Not your normal senior year
CLASS OF 2009
Becca Lange has every reason to be proud of herself.
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But as she stood on Adamson Field, graduating second in Brainerd High School's Class of 2009 Thursday night, Becca's thoughts were filled with pride not for herself, but for her mother sitting in the audience.
"You grow up and you take for granted that your mom and dad will always be there for you," Becca said Wednesday. "It's just so special my mom will be here for this monumental event in my life."
Mary Lange, a dietitian at Brainerd Medical Center, collapsed in a bathroom at BMC the morning of Feb. 3. Clinic staff noticed that the door of the single-stall bathroom had been locked for quite a while and called a janitor to unlock the door. After she had been in the bathroom for 2-1/2 hours, Mary was found unresponsive and rushed to St. Joseph's Medical Center. She was then airlifted to St. Joseph's HealthEast Hospital in St. Paul.
Mary was found to have two brain aneurysms, one at the head of the basilar artery near her brainstem that had a slight irregularity and was ruptured and a second one on the right side of her brain that is currently stable.
Becca Lange kissed her mother, Mary Lange, Wednesday at their south Brainerd home. Becca was one of three senior speakers at Thursday's Brainerd High School graduation. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey» Purchase reprints of this photo.
Becca had been cheering for friends and fellow ski team members at a sectionals meet in the Twin Cities when her father, Greg, called his daughter to tell her the news. Since she was already in the Twin Cities, she was the first family member to arrive at the St. Paul hospital and a nurse sat her down to explain what had happened to her mom.
"It was a big shock," said Becca. "They didn't know her chances of survival at that point."
Mary Lange remained unresponsive until later the next day. When her mom woke up, Becca and her family were by her bedside. Mary's first action was to reach up and hug her youngest daughter.
"It was the very coolest thing," said Becca with a smile. "It was really exciting. It was a good day."
But the family had rough days ahead. The Lange family, including their daughter, Marie, 24, who is in medical school in Duluth, and son, Tim, 21, who is studying at the University of St. Thomas to become a priest, spent much time gathered around Mary's bedside. Becca had a full courseload at BHS, including four advanced placement classes, and she and her sister spent many hours studying in the hospital while they waited to hear more about their mom's condition.
A week later, Becca felt she needed to get back to school and so she and her dad, a Brainerd attorney, decided to return home. That lasted about two days when Greg called Becca at school and said he felt they should return to the hospital. It was difficult to stay in constant contact with Mary's medical providers by being in Brainerd.
After surgery was done to repair the ruptured aneurysm, Mary spent 35 days in intensive care. Then she was transferred to Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul, an acute rehabilitation facility, on March 12 where she received three weeks of intense therapy. On April 6, she was moved to the Courage Center in Golden Valley for additional therapy and to help her with strategies to cope with her short-term memory loss.
Throughout this time, Becca tried to retain the normalcy of being in school and activities while also spending time in the Cities with her mom. Mary would often cry on the phone, saddened that she was missing out on so many events in her daughter's senior year. Becca always reassured her mother that it was fine, that she understood, and that it was important that her mom heal and get better. But Becca secretly wished her mom was home for her, too.
The Lange family discussed Becca Lange's upcoming graduation ceremony. They included Marie (left), Becca's sister; Mary Lange, Becca's mom; Becca; and her dad, Greg. Not shown is Becca's brother, Tim. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey» Purchase reprints of this photo.
It was really hard, said Becca. You're in your senior year and there was always something I'd really want her to be here for. But I'd rather she got better and would be here for years to come. She missed things but it's a small thing because she's still here.
It bothered me a lot because I couldn't be home for her, said Mary. She said she apologized to Becca during every phone conversation.
Becca had a busy schedule. She not only took a rigorous course load but she's also in Windfall, band and choir. She planned her own prom and graduation parties.
Mary missed out on Becca's ski banquet, her fine arts banquet and senior recognition night but she was able to come home for Becca's spring band and choir concerts and for prom. Last year Becca asked her parents if she could host a dinner on prom night for her friends and they agreed. Even though Mary couldn't help with the prom dinner, Becca's friends and their parents, including Mary's sister Brigid Stoy, stepped in and provided the meal at the Lange home for Becca and 20 of her friends, including Mary. It was a memorable night and Mary said she felt like a queen in her own home.
The Langes are appreciative of all the support they've received from family and friends, who provided meals for Greg and Becca three days a week and also would step in whenever they needed something.
Mary's illness definitely changed Becca's senior year but Becca said she learned a lot during this difficult time. She learned to treasure family and friends and to not take life for granted.
It's taught us a lot about the power of prayer, said Becca. Especially during those first few days when that's all we had to rely on. I'm grateful for the little things, I really am.
Mary was able to move back home on May 8 and is continuing therapy here. She will undergo brain surgery next Thursday to repair the second aneurysm. She continues to have short-term memory loss and she's under constant supervision to make sure she's OK. It takes her a little longer to do the things she used to do but she's learned a lot of coping strategies through the Courage Center.
I'm proud of all the progress she's made, Becca said of her mom. I think I value my time with my mom more. I think before I took for granted being with her. Now it's more special.
Becca plans to attend Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., this fall to pursue a degree in biology with a minor in psychology. She is considering pharmacy as a career.
Mary said it will be hard for her when Becca goes off to college. She also knew she would be in tears while she watched Becca graduate Thursday.
I'm sure it's going to be emotional, said Mary. I'll try my best to hold myself together. I'm proud for Becca because this has not been easy. She's done well anyway.
You're a miracle, mommy, Becca said as she hugged her mom.
To keep up on Mary's progress, visit the family's CaringBridge Web site at www.caringbridge.org/visit/marylange.
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.