I had given her the weekly "assignment" of keeping a blog of her study abroad adventures. Instead, we will turn this blog into an account of her "unexpected journey."