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BEGINNING
At the young age of 18 and 19, my parents learned that they were pregnant. -
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Beginning
From the date my parents learned they were pregnant, they made many visits to doctors to be sure that I was developing properly.
Especially concerned because my mother was so young.
On February 21, 1975, my parents were married, and moved in together. Ready to start their lives together, and expecting a baby. During that time my parents prepared for my arrival on August 15th, with limited income they managed to make a comfortable home and nursery. -
Beginning
Although due on August 15th, two weeks late, I was born on a hot 90 degree stormy day at St. Marys hospital in Livonia, MI -
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First two years
Biosocial: I was healthy, no health problems or illnesses
Cognitive: My mother and Grandmothers were very involved in reading to me, and playing music. As they felt this was important
in my development.
I was walking by age 1, and knew my colors by age 2.
Psychosocial: My mother was able to stay home with me, and my grandmothers came over frequently. I had a very strong attachment to them. -
My brother was born
Psychosocial: Loved my brother, would always try to carry him around. Or put him in my doll stroller
According to my Parents I was very jealous, and began reverting back to, wanting bottles, pacifiers, and wetting my pants, although I was potty trained. -
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Early Childhood
Cognitive: I started Kindergarden at 4years old.
Biosocial: Had gotten sick fiirst few weeks of school, and it was discovered that I was allergic to penicillin.
Psychosocial: Many of my friends that I made in my Kindergarden class, also lived on my street. Our mothers would get together often at eachothers houses or at a local park, to allow myhself and the other children to play together. -
My sister was born
Cognitive: I loved to read books to my sister and brother.
Again, reading and music was very important to my parents. -
New House
Moved to a new home, just a couple miles away. -
Started a new school
Entered 6th grade at Coolidge elementary in Livonia, MI -
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Adolescence
Went onto Riley Middle School
Biosocial: Broke my hand while roller scating at Riverside arena ( 7th grade)
Cognitive: Made Honor roll in both 7thand 8th grade
Psychosocial: Was involved in sports, especially Baseball, and several other after school activities. -
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Teenage Years
Started High School at Livonia, Stevenson High
Cognitive: Had 3.5 GPA all throughout High School, but never made Honor roll.
Psychosocial: Had the same group of friends from Elementary school all through High School.
Biosocial: Caught MONO my Junior year, and was very sick. Had to undergo 2 Spinal Taps, and was hospitalized for days before I was diagnosed. -
high School Graduation
Cognitive:Graduated High School
Psychosocial: Attended several graduation parties in weeks to come. -
Started College
First semester at Madonna University -
Transfered colleges
Transfered to Schoolcraft Community College. -
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Years to come
Continued through college -
My son was born
Cognitive: Had alot to learn about caring for a new baby
Psychosocial: Had to place trust in friends and family to help care for my son while at I was at work. -
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The next few years...
Psychosocial- Have enjoyed watching my son grow and learn.
Biosocial- My son, and myself have been blessed with good health. -
My brother diagnosed with Chirrosis of the liver.
Biosocial: My borther had a drinking problem, that myself and my family was somewhat aware of, we just weren't aware of the severity of it.
Psychosocial: Spent alot of time trying to communicate with my brother about the dangers of his drinking, and began attending AA meetings with my brother to support his recovery. -
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My brothers failing health
Biosocial: Despite mine and my familys efforts with trying to help my brother, he continued to drink. His health was failing and I spent many, many days at the hospital with him.
Psychosocial: My parents became almost consumed by my brothers drinking problem, and failing health. So much so that they were unable to focus any time or effort on anything else in their lives! -
My father had a massive CVA
Biosocial: I received a paniced phone call from my mother, that she had returned home from work to find my father in the garage stating that he could not see, his face was cut and blood was all throughout the house.
Psychosocial: Despite the sudden brain bleed my dad was experiencing, he was crying and begging my mother that they get to the hospital to check on my brother.
My father soon lost consciousness and was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. -
From one hospital to another
Biosocial: Left the ICU where my dad was being cared for after brain surgery to treat the severe CVA. And headed to the hospital my brother was being treated in. When I got to the room he was admitted to, I discovered that my brother had checked himself out. Hospital staff stated that he walked out and was in danger, he was just told by doctors that he was terminal. -
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Dad in recovery, brother missing
Biosocial: My dad was moved from ICU and recovering well, although it was said he would probably never walk or talk again, he beat those odds and was talking to us.
Cognitive: We brought my dad pictures in an attempt to help him remember. he was transfered to a rehab center to begin therapy.
Psychosocial: Despite my dad not remembering any of us, he cried and asked for my brother constantly.
elf, my sister, my mom, or his grandchildren were.
C -
Found my brother
After months of my brother missing, we finally found him in an area hospital. He was in ICU and was no longer conscious, he had been put on life support just hours before we had found him. -
My brother died
Biosocial; My brother was taken off of life support on Nov. 15th, and died in the evening of November 17th.
Psychosocial: A hospice nurse told myself and my family that as long as I was there, my brother would not let go. It seemed to her that everytime I was there, his blood pressure and heart rate increased. Perhaps because him and I were so close and attached to eachother.I was not there for his last breath, I went to sit with my dad instead. -
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Very hard time...
Psychosocial: Was told by Dr.s and therapists in the rehab center that my dad was living, not to under any circumstance to tell my dad that his son had died. Everyday, my dad asked for him, and cried begging us to bring his son to him.
Biosocial: My dads recovery was slow, and he was not showing much improvement. -
Telling my dad of my brothers death, was the hardest thing I ever had to do
Biosocial: Like a light switch flicked on my dad suddenly remebered me, and all of our family. He was up walking around which he hadn't done in months.
Cognitive: He was able to reconize letters and numbers
Pyschosocial: Like all the weeks prior, he was asking for my brother. Because my dad was going to spend christmas day with us at home, my mom and I decided to tell him about my brothers passing.
This was probably one of the hardest things I ever had to do. -
My dad was diagnosed with Laryngeal cancer
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Long year
Biosocial: Very hard year of chemo, radiation, and surgerys treating my dads cancer.
Psychosocial: I had a very strong attachment to my dad, and spent everyday with him taking him for treatments, staying over nights at the hospital, and reading to him.
He was put into hospice care on November 1st. -
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The next couple years
Psychosocial: The past couple years my sister, and my mom had really come to rely on eachother for support. My mom had alot of recovering to do, and needed the support of my sister and I more than ever. -
My dad died
On this day, my dad died peacefully while under care in the hospice section of the hospital.
I was there when he took his last breath. -
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The rest of my life
Biosocial: I hope to stay realatively healthy for the rest of the years to come. I hope for a good quality of life.
Cognitive:I will continue to keep my body strong and healthy throught diet and exercise. Keeping moving is key to mobility while aging. I plan to continue exercising my brain through reading, and brain strengthening exercises.
Psychcosocial: I plan to enjoy family and friends. Building friendships and bonds.
Ultimatley dying of old age, in my home, around the age of 89 or so.
