Meet Mary Kaye and Matt Podschweit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Kaye Podschweit and Matt Podschweit.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Mary and Matt. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
November 20, 2013, I. Mary Kaye, slipped on goose poop while walking near a water feature. It was a high, painful sprain. A trip to the local ER, the doctor explained that it would have been better if I were to break it. Needless to say, I was sent home with pain pills and crutches. A scheduled appointment with an orthopedic doctor on November 23 and instructions not to put any weight on the ankle and was sent home.

I developed a blood clot on November 21 that broke loose and caused a pulmonary embolism. I was rushed to the hospital where I died three times. The longest was for 11 minutes which happened to be in ICU. My family was embracing the worst. The doctor explained that more than likely I was brain dead. My eyes were blown out and I was unresponsive. They would continue with life support until everyone was able to fly in and say their final good-bye.

My husband, Matt, stayed by my side, diligently holding my swollen hand and telling my stories, singing to me.

In the early morning hours of November 22, I fluttered my eyes. A nurse explained its involuntary muscle movement. But when she began talking to me and moving across the room I followed her with my eyes.

During this time of celebration, I was tied down and a breathing tube was in sustaining me. Matt still holding my hand I began signing I was thirsty. The entire experience is still too difficult to explain. But one thing I hope I never forget is the time in ICU, the last time I died. The eleven minutes of doctors and nurses fighting to save my life, they never gave up, they did what they have been trained to do, fight for life.

What I am going to share next is my story. You can choose to believe it or not. It’s not my job to convince anyone that it’s true, that God is real, all I can do is share. What I can describe, I vividly remember, watching the hecticness in the room. Watching my shell of a swollen body, flop like a fish out of the water as a doctor was straddled over me pushing and everyone was busy trying desperately, moving frantically.

I felt at peace when all of a sudden bright light appears in the corner of the room. The light was bright but did not burn, it was a pleasant sensation. The next thing I know his arms open up and he begins holding me. I didn’t see the color of his skin or even his face. As he is now holding me, he tells me I must go back now, my job is not done. Mind you, I did the math for a living. Nothing life saving or changing…just math.

At this time, I did not think of Matt, my husband or two brilliant and beautiful daughters, those I love and who love me. I knew I wanted to stay with who I believe is Jesus. I say this hesitantly because he never came out and said, ”Hi, I’m Jesus.”

I said, ”I don’t want to go back, I want to be with you!” Then my dad, who died December 17, 1992, popped up and yelled at me to ”Get the hell back their now!” Embarrassed I asked, ”Can you use that word here? Wait where am I?” I then felt Jesus chuckle as he was holding me. He kissed me on my forehead and whispered, ”It’s time” Then Phil, my father in law, pops up and says, ”Be sure to tell Judy I love her.” Phil passed away September 11, 2013.

My next memory is on December 3, 2013, waking up to my husband singing our song, ”I’ll dream of you again.” to me watching tears roll down his face. Facing the unknown together. Brain damage was a reality. we just didn’t know how significant it would be…but hope ruled that day. Shortly after removing the breathing tube and how scared I was it was his soothing voice that kept me grounded.

As he was singing, our oldest daughter Aubrey, captured this moment on her phone.

Matt was unable to finish our song, overcome with emotion. Looking into his eyes…Oh, love. I finished our song.

The next three weeks I spent in inpatient rehab relearning how to do everything. I was an infant in an adult body. The brain to body connection, speech, swallowing, all of it was lost.

It’s been five years of creating a new me.

What has been a difficult challenge is the false reality of my memories.

I am incredibly thankful for family and friends who share stories with me and send me pictures of our lives together. In the meantime, Matt and I focus on the present. Making a list of things to accomplish for the day is helpful. This process keeps me focused on the day. My brain is permanently damaged, but it’s okay. I live in the first gear. I still get to be the wife to Matt and mother to our daughters.

Two years later, our insurance ran out for rehab so my doctor recommended OrangeTheory fitness. That has been an incredible journey. From being able to only do 15 minutes in the hour class to now going four times a week. Since joining OrangeTheory, I am able to do the impossible. The biggest celebration for our family was the independence. People are wonderfully patient. Secondly, I was able to get my driver’s license back. I get to bring my trusty sidekick, Big Head Ted, (my service dog) with me. It has made a huge difference.

I began on the treadmill holding on the bar, white-knuckled at 3 mph at 1% incline. Today I jog at 7+ mph.

Every day is a new day, a new challenge. I spend my time doing art and writing. Currently, have a best seller for a few weeks on Amazon called ‘’Broken Hallelujah 40 Days in the Wilderness’’ and a newly released book titled, ‘’Little Bird and the King.’’ We are getting ready to publish the sequel Broken Hallelujah Love Note. I hope to have it released on November 21, 2019.

What was considered the worst time in our family’s life has turned out to be a beautiful journey. Not every day is easy, most days I am faced with an obstacle, but today, I am telling you a bit of our story. Of our love story

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Relearning is always difficult. Remembering how too, people, and my speech is still heavily affected. I had to mourn what once was, what could have been and find a way to love myself, this new life.

Please tell us about your work.
I have an anoxic brain injury. I will always have a brain injury. Most people with anoxic brain injuries don’t survive. We share our story to provide hope to those who have a loved one on life support or in rehab. When things seem the darkest never stop touching, talking, singing to the one you love. Life will never be the same. But what we encourage families to understand is they can help create a new normal.

Our goal by sharing was if it could provide one person HOPE than it’s worth being shared. We have families from around the globe reach out.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My memory has been greatly affected. This is a very sad subject for me. I don’t remember what I was like if I was a good person or a brat. But I can tell you, I am thankful to make new memories.

Contact Info:

• Email: maryk@brokenhallelujahmusic.com
• Instagram: broken.hallelujah.book
• Facebook: Broken Hallelujah 40 Days in the Wilderness

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