Mindy Hargesheimer (00:00:00):
Hey, everybody. Welcome back to the podcast. I have an amazing guest today. I have Bree Morgan Bauer. You might better know her as Bo and Bree on Instagram. And she is a mom who at 27 weeks with her third child, um, delivered the baby, but also ended up losing all four limbs while she was in the process. Her story is moving. We have a very transparent conversation about all the things that she went through. Um, but one of the biggest takeaways that I had from her is her sense of humor that she has about life and this kind of second life that she has, and the fact that she took this opportunity to start a new foundation, breeze Hope, um, where she's raising awareness for people who have dealt with sepsis. So, I hope that you can take this episode, um, dive into it and really appreciate her story, um, and find a new perspective on your own life and how to make the most of it.
(00:00:56):
Well, this is gonna be fun. Yes. I'm excited to have you in here. Thank you so much. I, I told you I was doing some, like listening back to podcasts that you've already done. Mm-hmm . Um, and you're funny, you have a great sense of humor already showing through, so this is gonna be, um, a really great conversation, but you have such an incredible story. So, Brie Morgan Bauer. Mm-hmm . Um, we're gonna talk about Breeze Hope. Yes. Your foundation that you have started. Yes. Um, because that is a huge, huge opportunity to get the word out about that.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:01:23):
Yes.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:01:23):
Um, I know that you have told your story many times. Um, I think you probably have that down to like a formula now. Almost. Yeah. Almost. Yeah. Um, but then I have just so many other, you know, burning questions Of course. That I would wanna know and other people would wanna know, people who've been through this, people who've been following you because you have a huge following Yeah, yeah. That you ended up acting on to create something huge. But, um, why don't you kind of give us the background, like where you're from, who you are, and then obviously we're gonna get into your story.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:01:53):
So, uh, I'll go as far back as like college. I went to K State. Perfect. Um, and then, uh, traveled back to Kansas City, uh, for nursing school. Mm-hmm . At ku, um, which I, I did grow up in Overland Park. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:10):
Kansas,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:02:11):
Um, went through nursing school, and then the boyfriend at the time moved to Denver, so I followed along.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:18):
Oh, so you moved there.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:02:19):
He
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Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:20):
. That's funny. I almost moved to Denver after I went to ku.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:02:22):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:23):
And then I did not end up going there, but that's, yeah. It would've
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:02:25):
Been a great time to go. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:27):
And
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:02:27):
Then by, yeah,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:28):
Because
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:02:29):
Now, I mean, it's just insane, but
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:30):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:02:31):
Uh, so the boyfriend then became husband. Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:34):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:02:35):
And we stayed there for about four or five years. I worked as a nurse, but I then fell into a role as a clinical research nurse Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:44):
With
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:02:44):
A focus on, um, palliative care. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:02:46):
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.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:02:47):
Uh, and I loved it. Uh, we did amazing work. We are published for, uh, a study that we, we did for veterans at the end stage of their disease and helping improve the quality of life. Very cool. Which is like, you know,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:04):
That's a big deal.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:03:04):
Yeah. How do you improve quality of life at what we did, did work. And
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:07):
So when were
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:03:08):
Published, it was great.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:09):
Where did they publish it, by the way?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:03:11):
Jama. Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:12):
It's,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:03:12):
Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:12):
I ask like I'm gonna know, but, well,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:03:13):
I, I, I didn't realize that JAMA was like, it has, its like other JAMA for pulmonary, JAMA for, you know, pediatrics. Got
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:22):
It. And
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:03:22):
Then there's jama jama and like, the fact that it's under jama and that's it. That's like a huge deal, I guess. Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:27):
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Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:03:27):
Amazing.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:28):
But
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:03:28):
It's so cool that, um, so I've been published there.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:31):
Yay. We'll have to go like that up.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:03:32):
And then, um, once I got pregnant with, uh, my second child, we moved back to Kansas City. Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:40):
Right
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:03:40):
During like, kind of COVID, um, area, and I was able to continue my work as a research nurse. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:48):
So
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:03:48):
I worked from home. It was a great, that's
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:50):
Nice being so Kush a mom. Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:03:52):
Yeah. Um, and then when, uh, let's see here.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:03:59):
And you moved back to be near family maybe mm-hmm . I assume. And then
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:04:03):
Of course with help with that. And then,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:04:04):
Yeah.
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Brie Morgan Bauer (00:04:05):
Also my, my dad had been sick with multiple myeloma, um, for like six or seven years. And then of September of, let's see, September, it would be 2023.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:04:21):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:04:22):
He passed away.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:04:23):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:04:24):
Um, but it was in like a way that he had control over and he was one of those people who, you know, needed control over things, but he could control the way he, that he went. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:04:37):
It
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:04:37):
Was amazing.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:04:38):
You were really close to him.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:04:39):
Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:04:40):
Oh,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:04:40):
Yeah. All of us were, you
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:04:41):
Know, and your mom is here who people can't see. So great chatting with her. Oh, God. So sweet.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:04:45):
Lifesaver.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:04:45):
Yeah.
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Brie Morgan Bauer (00:04:46):
But what I haven't told anyone, um, just 'cause we haven't come up on this, but my dad died at home and as soon as he passed, I, I ran outside and, um, the weather wasn't supposed to be, you know, cloudy or, or anything mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:05:03):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:05:04):
But this huge thing, like it had to have been lightning. It just lit up the entire sky and it was amazing.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:05:13):
Like a sign.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:05:14):
Yeah. Like that he, because he was, I mean, uh, he was ready to go. Yeah. Um, and anyways, so at that time, in my mind I'm like, okay, well that's where my focus is gonna be, is trying to get like over that mm-hmm . Like, I'll probably go to therapy or something. Yeah. And then just a few months later, , uh, in February of 2024, um, I was pregnant. I was 27 weeks pregnant with
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:05:41):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:05:42):
Bo. And, um, I felt like I needed to go to primary care just to get checked for the flu. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:05:49):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:05:50):
When you're pregnant, you feel crappy. Yep.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:05:54):
Anyways,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:05:55):
Yeah. Also
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:05:56):
Understatement. Also,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:05:57):
What is the limit of words I can use?
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:06:00):
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You can use as many in any that you want.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:06:02):
Any
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:06:03):
Okay. Please will
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:06:03):
It
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:06:04):
Free form.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:06:04):
Okay. Cool.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:06:05):
Yeah. , um, have at it.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:06:07):
Excellent. Um, and you, yeah. When you're pregnant, you just don't feel good. Uh, but there's something in me, once my shoulders became sore, I was like, yeah, I gotta go checked out. Um, and luckily I did, um, went to my primary care. They had like a few people in front of us and I was like, let's not wait. Let's just go to the ob. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:06:30):
. Went
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:06:31):
To the OB urgent care, and once they hooked me up to those monitors, my mom and I looked at them and you just see this like, beep, beep, beep. And I'm like, that's not my heart rate. Those are contractions. Oh my gosh. So we had
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:06:44):
And you hadn't felt that like at all at home or on the way there? Uhuh just happened at the hospital. Okay. Yeah. What was your feeling like then, where you
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:06:51):
I was like, what is
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:06:52):
Going
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:06:53):
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On? Mm-hmm . But I also had a sense of like comfort. Mm-hmm . Uh, it all happened so fast, and by the time, let's see here, I left around 10 o'clock in the morning to go to primary care and then got to OB around three, and then I was in the OR for emergency C-section, like at four o'clock. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:07:18):
So Rapid.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:07:19):
Yeah. It's like by minute. Yeah. And, um, luckily, you know, he came out both him out very little, about two pounds. And, um, they did think that he had a pretty sign significant brain bleed.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:07:31):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:07:32):
Which tells the doctors that he would have a lot of difficulties when he got older.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:07:38):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:07:39):
So my husband and my mom, they're faced with that information
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:07:42):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:07:43):
And then they also hear, oh, your wife is declining rapidly. Um, looks like she is in septic shock, and we don't know what it is or what's causing it. Um, and
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:07:56):
I assume this is kind of like a minute by minute thing where like,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:07:59):
They just kept coming with bad news. . Yeah. And, uh, um, and they're like, oh yeah, re my husband, you have to dame the baby. And we hadn't even decided on a name. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:08:10):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:08:10):
But he knew I, I loved Bo. And so he went with that. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:08:14):
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And at this point, are you just unconscious? Yes. Or had, because you went into a coma, right? Are you in the coma at that point?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:08:21):
They, I, I guess I woke up after the C-section, and then I was very irritable.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:08:27):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:08:27):
Um, but I met with the nurse who took care of me, and, uh, she remembers that right before they intubated me and put me into like a medical induced coma. Okay. She, um, she's like, Brie, you gotta be strong. She's like, held my hand or held my head and mm-hmm . Was like, you, you gotta be strong. Mm-hmm . And I just nodded my head. Um, don't remember that, but uh, at that point they put me in a medical induced coma, which,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:08:54):
Did you even know what she was referring to?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:08:56):
Nope. I mean, I just like, it's insane when you are in a coma and what you hear and, um, 'cause after 10 days that luckily they found the source of the sepsis mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:09:14):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:09:14):
Um, and sepsis in general, it's just an infection of some kind virus, bacteria that is going through your bloodstream, but there's always a source mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:09:26):
. And
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:09:26):
My source was, I had strep throat and I didn't even know .
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:09:30):
That's so wild. It's
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:09:31):
So wild. And it's so wild that it, it led to skeptic shock, and that's because I was pregnant.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:09:38):
Yeah. You're, you're, when you're pregnant, you're so, you're so much more vulnerable. Yeah. You're like your immune system when you're pregnant. And I did not know that. Right. I've heard you talk about that
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too, where it's like, again, many things that we don't know about Right. When you're about pregnancy or whatever. Right. That all of a sudden now you have this story to tell, to be like FY aware, you didn't even know you had strep throat. Uhuh. It's like, how are you even supposed to look for something like that if you didn't even know that you had it? Right. Again,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:10:00):
You feel fatigue and mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:02):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:10:02):
Crappy. But I feel like it comes down to advocacy as a wo woman who's pregnant and making sure you're telling your ob, which is like always like a five minute appointment.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:14):
Right.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:10:14):
Um, that like all of the symptoms that you're having and if they're feeling worse, um, especially if you have little kiddos mm-hmm . You know, I was traveling too at the time, so there's so many, um, like points of contact where I
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:30):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:10:31):
Got strep throat, but, um, if I wasn't pregnant, I would've, none of this would've happened.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:37):
That's even weirder.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:10:38):
So weird. Uh, but
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:39):
Shows the magnitude of your immunity. Oh
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:10:41):
My gosh. Being
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:42):
Pregnant. Yeah. And then
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:10:43):
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The placenta mm-hmm .
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:44):
Which
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:10:44):
No one talks about.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:46):
No. Mm-hmm.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:10:47):
It's
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:47):
Amazing. Not unless you're on like a Kardashian episode talking about it in a weird sense. Right, right. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:10:52):
With what they do with it and stuff.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:10:53):
Yeah. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:10:54):
Um, mine was just like destroyed because it was fighting against, uh, for the baby mm-hmm . Because the baby didn't have strep. Um, but once they found out the source was the placenta, which is just, uh, covered in strep, um, they were like, oh, we gotta get her uterus out too. And they look at Reed and my mom, and they're like,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:11:16):
Reed being your husband. Mm-hmm
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:11:17):
. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:11:18):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:11:18):
Um, if she doesn't do this, she's gonna die, but if she does this surgery, she's probably gonna die too. And
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:11:26):
So you were given like a 10% chance, is that where that comes in to survive?
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Brie Morgan Bauer (00:11:30):
Yeah. Like overall. And it is so hard for a physician to even give that percentage.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:11:35):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:11:36):
Um, and they were ready, uh, I think like day three to pull the plug, you know, that saying,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:11:43):
Oh my gosh. Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:11:44):
Essentially it would be comfort care, uh, where they would help me with any kind of pain, but they wouldn't give me medications that would, um, keep me alive.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:11:56):
So day three of the medically induced coma mm-hmm
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:11:58):
.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:11:59):
I feel like we need to pull your mom in here too, to be like, oh, yeah, let me tell you what I was going through My gosh. And what to do. Yes. Because I can only imagine her feelings.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:12:06):
And she kept like a journal, and I still need to go back and, and read it. And, um, because I've been creating this timeline. Yeah. Um, and, and not only for me, but for other people to see how quickly this went down. But, um, they did the surgery and then they found that not only was, um, like the uterus impacted, my colon became necrotic. Um, when
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:12:34):
Is this just like a, is this like how quickly things travel in your body that it just starts infecting the next organ, the next organ? Or what is happening
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:12:41):
When
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:12:42):
That this is traveling so fast, like,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:12:44):
And like killing off stuff?
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Mindy Hargesheimer (00:12:45):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:12:46):
Uh, I, I'm not able to explain where, like why and where it kind of hits. Mm-hmm . What I do know is when you're in septic shock, you have what's called DIC Look it up if you want to, but it's where your body tries to give all the blood to the major organs, like your heart and your lungs, which is great. Thank you. Mm-hmm . You know, that's great. But it also, so it blocks, uh, blood flow where it shouldn't and then doesn't block where it should because
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:13:21):
Your body's that smart. I
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:13:22):
Just, yeah. And then also with that fact, uh, pressors is what they call it mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:13:29):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:13:29):
They help increase your blood pressure when you're going into septic shock or sepsis in general, your blood pressure goes down mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:13:36):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:13:37):
And the goal is to get it back up. But, uh, they were giving me pressors and, and fluid, but then this fluid would just accumulate underneath my lungs. Mm-hmm . And so I wasn't, my body wasn't getting oxygen. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:13:51):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:13:51):
So my O2 SATs were like in the teens for hours,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:13:54):
Which they should be
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:13:56):
A hundred percent .
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:13:57):
A hundred percent, yes. Okay. And mine
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Brie Morgan Bauer (00:13:58):
Was like 15% mm-hmm . Uh, 20%. I mean, it, it went up and down, but it was pretty low. Yeah. I mean, it wasn't a hundred percent for a long time mm-hmm . And I think that's when the doctors wanted to go in and, and say, you know, we, I think she'd be better off, you know, um, doing comfort care. Uh, but the nurse stood up and was like, no, do not do that. Wow. Uh, I feel like she's gonna come through or pull through. And even like the rt, uh, the rest respiratory therapist, they just had this belief that I was going to make it, and thank goodness for them that they had that feeling. Uh,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:14:38):
I mean, that's wild to think about like day to day, how many things were happening in a hospital, and one nurse
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:14:43):
Uhhuh
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:14:44):
Could have that gut feeling Yeah. And stand up and say something. Yeah. And it's that day, that person that time. That's crazy.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:14:50):
That's why I, I love nurses so much.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:14:52):
Yeah. Shout out to the nurses for all the things that we don't know mm-hmm . That are literally like these, you know, outlying lifesaving things that are going on. Yeah. Wow.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:15:00):
And just their intuition,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:15:02):
I'm assuming she's in your life today.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:15:04):
Uh, yes. , yes. Needless to
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:15:05):
Say,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:15:06):
She's wonderful. And hearing all the other things she was, um, had to work on because other people didn't come in for work and she was kind of picking up so many things. And then she does this. But it was interesting because she also had in mind, oh my God, did I cause something that now she regret regrets living in this state? Which I was like, no, I'm so glad I'm here. Sure. I'm glad, I'm glad I'm here. Mm-hmm . Um, you know, people that people have lost limbs, not just me. And, um, I feel like, you know, disability and, and that category of people aren't focused on that much, but, um, there are people even worse off. Sure. So I can't complain, really.
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Mindy Hargesheimer (00:15:57):
So you lost your limbs in what period of time?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:16:01):
So I think it was like that third day where, uh, my fingers started turning blue mm-hmm . And then my nose, and then my ears, and then all of a, it was just, I, I get a feeling it's like every hour it got up higher because
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:16:17):
The blood was not going all the places that it needed to go. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:16:22):
The, the pressors and then a DIC, um, thing that your body does, uh, it just shunted blood from extremities mm-hmm . And, um, all to help build the blood pressure. And that allows your major organs to get, um, blood flow. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:16:42):
But
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:16:42):
Unfortunately, part of my colon and my kidneys got hit. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:16:47):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:16:47):
Um, it's interesting because with my kidneys, kidneys they like kind of worked, but they didn't filter out the things that they needed to mm-hmm . Um, it's just in, like that's, they didn't affect the whole kidney, but it affected just that part of
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:17:02):
The
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:17:02):
Kidney of the filtration, which
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:17:04):
Of course we'll get to the kidney transplant.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:17:06):
Uh, yes. As well. Yes. Yes. Uh, and you know, it, it was just a roller coaster in a way for my family, um, those 10 days. And, and we really wanted to get to KU from where we were. Um, and finally we did, and I think it was a couple days after I was at ku, they woke me up. Um, but they had to put me on significant, uh, let's see here, like propofol and all the things you can think of to sedate a person. Mm-hmm
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Mindy Hargesheimer (00:17:39):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:17:39):
And what I recall, I think it's when I was coming off of those medications and they were starting to wake me back up, I had a state of what I felt like was purgatory and, um, I was kind of like in this little cart of my own, um, well, again, like a rollercoaster mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:18:00):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:18:00):
Um, and I see other people going through the, their own thing. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:18:05):
Are you, are you conscious at this point, or
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:18:07):
No?
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:18:07):
Are you I
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:18:08):
Don't think so.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:18:09):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:18:10):
I don't think so. That's,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:18:11):
You just have such a vivid Yeah. Memory of that going through.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:18:15):
And I knew, I told myself, I can't forget this, but I would travel to, um, the sounds that I could recognize mm-hmm . Or like, they played the Beatles a lot for me, which I love
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:18:27):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:18:28):
And, uh, we were right next to the room or room that was close to the helicopter pad,
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Mindy Hargesheimer (00:18:33):
Uhhuh, .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:18:34):
So those, and like the beeps of the dialysis machine. And, um, then I was faced with either going towards like a, a white area or going through like a tunnel. And I, I just went through the tunnel and then, um, there was a lot more that happened after that. Mm-hmm . Again, if I was conscious or not, I'm not sure.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:18:54):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:18:55):
But, um, what I recall the first thing happening was seeing my mom mm-hmm . And telling her I loved her. And she was like, um, so many people are praying for you, like around the world. And she's like, it's so crazy. Uh, which I was like, I don't know really what you're talking about, but Okay. Yeah. What's happening. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:19:15):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:19:16):
And then they asked me all of my nieces and nephews names, uh, because having that low oxygen, it could affect your, your brain. And
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:19:25):
So that was really your mom talking by the way, that wasn't just a part of like your Correct. Subconscious. Yeah. And we had So you went through the tunnel and then,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:19:32):
And then I
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:19:32):
Came to talking. Yeah. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:19:34):
Okay. Uh, but, um, they were afraid. I, I had, uh, cognitive issues, but I, I immediately list 'em all off. And then I remember seeing everyone's faces mm-hmm . And like, the sigh of relief isn't like a facial expression necessarily. Um, but I could tell like something, a weight had been lifted from their hearts knowing that I was still me.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:20:04):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:20:04):
Page 17 of 142
Um, and I believe I heard a lot of, like the doctors talking. I do remember my husband saying, you know, Bo looks great. Um, he looks like you. Um, and, um, at that time that, um, brain bleed actually was not as bad.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:20:28):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:20:28):
Um, so that was, that was great. And, um, he did very well through, uh, his NICU stay. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:20:33):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:20:34):
Uh, but I didn't ask about him, like when I actually woke up. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:20:39):
What was on your mind? Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:20:40):
What I I thought there was an asteroid that was coming down.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:20:48):
Ooh.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:20:48):
Yeah. And it was, it was so real, just like, like the, the sign. Yeah. That sounds real. That I felt it's so real that this is gonna happen. And I was terrified.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:20:59):
Were you saying anything out loud about that? Oh
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:21:01):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:21:01):
So they, they're hearing this. Okay. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:21:03):
And then they're like, breathe. No, we're, you're fine.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:21:06):
Wow.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:21:06):
Page 18 of 142
And I was, it was like the 27th, and then I was like, it's supposed to happen on the 28th. And, uh, I was just terrified. I had my, um, brother-in-law videotape all the things that were attached to me. 'cause in my mind I'm like, okay, if I flip over, I'll be fine or something. Yeah. And I didn't let like, really anyone in the room, um, 'cause I thought they were safer behind the glass. It was, it was crazy.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:21:33):
Oh my gosh.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:21:34):
And I
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:21:35):
Do you like chalk it up to the medication at this point? I, or I mean, do you even know I just want
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:21:39):
Coco, like, or cuckoo?
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:21:42):
Yes. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. You want cuco? Yeah. Um, have you documented, I mean, you obviously have this in your mind. I'm like, you are like privy to be writing a book. Obviously, I hope your experie experience. So
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:21:51):
I'm trying to get my husband involved with that too.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:21:53):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:21:53):
But we'll see. Um, it's just the, the point of view, especially when you're unconscious and the ability to, to hear is amazing. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:22:03):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:22:03):
I recommend people if that ever comes up, you know, God forbid, but, um, that they can hear you, but talk slowly. Mm-hmm . Repeat yourself. Um, 'cause I think my brother would yell in my ear. You like, about like, waking up? Yeah. And like, stop, not needed. Um, and, um, but coming off of those medications and if I was alone, I would, that would be terrifying.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:22:32):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:22:32):
Page 19 of 142
So I feel for those people who would wake up alone and
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:22:35):
Don't have family around. Yeah. Community around. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:22:38):
Um, I mean, and there were so many people, but like, thankfully with my fear of the asteroid, they, I, I told 'em to go home. I was like, just go home.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:22:47):
Go, go Be safe. Go away.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:22:48):
Yeah. Yeah. And then the next day happened and, um, I was like, oh, the weight was so lifted off my heart. 'cause it truly felt real. And um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:23:00):
Did you think the asteroid had like happened or passed at this point? Or
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:23:03):
Like, yeah, like the next day I was like, oh. So it didn't happen like it was supposed to happen today. Um, but like, it's just, it hasn't happened. But I had been awake all of those three days. Like, um, or once they woke me up, I was just awake. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:23:20):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:23:20):
I, I didn't sleep for three days and I was talking the entire time.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:23:24):
You're kind of getting a little delusional
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:23:25):
Oh my.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:23:26):
At that point, yes. Or maybe not a little. Maybe a lot.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:23:28):
A lot. Yeah. a lot . The hallucinations I had, um, not just then, but, um, I, I hardly talk about the other things that happened when I was in the hospital. 'cause there were three or four times where I was again, near death. Um, and it was self-advocacy that really helped in the advocacy for my husband, um, that pointed out these things. So it, I I was saved soon enough. Mm-hmm . Mm-hmm . Um, but, uh, can you
Page 20 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:24:00):
Say what the other things were that Yeah. You were close to death.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:24:03):
So one of 'em, my right leg, uh, they had closed it up without, they had taken off the leg. And with just like a side note about the amputations, what made me so upset. It was just like, they just kept cutting like inch by inch almost. And they wanted to save what they could. And it was so hard to tell what, um, you know, muscles or ligaments or whatnot had been impacted from sepsis mm-hmm . And became necro or dead. Um, because I'm, I'm not joking. Like my arms and legs, once they showed me they, they were dead. Like they just were black. And I'm like,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:24:48):
And you have a picture, I think of your leg, your maybe standing or near a bed and you have a picture of the, I don't know if it's both legs or black. And I'm
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:24:55):
Afraid to like, do that. 'cause I, I don't know if it would creep people out, but
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:24:59):
I think people are curious generally speaking. Yeah. Um, you know, I don't know. I feel like people can avoid it if they don't wanna see it, but I think it's really
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:25:06):
True.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:25:07):
I obviously have you here because I'm a very curious person and I wanna hear your story. Yeah. And I love to get into the details of it because I know so many other people are wondering too, you know, and what makes it go black? Because it's dead,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:25:17):
Because the blood flow was cut off. Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:25:19):
Essentially.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:25:20):
Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:25:20):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:25:21):
'cause everything like here needs to be
Page 21 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:25:24):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:25:24):
Uh, that's the priority one is, is your heart lungs. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:25:28):
. And
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:25:29):
Like your other organs. Um, it's just the kidneys that usually happens when someone goes into septic shock.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:25:36):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:25:36):
Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:25:37):
So did you play any part in a decision of the amputation? Or this is your husband, your mom?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:25:43):
They, they talked to them about this and my mom made sure that I made this decision. Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:25:49):
That
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:25:49):
It was okay. Um, 'cause she didn't want me to wake up with, without a limb mm-hmm . Um, and it was interesting, uh, because as a nurse, like I, they're, I knew they're not coming back mm-hmm . And so I was stripped away from the emotion part of that because I was like, what's, what's there to be sad about? It's gonna happen, it, whatever. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:26:13):
I wonder if you being a nurse definitely helped
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:26:15):
Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:26:16):
Play a part in that, knowing the reality versus the general public going through that. Yeah. Brie Morgan Bauer (00:26:19):
Page 22 of 142
Um, but then I looked at my husband, um, and I said, uh, would you still love me if I was a robot? ?
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:26:26):
Well, okay. Yeah. Back to that sense of humor. Yes. You already had it, it was like starting early .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:26:31):
And Yes. I, uh, and I even said like, my humor is still there at least mm-hmm . Because I try to make everyone laugh. And I had a smile on my face the whole time, even though like the what was going on was going on. Uh, I also said, um, once I looked at the, my arms and legs, I said, well, I'll just tell people I climbed Mount Everest.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:26:55):
Perfect.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:26:55):
Um, and then when I was essentially discharged to inpatient rehab mm-hmm . Um, there's a video of this too, where everyone was in a line and, and
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:05):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:27:05):
Wearing, wearing orange and stuff. Um, and then there was a sign that said like, you made it to the top of the mountain.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:11):
Oh, that's perfect. Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:27:13):
Um, and I completely fought, forgot about that until, um, a good friend reminded me They
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:18):
Listened to you. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:27:19):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:19):
What did the orange represent?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:27:21):
Um, the orange is for amputations.
Page 23 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:26):
Okay. Good to know.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:27:27):
Um, and whenever I do things on Instagram, I usually do like Orange Heart or Purple Heart. The purple is just because I, that's my favorite color. You love purple. Yeah. Yeah. But, um, it's good combo though.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:38):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:27:38):
, it kinda is. Yeah. Uh, you would think that, you know, 'cause my foundation, Brie Hope is focused on sepsis. And it was hard to get to a, a focus point because like, it could be maternity, um, it could be, uh, birth trauma. Mm-hmm . It could be, um, it, uh, in amputations.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:58):
The
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:27:58):
Amputations.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:27:58):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:27:59):
But I was like, what was a culprit? And it was sepsis. So starting to educate people about sepsis, um, and, and bringing a light because it is one of the, the number one, uh, cause of death. Um, or a cause of like disability
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:28:19):
Because it can happen to any one for any reason. Yeah. It's, it's not tied to any kind of
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:28:26):
Age ginger
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:28:26):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:28:27):
Race, it anyone,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:28:28):
Just, any infection can attack. And
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:28:31):
Page 24 of 142
That's what's weird is I, like, for me, I can realize that mine got so bad 'cause my immune system was down.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:28:38):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:28:39):
But I've heard other stories where it's like really fit people, um, had either strep throat or some kind of other infection and they went septic and they died. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:28:52):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:28:52):
Uh, so it's really watching out for your body, learning about your body
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:28:59):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:29:00):
And recognizing this isn't right. Even though if you can't pinpoint something
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:29:04):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:29:05):
And when you go see a doctor and you say, I just don't feel right. They should hear that as a red flag. Yeah. Um, I don't think everyone does though.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:29:14):
Yeah. And then I can imagine it being like, oh
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:29:17):
Yeah,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:29:17):
You're tired. Yeah. Or, you know, you're something. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:29:20):
But with pregnancy
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:29:22):
Too, when you trust your gut and, you know, uhhuh Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:29:24):
Page 25 of 142
Yeah. And, uh, just with advocating for yourself in the hospital. Um, 'cause uh, I'll get to a point where I did that, um, while I was inpatient. Um, that's what you have to do as, as a patient is question doctor's, um, game plan.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:29:46):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:29:47):
Um, always, if you're in the hospital, always know who you're talking to. Have them write their their name down, why they're there when you'll see them. And then there's always a rotation. And that confuses people a lot.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:29:59):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:30:00):
Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:30:00):
And something that I would firsthand say I would underestimate.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:30:03):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:30:04):
Like, oh, I, I should write their name down because I'm just assuming and like, you know, I'm at, I'm in a medical facility where everybody knows Right. They've got it, you know, handled.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:30:12):
Yeah. But they, they, I mean, there's
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:30:14):
A lot going on. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:30:15):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:30:15):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:30:16):
As a nurse, like I, I, and I love ku.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:30:19):
Yeah.
Page 26 of 142
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:30:19):
Um, but it's all about communication and everywhere, um, you know, for medical fields, they are trying to improve communication
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:30:28):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:30:29):
So, but with that said, a patient is involved in that communication. Yeah.
(00:30:34):
Um, but one of the worst times where I almost passed was, uh, after my leg, um, was closed up. Um, I got back to my room and this nurse an ethicist, um, she's amazing. I love her. Um, but she saw like a big bubble on the, on the dressing. Okay. And then she kind of tapped it and then blood came out. Mm. So I was hemorrhaging out, um, profusely. And, uh, I remember that it, it felt like a long time that the doctors were trying to figure out what to do, but I was in so much pain. Yeah. And my brother had been staying with me that night. for, this is George, and George is someone we'll talk about Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:31:22):
In
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:31:22):
A little bit. But, uh, he was just so worried because I remember being like, why isn't anyone helping me? Um, and he would be in and outta the room thinking like, what, what are you guys doing? Mm-hmm . Um, but again, I bet it was a couple minutes. Um, they had put me on Ketamine, which was, it's an interesting drug. Uh, but I do advocate for Ketamine. Um, because what it does is it doesn't necessarily take away the pain, but it tells your brain you're not in pain like that.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:31:54):
It's really interesting that you bring that up. 'cause I wanna bring someone on the podcast to talk about KE ketamine. Yeah. Yeah. 'cause I'm really, I've had other friends who've had, you know, family members go through things where they've, you know, had ketamine or experienced it or whatever mm-hmm . And it's, it's becoming more of a topic. So I wanna learn more about it.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:32:08):
Uh, for sure. I, when I was in Denver, um, as a nurse at cu, they would use ke ketamine often.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:32:17):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:32:17):
For those people who were becoming, um, their tolerance to pain medication. It just wasn't working. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:32:24):
So
Page 27 of 142
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:32:25):
They kind of reset their pain receptors. You put them on ketamine. And at first I was like, hold on, this is a horse. Tranquil.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:32:32):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:32:33):
Tranquilizer.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:32:33):
You're like, am I there yet? Until you make this right. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:32:36):
Um, but I, I mean, it works. And, um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:32:40):
Was it for the pain of the amputation at that point? Or was it just overall just nothing
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:32:45):
Was working? No. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:32:46):
The
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:32:46):
Block wasn't working. Um, and I don't know if they needed me to stay awake, uh, but, uh, I told, I looked at George and I was like, I know I'm in pain, but I don't feel it. But like, you know, it's, it's the weirdest thing. It's a total out of body mm-hmm . Experience. But I heard they like, will give it sometimes to kids if they like break something. Like I have a, um, a significant I significant fracture. Yeah. Um, and it, it's safe, you know, in the medical field.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:33:18):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:33:19):
Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:33:19):
Right.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:33:20):
But I think there's, there's, there's more, um, information coming out about mental health too. Yeah, Mindy Hargesheimer (00:33:26):
Page 28 of 142
For sure.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:33:26):
But, um, anyways, so, uh, luckily when I went back to the, OR for some reason, all the doctors that needed to help out with this we're there mm-hmm . Uh, 'cause there with all my amputations, like, um, there's probably four or five doctors involved mm-hmm . With this. Um, and it was just amazing that they were all there to make sure that it got closed up appropriately.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:33:53):
All four at this
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:33:54):
Point. I believe so. Yeah. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:33:56):
I was just
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:33:56):
Told that everyone was there that needed to be
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:33:58):
There. Yeah. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:33:59):
Um, but it was hard to keep track of who, so Brubaker did the, a hand in the arm, but then there's like this, uh, pediatric ortho specialist,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:34:11):
Uhhuh ,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:34:12):
Um, who was consulted for me just to, um, figure out the bone situation. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:34:19):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:34:19):
And, uh, vascular and just overall ortho. And they, they actually wanted to wait a while to do the amputations. Really? I'm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:34:28):
Like,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:34:29):
I'm like, no, this has happened. Like, we're giving these,
Page 29 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:34:31):
You encourage them. Well,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:34:33):
I was like,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:34:33):
For the ahead
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:34:35):
With, with, uh, frostbite mm-hmm . Sometimes you do regenerate, you know, tissue mm hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:34:42):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:34:42):
And actually with me, it happened with my nose it, my ear, which I was supposed to lose both. That's
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:34:49):
Crazy. Because I'm looking at your nose and I'm like, there's no sign. Right.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:34:52):
Right. Um, it, yeah, it was, it's crazy. Um, and there's a point where my legs started growing this fungus.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:35:01):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:35:02):
And I think it's because we went outside and like the fluffy foot things that I was wearing hit the ground and a fungus starting
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:35:14):
Go a figure.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:35:14):
It's a dead tissue and fungus grows on dead things.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:35:17):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:35:18):
Um, and once that was there, I was like, we're getting this off. You're
Page 30 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:35:21):
Like, this is getting ridiculous. This
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:35:22):
Is a fungus . Yeah. And I was terrified. Um, the idea is like, a fungus won't grow up to live tissue. And I'm like, can you say that for sure, Uhhuh? And they're like, no. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:35:35):
. And
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:35:36):
That's why I was like, I, I kind of pushed it pretty hard, but, um, yeah,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:35:39):
Your like nursery is coming through. Hear you
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:35:42):
. It just sucked because they just, every promise or thought that they had became the opposite. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:35:50):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:35:50):
Where I was supposed to be above the knee on both legs, Uhhuh, , um, it was supposed to have a hand still on this right side.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:35:58):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:35:59):
Um, I knew they were gonna take my left side off mm-hmm . But that was pretty, that was like a one. And they cut it and then they keep it open and then they go back to surgery to close it up. Um, and so that was pretty good from what I recall mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:36:14):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:36:14):
But, um, I ended up keeping my hand on the left side
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:36:19):
Really?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:36:19):
Page 31 of 142
Uh, that Yeah. Like the bones of the hand. Was it the left side? It had to have been, um, like
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:36:24):
As a souvenir.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:36:25):
Mm-hmm .
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:36:26):
And for
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:36:26):
Some reason I was just like, I want those bones. I
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:36:29):
Love that. Um, and
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:36:30):
I wanted the, the foot bones too, but it was a little, it was hard to find someone that would like, take care of it. 'cause the
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:36:39):
Oh
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:36:39):
Tissue was so, it was like mummified mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:36:42):
. On
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:36:43):
My, um, bones. And I don't, I don't know what even what they used to take it off, but they like scraped it off and, um, but it, it was kind of expensive and it was also hard to tell the doctors I wanted it. You're like,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:36:58):
What? No one's ever asked for their hand before,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:37:01):
But you have every right
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:37:02):
To
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:37:02):
Page 32 of 142
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:37:03):
You're like, it's fine.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:37:04):
Yes. And I'm so glad I did it. It was it, but it hurt me a little bit. It was just like a heartache thing. Um, when we got the bones, Reid looked at it and he's like, yeah, that's the hand I used to hold. I know, I know. And I was just, that was what those little things just like bring you back to the reality of what life used to be like mm-hmm . Um, and, and I'm also, but with that said, I'm, I'm probably gonna put, um, my wedding ring and my engagement ring on the bone
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:37:34):
Thing. So where are they at home on display. It's,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:37:37):
It's in like one of those memory boxes.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:37:39):
Yeah. Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:37:40):
And I'm trying to make it, I, I kept the flowers I got while I was in the hospital. 'cause I love dried flowers.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:37:46):
I, that's such a fun thing. It
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:37:48):
Is.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:37:49):
Well, and you're an artist, we need to talk about that. Right. So that's probably another thing. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:37:52):
But I would call it, I would call it a, a noob artist. Okay. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:37:57):
Better than I could do. I
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:37:58):
Can
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:37:59):
Tell you that
Page 33 of 142
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:37:59):
Much. So it's, it's fun though. We'll, yeah. We'll talk about that. But, um, yeah. And, and, uh, I'm trying to make it like a, uh, DIA Dia Oh my gosh. Dia de
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:38:11):
Muerto de los dia de los Muertos.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:38:14):
Yes.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:38:14):
Thank
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:38:14):
You.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:38:15):
Love.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:38:15):
Uh, and so I've,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:38:17):
It's one of my favorite holidays to celebrate for all the reasons behind it. So, and the beau
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:38:22):
The beauty of it. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:38:23):
Uh,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:38:25):
And recognizing, you know, that was a part of me. It's not a part of me now. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:38:33):
And it's about celebrating life.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:38:35):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:38:35):
Ultimately.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:38:36):
Page 34 of 142
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:38:37):
And by the way, so that reminds me, so, okay, so you're gonna, you're gonna put the rings on, that's the plan. Yeah. And then decorate it. Mm-hmm . And with the flowers. Okay. So I think you had said at some point that, and I'm not, I'm not gonna quote this 'cause I'll get it wrong, but that you feel like this is a second version of life. Mm-hmm . Is that how you look at it? Can you kind of talk a little bit about that?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:38:57):
My, like, my entire life, I just kind of grew up this way. And I think it's, 'cause my mom does this too, but if anything bad happens, we always have a silver lining. Um, where we, we remind ourself of what is good in life.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:39:12):
What an incredible quality.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:39:14):
It's hard
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:39:14):
To do. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:39:15):
Yeah. Um, and it does impact emotion. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:39:20):
Uh,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:39:20):
Because what my therapist says is I lack that. I, I can process things uhhuh,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:39:25):
Which is
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:39:26):
Fine, but the emotional aspect. Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:39:29):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:39:29):
But because it does keep that at bay, if I tell myself, you know, God has given me a second life. Um, and I feel so blessed that I have what I have. Um, and the baby is fine.
Page 35 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:39:48):
No health problems.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:39:49):
No health problems at
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:39:50):
All.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:39:51):
And, um, it's a point of view. I would've never had if it was, 'cause I was a basic bitch before , you know, like Joco,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:40:02):
I love that you call it that. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:40:04):
The, what is it called? The, um, Johnson County Tan.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:40:07):
Yeah. The Johnson County Beige
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:40:09):
Be, yeah. Yeah. Uh, going through the motions. And, uh, what I also,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:40:16):
Are you Johnson County Black now because you can join my love of Black .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:40:19):
I, I, uh, this is my favorite shirt. This is Little Bipsy. And, um, it's , it's so funny 'cause it's always the shirt that my ileostomy will, um, come undone Uhhuh. And I'm just like, I'm wearing this to the interview. I don't want that to happen during the interview . But, um, yeah, that my like what to wear is a whole other thing. Could
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:40:44):
Do a whole topic on that.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:40:45):
Oh my gosh. Yes. But, um, with, we were talking about the hand and the flowers, and
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:40:51):
Then so the second version of life Oh, of life. Yeah. The Johnson County Beige. And Yeah. Brie Morgan Bauer (00:40:55):
Page 36 of 142
And, uh, I, I really appreciate that. I really appreciate getting this. 'cause I feel like since you only live once, like I've almost lived twice, I've always believed even before I got sick, that in order to have like a good quality of life or that you've lived a full life mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:41:16):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:41:17):
Is if you felt every emotion. Um, and this has brought a lot of different emotions. No
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:41:22):
Kidding. To
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:41:23):
Delight and, um, also the way people live. And, um, but I, I've given a lot of respect 'cause I saw a lot at KU as a nurse and, and cu
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:41:34):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:41:34):
Um, at the bedside. You become family with these patients just for a couple days
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:41:39):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:41:40):
And, uh, but you see what goes on in their life and it's just, you're, you, you humble yourself. Um, and I'm really good at that is just kind of humbling myself. But this morning, for instance mm-hmm . I was so mad. I was almost like, I'm not doing this interview because I was trying to use my arm to help put makeup on and stuff, uh,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:01):
And do my
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:42:01):
Hair. Uh, I literally dropped everything.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:03):
Oh, no. And if it something
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:42:04):
Dropped
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:05):
Page 37 of 142
Just one of those days. Right. Well, I'm so glad you did not cancel, because I would've been real mad at you if you had canceled, but we would've gotten you back on the calendar.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:42:11):
Yes. That's so true. But, um, yeah, it's, uh, it's a weird thought. Um, I remember talking to my dad way before he passed about, you know, I, I believe God puts you in certain circumstances and, and watches to see how you deal with it.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:30):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:42:31):
Um, and to live a life of just depression, and, which I ha I do have. Yeah. But, um, but to like, let that overcome, like, I'm not gonna let this win. Mm-hmm . Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:46):
I, did you feel that way in the beginning?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:42:48):
Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:42:48):
Or have you evolved to this now? Like how have you evolved from the last two years?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:42:53):
So, when they first showed me my arms and legs, you know, I talked about, um, you know, becoming a robot and stuff.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:43:01):
Was that really your initial reaction? Or did you have grief or were you like, I knew this was happening,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:43:06):
So there was like 12 people in the room just to see what I would do, I think. And I was like, okay, so let's get 'em off. Like, okay, let's, let's get to rehab and, and let's get the prosthetics and go from there.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:43:17):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:43:17):
Um, because there's no other, I guess to me, like there's just no other,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:43:24):
There another option, but like, clearly your personality mm-hmm
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:43:27):
Page 38 of 142
.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:43:28):
And your outlook on life was the best it could be in this situation. 'cause clearly a lot of people wouldn't have looked at it that way. So Yeah. Keep going. 'cause I think that, I mean, so your faith is important to you. You mentioned
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:43:40):
I'm still learning. Okay. I
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:43:41):
Would
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:43:41):
Say, yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:43:42):
Um, probably put your, uh, yeah. Your, your faith was tested, no doubt.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:43:46):
Yeah. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:43:47):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:43:47):
Um, I, I question and I believe, um, one thing I remember saying to a lot of people was prayers work. Um, because, uh, I've heard that a lot of people were praying for me. Um, and, but I think overall my dad, you know, wherever he is did have a hand in , me losing my hands. a
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:44:14):
Lot of hand jokes in there. Right, right.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:44:15):
Yeah. Oh my gosh, there's so many too . Uh, but I think he wanted to make sure the baby was good 'cause he was all about his grandkids.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:44:24):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:44:24):
Um, and, and then he was like, you can, you can deal. Um, but I also think this, this did not happen, but I put myself in a position where, what if, you know, I was presented with someone and they were like, you can go back, but you have to lose all, all your limbs. Um, and I said, yes. You know, uh, especially for the baby. Like, I wanna be there.
Page 39 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:44:48):
So I actually wrote that down because I heard you say that on the Kansas City Mom Collective podcast, the mom cast where you said, um, you know, basically I have right here, you have the option, you can live and your baby can live, but you have to lose your arms and legs mm-hmm . And you said Absolutely. Yes. And I was like, that is so profound. Yeah. Like that, that, um, had not even entered my brain in thinking about you and your situation of that being, I mean, of course you would say, yes, you're
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:45:14):
Right.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:45:14):
But I just had never thought about it. So I loved that
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:45:17):
It would be like, I would be very upset with those who would say no to this. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:45:24):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:45:24):
Um, to where like, if you're, for some reason you needed to lose your arms and legs for your child mm hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:45:30):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:45:31):
I, I hope
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:45:32):
We say as parents, we would do anything. Yeah. Right. Yeah. And not everybody, but Right. Yeah. I
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:45:36):
Mean, hope, hopefully that doesn't come about, but like, that's what
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:45:41):
Is this where we enter the joke of like, your feet are put to the fire and then you have to decide Yeah. If you're gonna keep your feet or you're gonna keep your limbs and you're like, of course. No, I'm gonna
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:45:50):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:45:50):
Have my baby. I
Page 40 of 142
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:45:51):
Wanna, and, um, I just, I I just wanna be there. And I knew my husband knew that too. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:45:59):
And
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:45:59):
His whole thing was like, I just want a mother for my children.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:46:04):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:46:05):
Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:46:07):
And well, because I'm sure, and I'm sure he's talked about it with you guys many times, but like, his life was flashing before his eyes as being a single dad.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:46:15):
Oh, yeah. And
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:46:15):
So, and,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:46:16):
Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:46:18):
I asked him, thank goodness that didn't have to happen for him.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:46:20):
Well, I asked him what he was would do, and he's, he was like, well, probably for a couple years, like, 'cause Reid Reid and I would talk about everything. Yeah. I meant I can't drive yet, yet
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:46:29):
Yet. Operative term. Love it.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:46:30):
And, uh, so we bring up so many different things. And one was like, what, what was in your mind? Like, what would you do if I did pass? And he's like, I probably have your mom stay with us for a couple years, ,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:46:42):
Page 41 of 142
Uhhuh, .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:46:43):
And then we would move, you know, somewhere else just to kind of get away from, um, the reminders.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:46:49):
Reminders. Yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:46:50):
But, uh, it just interesting, I also asked him if you saw me like this 'cause we met in college. Yeah. Um, and like, would you approach me? And he was like, I don't think I would. Uh, and I, I get that. Mm-hmm . I get that. I mean, it's, there's a lot. Um, sure. A lot of questions. A lot of people always look at me and they're like, how the other day when we were leaving Shields, the soccer field?
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:47:18):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:47:19):
Um, I mean, everyone leaves at once and so there's a
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:47:21):
Fun crowd. Oh, I know. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:47:22):
But I heard, and I know it was an older man, um, 'cause it's very interesting how older men approach me. Um, but this one was like, oh, poor thing. Um, that, that's, that's horrible. But like, he's not talking to
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:47:37):
Me, not talking to you. He's
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:47:38):
Just like behind me saying this
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:47:39):
Stuff and you're like, I can hear you.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:47:40):
Yes. . And, uh,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:47:42):
Would you rather him just come talk to you? Oh, totally. Like what I, you know, I had, um, Matt and Chrissy Stewart were on the podcast a few weeks ago, and there are a couple here, three kids, both of them are living with stage four cancer.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:47:55):
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Oh my gosh.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:47:56):
I know. And so I'll be releasing their podcast, actually, it's coming out next. But incredible people, incredible outlook on life. But one of the things that came up is like, how do you, what do you say and what do you not say? Right. Right. Yeah. You know, are there certain ways that you would guide people to, even if it's like, don't be afraid. Come up and ask me. Right.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:48:15):
You
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:48:15):
Know? Right. What was your journey like? What should people, how should people approach the topic whether they know you or don't?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:48:20):
I think a lot of people know how to keep quiet. Mm-hmm . But, um, that's when the kids kind of look at me and they're like, they don't, she doesn't have hands mm-hmm . Um, and the parents are like, just sh sh like go
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:48:33):
A lot of shushing. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:48:34):
Um, one, I understand that if they need to get somewhere Yeah. We're not gonna stop. But, um, I, well there's one time I was picking up my middle child and he was probably four. So the classroom of four year olds mm-hmm . And they are so intrigued. Mm-hmm . I mean, they will ask any question
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:48:54):
Without hesitation. Right. Yeah. No filter. Right. And
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:48:56):
Like, they're, they're very sincere about it. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:48:59):
And
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:49:00):
I, um, that was the first time that that had happened. And I was like, what do I, what do I say? And like you were talking about like mm-hmm . Do you get into it? And I'm like, well, I have what's called sepsis.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:49:11):
Yeah.
Page 43 of 142
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:49:11):
And, and it's, but then I think I've come down to, you
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:49:15):
Bring your Mount Everest story in. Well, I
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:49:16):
Tell
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:49:17):
Telephone tail.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:49:18):
You gotta wash your hands like .
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:49:20):
Yeah. Because
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:49:20):
Kids are so gross. Anyways.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:49:22):
Yeah, totally. Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:49:23):
So I freak 'em out by saying, just remember to wash your hands, . Um, which
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:49:27):
I could see some kids walking away being like,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:49:28):
Oh
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:49:29):
Yeah, I gotta wash my hands. I gotta go.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:49:31):
Yep. Um, but they, that's so great. There's, and then there's a point where a mother brought her son over to me and she's like, ask her, you know, ask mm-hmm . And, and I think that was great. Good. Good
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:49:44):
To know. Um,
Page 44 of 142
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:49:44):
It was a good environment to do so, but I don't mind people coming up. I, I'm trying to get, um, this wonderful woman made these like signs for me to put on my wheelchair. That's like, essentially if you wanna know, just go here.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:49:58):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:49:58):
Um, and then there's like a little QR code on it. So
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:50:01):
Is it for Breeze Foundation?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:50:02):
It's, it will direct. Oh gosh. It would direct them to our Breeze hope.org website.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:50:09):
Okay. Breeze Hope. Sorry. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:50:10):
But it would be it. But it does say Bo and Bree.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:50:14):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:50:15):
So, um, a little bit of both. Uh, I never knew, I never knew in my entire life that I would do this.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:50:22):
Well, that was another question is at what point did you realize, okay, I'm gonna put it out there for the world to see. When did that happen? What prompted that? And how did you go about that in the early stages? Because you're, you're upwards of 400, 500,000 I know on Instagram. Oh yes. Followers. So like, well,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:50:39):
When it comes to Instagram, I just was like, people need to see the reality of this. Yeah. (00:50:44):
And be raw and, um, try to show the, the ups and downs and, um, the story of, of how everything went. It's just a lot. So my sister-in-law helped me with it. 'cause obviously, like even you use a phone, you know, that like, just the easy, uh, movement of just grabbing your phone from your pocket that I was, I still had that in my mind. Mm-hmm . But since that has gone away Yeah. Which I do feel really refreshed not having that anymore. Not having that feeling. Yeah. But, um, I needed help with the Instagram and so we would talk about what we should say, what we should not say. 'cause we, we didn't wanna say anything too early, especially with
Page 45 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:51:25):
The, we we being like you and Reed,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:51:27):
Uh, my
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:51:27):
Sister-in-law, or your sister-in-law. Okay. Got it.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:51:30):
And, uh, but it was just insane, that number growing. And my sister-in-law made this huge sign, it's like a hundred thousand followers, Uhhuh.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:51:41):
And
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:51:41):
I was like, this is, this is too much. This is way, like, I got very anxious at that time. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:51:47):
Really because
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:51:48):
When you really, if I would really think about it, like picture 400,000 people, I would, I'd be like, I'm gonna shut this down. Mm-hmm . This is too many people. Like having that lot of eyes on you, lot of shield of like, anonymity in a way. Yes. Uhhuh . Um, where I don't have to answer all the questions. Um, I don't have to be faced with, uh, too much. But I do, I do wanna respond to people as much as I can. Um, and it's hard for me to put, 'cause I'm doing it by myself now. And
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:52:21):
Are you,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:52:22):
It's hard to, um, put out stuff.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:52:27):
Did you decide to do it because you were getting so many questions that you're like, you know what, this would be easier to just have like a central spot? Or did you think, you know what, there's a big story here that I really want the world to know.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:52:36):
It was, uh, my, my sister Don, she's, it took time out of her day mm-hmm . And, um, she wanted me to, um, do it independently.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:52:47):
Page 46 of 142
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:52:47):
Um, and so, you know, I started, and I, I really liked it because I had more control of what was gonna be said. Mm-hmm . Um, and she would write all like, this huge paragraph and I'm like, I'm not gonna do that. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:52:59):
I can't do that .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:53:01):
Um, but I can at least show just what life looks like.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:53:06):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:53:07):
Um, I think people enjoy seeing how I adapt to life. Um, 'cause that's, that's what it's all about.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:53:16):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:53:17):
Um, and the big picture of things, and with my previous job as a research nurse and, um, the study we did, we did that went into JAMA for quality life. Um, what I took from it was these, usually it was men. Um, they would mention, um, like adapting to becoming old, adapting where they wouldn't be able to do the things like they usually did.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:53:45):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:53:46):
Um, and for those who just, um, took that for granted and like really bummed out and, and angry and they just couldn't get over the fact that they can't do it anymore. Mm-hmm . Their quality life was down. And then those two like accepted it and adapted to life where they saving energy in different places, and it's okay that you don't mow the whole lawn in one day. Mm-hmm . Mm-hmm . Um, that's what I got from it. And so I've kind of lived that way. And then this, this is how I live now is so
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:54:20):
And so. That was from the research paper.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:54:22):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:54:23):
Page 47 of 142
So that is so crazy,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:54:24):
So crazy
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:54:25):
That that was like the precursor that power learn uhhuh, to all of this. Wow.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:54:30):
And I feel so lucky to be a part of that. And knowing that, um, it was hard to like pinpoint what exactly was it, like the sauce, like what, what was working
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:54:45):
Mm-hmm
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:54:45):
. Um, so we did a few things, um, to help improve quality of life. Uh, it's funny 'cause at the end of the article it said it may have just been the nurse and the social worker that was, you know, doing it. That's what made it good or something. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, but again, like I learned so much from these people. Um, and that as you get older, you're gonna have to adapt every day. You have to adapt.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:10):
Sure.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:55:11):
It's your acceptance of it. I feel like I turned 90 very quickly. Mm. Where I, you know, it's hard to walk, you know, I am in pain, you know, like all of the things, all the limitations.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:25):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:55:25):
Um, as you get older. Um, but I, um, I'm like, I can still get strong mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:36):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:55:36):
Um, because working out and, and exercising was a big part of my life before.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:41):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:55:42):
It's interesting because I went to blush bootcamp, which is great. Oh,
Page 48 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:45):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:55:46):
Everyone should go.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:46):
Uhhuh
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:55:47):
. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:47):
Shout out to blush.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:55:48):
Yes. Because they've been great too. But,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:50):
Uh,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:55:51):
I, they would take photos of you while working out, and then it would be on a Facebook, like a closed Facebook account.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:55:58):
Uhhuh . And I
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:55:59):
Hated it. I hated it. Oh, sure. I would too. Because like, you have this image in your brain and they don't have any mirrors. And so you've had this image in your brain that you're like, killing it. This is what I look like. And then you see the picture and you're like, oh my gosh. Yeah. But I'm so thankful they did that. 'cause I can show now, like what I used to be able to do.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:56:16):
'cause you weren't sitting around taking pictures of yourself Right. In your full length mirror. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:56:20):
Right. . And, uh, there's a picture where I'm like, doing a handstand, and I was like, yeah, I could, I used to be able to do that and Yep. Um, it actually, there was a picture that was taken two days before I went in to go to the doctor. Oh.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:56:34):
'cause you were 27 weeks, so mm-hmm . Yeah.
Page 49 of 142
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:56:35):
And like, uh, but it's amazing, like what I was doing still mm-hmm . Pregnant. Um, and the doctors felt like because I was active mm-hmm . And ate Right. And, um, took care of myself. That's what helped,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:56:51):
Also helped
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:56:52):
You keep me alive. Yeah. Um, the nurse that took care of me, she, because I asked her, it was like everyone's saying, I'm just so strong and whatnot. I didn't do, I didn't do shit. I was laying, am I laying, I was laying down in a coma, like I didn't do anything. Right. She's like, no. It was your sur survival instinct. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:57:10):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:57:10):
Wow.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:57:11):
That
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:57:11):
It just, you know, turned on and, and, um, it worked. Mm-hmm .
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:57:15):
And
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:57:16):
I, I totally believe in that.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:57:18):
And,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:57:18):
Um, I just, you know, hope no one has to go through that. But Yeah. Um, with going back to the Instagram, like, I do my best. So like, people who follow, because
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:57:28):
You're, you're still actively
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:57:30):
I do, yeah.
Page 50 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:57:30):
Posting new content. Mm-hmm . Especially with Breeze Hope like you'll have that as well. Yeah. So, um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:57:36):
And I tried to just show, um, like this morning, Uhhuh, I was, I have like a, this new cool camera, um, and I drop it mm-hmm . And, uh, all I caught was me trying to blow dry my hair, Uhhuh
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:57:51):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:57:51):
And it took like 10 minutes to even turn the blow dryer on. Um, but this is when I use the prosthetic. I know I need to use it more, but I do better without it right now.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:58:03):
Are you talking about the, do you have two of these, or just one?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:58:05):
I do have two. Um, I don't usually wear the right one. Uh, it's very heavy. Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:58:11):
'cause
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:58:11):
It goes, um, the weird thing is I saw my, is it all higher
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:58:16):
Up?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:58:16):
Um, yeah, it goes like all the way Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:58:18):
Up
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:58:18):
Here. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:58:19):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:58:19):
Page 51 of 142
Uh, actually even higher, maybe up to like the shoulder, because it's all about the suction and keeping it in place. Yeah. This, I have like, the elbow. Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:58:28):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:58:28):
But right here, this, this little chunk is my elbow.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:58:32):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:58:33):
And
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:58:33):
Yeah, you can see it.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:58:34):
You, yeah, you can, um, uh, the prosthetic has to be longer or something, so it's, it's different than other, above the mm-hmm. Elbow pros prosthetics. But
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:58:49):
Did you ever connect with Billy Brim?
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:58:51):
My mom has.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:58:52):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:58:52):
Uh,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:58:52):
He was on the podcast. He and his wife Allie are amazing. If you haven't met him at you, you have to. They're gems of people. So.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:58:58):
Well, I just wanna meet, uh, I just wanna go on, um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:01):
Undergone.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:59:02):
Page 52 of 142
Yes.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:02):
Yeah. You definitely need to go. Also,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:59:04):
Like, backstage. I just wanna hang out
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:05):
Back stage. Oh, a hundred percent. Yeah. And
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:59:06):
Then meet everyone. Um, I
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:08):
Bet you can make that happen, because
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:59:09):
Every I
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:10):
I,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:59:10):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:11):
It's every November, so,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:59:13):
Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:13):
It'll come up. We'll talk, we'll figure that out. Off, off record. We'll work on that
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:59:17):
. Yes. Yes. Uh, we have proof now that I want to
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:19):
Do it. Not that I've ever been backstage, but I go to Thunder wrong every year. So
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:59:22):
I, but that's another thing. Like, I try to milk this as much as I do,
Page 53 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:26):
As you should. no shame in that.
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:59:28):
Right. And like, I Please, I have no arms. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:32):
You
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:59:32):
Know, or legs, uh, . Um, and, but with this foundation, um, we're, we're focusing more on sepsis, but there's, I, I hope to, you know, spread it out as much as I can. 'cause f foundations are odd sometimes, where like, their focus is so vague.
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:52):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:59:53):
But I think that's because they wanna try to reach
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:56):
A larger, different,
Brie Morgan Bauer (00:59:57):
Different
Mindy Hargesheimer (00:59:57):
Avenues. So are you, obviously you're raising money mm-hmm . Um, and then, so what is the plan? Are you gonna educate? Are you going to have people, um, like apply for, you know, I don't know, would be a Grants Uhhuh. . Thank you. Yeah. What does that look like? Uh,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:00:13):
We, oh, I'm, so they'd both, I didn't answer your first question or the other question about how it all started. It was because my sister was good friends with a woman who, um, that's all she does is starts, start, starts foundations.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:00:27):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:00:28):
Um, and she told my sister, she's like, Brie would be perfect for
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:00:32):
It. Yeah.
Page 54 of 142
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:00:33):
She, she already has the biggest following
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:00:35):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:00:35):
And that's probably the hardest part. And so I'm like, I wanna get with her. Like, let's, let's get this going. Yeah. And she has been, um, you know exactly what we needed to help mm-hmm . Get it started. And, um, you know,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:00:49):
When I saw on your website, you have a lot of people that are like a part of it, right. That are helping you with it.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:00:54):
Oh, with the board.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:00:55):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:00:55):
Yeah. Uh, you have
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:00:56):
Maybe they're friends and family, but
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:00:57):
, it's,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:00:58):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:00:58):
It's almost like I had to put people down.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:01:01):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:01:01):
Um, but right now I don't really have roles for them technically. Mm-hmm . Um, it's because we're still learning how it, how it goes. We, so, gosh, there's, there's this form that goes through the IRS and supposedly it was gonna take another year to get
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:01:21):
Page 55 of 142
Approved. Oh, gosh. I can only imagine. But
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:01:23):
Somehow, like, it was approved, and so
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:01:25):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:01:25):
We got started before we thought we were to get started. Okay. So
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:01:29):
I was
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:01:29):
Just like, I'm gonna do every interview.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:01:31):
Yep.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:01:32):
I'm gonna just try to advocate, um, and tell the, my story. And so hopefully people will understand, um, you know, how, essentially if you wanna help me mm-hmm . Um, help me with this foundation. And then what we'll do is we'll write grants. Yep.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:01:48):
There's
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:01:49):
Gonna be a lot of detail of like, who we're looking out for, but
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:01:52):
Essentially
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:01:52):
It's families who have had to deal with a loved one, um, like following up from the, um, what sepsis can cause mm-hmm . Because it can cause amputations or it could cause just kidney disease. Yeah. Um, or, you know, cognitive issues. There's so many different things mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:02:14):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:02:15):
Um, and like, age wise, again, any, any age can
Page 56 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:02:19):
Get it. Any age. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:02:21):
Uh, so we'll have to narrow that down, but we wanna help those families in a way. Um, where in the beginning we kind of needed that. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:02:32):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:02:32):
But we were so blessed to have GoFundMe. Yes.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:02:37):
Which
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:02:37):
Was,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:02:37):
That's amazing.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:02:39):
Amazing. Like,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:02:40):
That is where I feel like humanity comes in. Oh, right. Oh, yeah. Yeah. When you live in a world that you feel like it's so crazy and so divided, it's like, it doesn't matter who these people are and what they believe in, it's like, whew, we are in Uhhuh $5 even. That's
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:02:51):
A really interesting point because, uh, there are times when I would post something on Instagram and I am like, oh my gosh, I have a, I have both sides here.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:03:00):
Mm.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:03:01):
Um, and I love that.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:03:02):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:03:03):
Page 57 of 142
Uh, I love knowing that it's a collaborative, um, topic. It's also, I always try to make it, um, where it enlightens people about their own life and, and what, uh, they think they may be taken for granted. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:03:21):
Or,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:03:22):
You know, I've heard, um, uh, gosh, I, I, I've heard so much, but it's also helped me hear from others who may be, they don't wanna be in the spotlight mm-hmm . But have been going through something similar, like a woman with like, brain cancer. She, she's like, oh, I just feel so bad. Like, she's, and she says the sweetest things, and I'm like, honey, no, you, let's like talk about you, you have brain cancer. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:03:49):
To me, I'm
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:03:50):
Like, that's so much worse.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:03:52):
So I would imagine you have people probably from around the world Yeah. Since, which
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:03:56):
Is so cool.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:03:57):
Yeah. And then it's so cool. Are people kind of like consistently coming into your dms, emailing you? Do you respond to them? Like, what, how does that look for you and how do you I try communicate. Yeah. I'm like, I can imagine it would probably be hard to keep up. Or you feel like you'd have to be like, on all the time talking about it
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:04:14):
Would be all the time. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:04:15):
And,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:04:16):
Uh, I'm trying to learn different ways instead of just saying thank you.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:04:21):
Yeah. Because
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:04:21):
They so say such nice comments. And, um, what
Page 58 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:04:25):
Do you usually hear? Like, what's a, what are a few common things that you hear from people? Like,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:04:29):
You're amazing, you know,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:04:30):
Just sharing you on Yeah. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:04:32):
Role model. And, um, but when it comes to like, the dms, that's where I hear more personal stories.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:04:38):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:04:39):
Um, and it's hard to capture everyone's, yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:04:43):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:04:44):
But the ones I've heard, like a woman, she, 'cause I think I talked about motherhood mm-hmm . Um, and she was like, my mom was, I think quad quadriplegic. Okay. And, um, she's like, that didn't matter at all. Mm-hmm . She was still my mom. Mm-hmm. And that was, that was just so nice to hear.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:04):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:05:05):
Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:06):
It's very specific to your stage of life Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:05:07):
Right
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:08):
Now too, right? With littles. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:05:10):
Yeah. Littles
Page 59 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:11):
Mm-hmm . And,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:05:11):
Um, they're at a, such a fun age and they're boys and I'm like, I gotta like get those hugs in now.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:18):
Yeah. And
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:05:18):
The, and the kids because they're not gonna let me do that. Yep. And I can't like chase after 'em. Um, but, uh, it's been, it's been better as far as like motherhood and Yeah. Um, then I heard today that it's just these little things that, um, a lot of them will say that they pray for me every day.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:39):
Mm-hmm
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:05:39):
. And, um, I, like from day one, they've done this.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:41):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:05:43):
Um, and then my mom told me a story that, uh, like, um, connection through different people, but, um, that person's daughter, she's like nine mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:55):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:05:55):
Uh, she prays for me every night and I just like,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:05:59):
And how can you not love and appreciate that?
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:06:01):
And then there one more. And then, um, a woman came in and she talked about how her daughter, she was younger, um, had to get her hands amputated or her feet or something mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:06:13):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:06:13):
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And she would always look at my Instagram and to gain, you know, motivation and, and Yeah. Some
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:06:20):
Confidence and
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:06:21):
Optimism. Yeah. Yes. Optimism for
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:06:22):
Sure. Mm-hmm
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:06:22):
. And I'm like, I will keep doing this just for her.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:06:24):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:06:25):
Like that, that means so much to me. Um, and
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:06:29):
Yeah, like you said, like the second version of life, you have a different purpose. Yeah. That's exactly very fulfilling for you. Yeah. Because of what it's doing for everybody else to give them that hope that they might not have found anywhere else. Right. I think I was, um, you might have been talking on one of the podcasts, but do you know, like, did you join any groups to join other people who also had like, Facebook groups or whether or, or, you know, anything like that of people who had been through this or, you know, I think you had mentioned that like, not a lot of people have had all four.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:06:58):
Right.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:06:58):
Amputated. I'm sure that's a smaller number. I don't even know if there's a number out there, um, for that, but
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:07:03):
There, there, there I've seen quite a few. Yeah. I
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:07):
Guess.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:07:08):
Um, and, uh, there's one woman who actually, she wasn't pregnant and, um, she got sick while they were hiking or so, but, um, her and I will, will connect mm-hmm . And, um, she had all four, uh,
Page 61 of 142
limbs amputated, but she has, um, above the knee on the legs mm-hmm . Um, and then she has above the elbow on her arms.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:34):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:07:35):
And just having a joint makes it so much better.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:41):
Really.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:07:42):
Sorry.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:43):
No, it's in the details. I love it.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:07:44):
Like, because
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:45):
Tell us more
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:07:46):
Helpful. It's so helpful having this just this joint, like the elbow joint.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:50):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:07:51):
And, um, what I can do mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:07:53):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:07:53):
And, uh, and my, my shoulder. I, I am starting to feel it now. I gotta go back to Ability. KT c sorry. Ability kc, which is a fantastic
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:02):
Shout out to them. Yes. I love them
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:08:03):
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So much. I miss you all. Um, but
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:06):
Is that
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:08:07):
Physical
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:07):
Therapy or
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:08:08):
It's like, I do speech therapy, um, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and then they have like, art, um Oh, fun. Which I love. And, uh, it is like for me, uh, like these are my people.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:21):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:08:22):
Um, it's like when I'm in the hospital being around nurses, like these are, those are my people too.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:26):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:08:27):
Um, and it's so,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:28):
Such an at home feeling. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:08:29):
And people are, we're all going through something where we're trying to get better.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:34):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:08:34):
And I tell myself, people still look at me 'cause I'm like, people are probably like, it's, it's not that bad. 'cause like, look at that girl. Like she's, she's doing that. I should be working hard too. . So I try to work my ass off there. Yep.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:49):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:08:49):
Page 63 of 142
Like
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:49):
I'll show you up. Yes.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:08:51):
Just to make sure that they know, you know, you can do it.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:56):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:08:57):
What
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:08:57):
Do they have you do? Like, what do you do to be active?
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:09:00):
Uh, so one thing I really love is they will sometimes let me, um, there's one Brandon, he'll, he'll let me do vr, which I, I'm such a video game
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:09:09):
Person. Okay, good to know.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:09:11):
That's
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:09:11):
Fun.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:09:11):
And Yes, but it's been hard because I ha haven't quite mastered my setup.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:09:17):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:09:18):
Um, either way. Uh, but he'll let me do vr. It's called Light, light. Hold on. It's like light saber, but like
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:09:27):
Star Wars.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:09:27):
Yeah. Like you have Light Saer mm-hmm
Page 64 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:09:29):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:09:29):
But the name of it is different. But you try to hit these blocks and you, you feel like a Jedi. So
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:09:35):
Cool. So that's literally ke that is part of Yeah. Your activity to keep you physically
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:09:39):
Moving
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:09:40):
And strengthening.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:09:40):
It's about balance. That's fun. Then he'll put a bungee thing around my arms, and so like, I really have to work to move that. Mm-hmm . Uh, in the beginning there was a lot of, um, rolling, like figuring out how to use my hips to roll.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:09:56):
Yep.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:09:57):
And then one like magical, it was probably like the second day I, I was there, I was working with Ashley, and this is one example of where I was like, it's gonna be impossible to go from laying to sitting up. Mm hmm . Like, it had been months. Um, and I'm like, I'm, I will never be able to do this.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:10:17):
Was this like recently or was this when you were, when Bo was also learning? Uh,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:10:23):
I know, and I, to go through this, I look at him as well because I'm like, , like, let's, I'm gonna beat you over over, let's do this together buddy. Yeah. And when he does it, I'm like, gosh, if he can do it, I can do it.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:10:33):
Oh, that's so funny.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:10:34):
But, um, she just told me like, different movements and then all of a sudden I popped myself up and I started crying. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:10:41):
Because
Page 65 of 142
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:10:41):
I'm like, your achievement, I thought this was gonna be impossible. Mm-hmm . Um, and I've said it so many times.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:10:48):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:10:48):
Um, like with walking, I was like, it's gonna be impossible. Or driving. And that's what I wanna do with Ability KC hopefully. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:10:56):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:10:56):
Is start driving. 'cause that would help a lot. Uh, so
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:10:59):
Do you have prosthetics for your legs or do you just have the, the arms right now
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:11:04):
I have, so I have the arms. Um, but we're thinking of doing something a little different for the right side.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:11:10):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:11:10):
Uh, but I have a leg stubby for my left leg above the knee.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:11:16):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:11:16):
Um, and it's just like, it's so funky looking. Um, but it's like your first step literally uhhuh
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:11:24):
With,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:11:24):
Um, how you maneuver the prosthetics when you're walking.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:11:29):
So it has a foot,
Page 66 of 142
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:11:30):
It has like a foot, but it's just like, it goes all the way around my leg. Okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:11:35):
And
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:11:35):
Then, um, you increase the, um, part around your leg and the foot a little by little.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:11:43):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:11:44):
Um, and then you get to some kind of size and then you move on to the full leg. Got
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:11:47):
It. But you
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:11:48):
Need to learn first how to use your hips. 'cause it's not like you don't, knee
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:11:53):
Doesn't just come naturally. Yeah. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:11:55):
And um, so if you see people with prosthetics, you kind of can tell like they are, uh, almost going out. But it's interesting 'cause I, I would watch Bo and that's how he first started walking. It was like going outward. Yeah. Um, but that, that's another humbling thing that I told myself was beau's learning all of this for the first time. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:12:16):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:12:16):
I'm kind of doing the same thing, but I have a background a little bit Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:12:20):
Of
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:12:20):
Life. And he, but like, he has nothing to, um, think back about. Right. But he's working his butt off to again, try to roll over or sit up
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:12:29):
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And he's just exploding into tears every time He gets frustrated.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:12:31):
. Yes. And I'm like, I'm like, I understand.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:12:34):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:12:34):
,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:12:35):
I
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:12:35):
Understand the pain that like, flipping over is hard to do. Yep.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:12:39):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:12:40):
And then just sitting up. So those, I know those are like key points with raising a child, but truly it is a hard thing if they cry. Give them a break.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:12:50):
Yeah. Right. Yeah. Don't be so hard on 'em. Yeah. Yeah. That's an interesting perspective too, to be able to, to be reminded. 'cause it's so easy as parents to get so frustrated with like
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:12:59):
Absolutely.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:12:59):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:12:59):
Like where your kid is on the Yeah. Steps. Yeah. But, um, it, it is very hard and mentally, like even with this prosthetic, um, all I do, there's just two motions.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:13:12):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:13:13):
Um, in my brain, I'm telling myself to bend my wrist. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:13:17):
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How
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:13:18):
Does it work? Um, so if I've bend my wrist, even though I don't have a
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:13:22):
Wrist, it's your brain sending a signal
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:13:25):
To the muscles. That usually would be okay. Bending my wrist.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:13:29):
Yep.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:13:30):
And then I, for going to open it up, I extend my wrist. Mm-hmm . Like if you would take your hand and go backwards mm-hmm . Um, I can open it up. Mm. But if I do, like, if I extend my wrist really hard, , hold on.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:13:47):
You're like, come on.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:13:48):
I know. It's like, I promise I can do it. We can do it. Put
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:13:50):
On the spot.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:13:52):
There you
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:13:52):
Go. So there's red. Oh my gosh. Yeah. It's like an owl.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:13:55):
Yeah. The red things, the buttons for, um, locking it or, okay.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:13:59):
Different,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:14:00):
Um, movements. They were really hard for me to get. Uh, yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:14:04):
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So
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:14:04):
I'm hoping these buttons help and they, they have so far, but there's just, um, if I flex kind of everything, it'll turn to like a specialized, uh,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:14:15):
That's incredible.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:14:16):
And then I can do that again and it will do, um, like a pincher.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:14:21):
What are you using this for? You mentioned, are you doing like, get ready with me. I feel like you need to be doing some Get ready with me. I did
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:14:26):
That once, but I can do it again because I've been trying to videotape even from the beginning. It's just so crazy when I had really short hair and then, uh, the difference of how I would get ready mm-hmm . And I'm very proud of myself for being able to even put makeup on.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:14:42):
No kidding.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:14:42):
And, uh,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:14:43):
That's huge.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:14:43):
It's, um, it took like an hour to get ready and cutting that into slices. I think there's like five posts about it, and I'm like, this is getting boring for people. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:14:56):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:14:56):
But,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:14:57):
Um, you'd be surprised. I mean, people love all the little snippets, you know, so don't underestimate how people might wanna see all of it and look less, I'm
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:15:05):
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Thinking about like doing like a, a cooking thing. Like
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:15:08):
Watch
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:15:09):
Me cook. Um, I have.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:15:11):
You should. Why not?
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:15:13):
I mean, there's, and like, the, uh, adaptive devices that I have to use in order to cut. Um, or
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:15:23):
I have a question for you. Were you left or right-handed?
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:15:25):
Right.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:15:25):
Do you feel any sense of that to this day? Nope. Or did that all go away?
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:15:29):
I really have to think about which one's right and left again. Um, like a kid.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:15:32):
Mm-hmm .
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:15:33):
Uh, because with, I mean, it is hard to maneuver this. Um, but I feel like I have more strength than this arm. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:15:42):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:15:43):
Um, there's a lot of things that I would change about this, but I'm so lucky that this
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:15:50):
Was it hard to get,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:15:51):
Uh, kinda, um, it's just insurance.
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Mindy Hargesheimer (01:15:58):
Yeah. That's like a whole other discussion. Yeah. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:16:01):
Um, but, uh, people I'm working with, um, arm dynamics, they are incredible.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:16:08):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:16:09):
Um, and they're just waiting for me to call them to, you know, we'll work on any, um, anything that needs to be fixed mm-hmm . But, uh, it, it needs to be resized a lot. Um, like after getting a kidney, um, fluid and the medications I'm on just have, have changed my body a lot. Yeah. Um, but, um, with this one, I had my dad's fingerprint on it. Um, no way. Like where the electrodes are. 'cause that's what catches the muscle tension.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:16:41):
Oh my gosh.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:16:42):
Um, to make it move.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:16:44):
How did you, how did you add that on?
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:16:46):
Uh, uh, they did
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:16:47):
It a sticker.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:16:48):
Um, I don't know.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:16:49):
Yeah. Does look like it, how they did it. Oh my gosh. That's really cool,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:16:52):
Isn't it? Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:16:53):
So let's talk about the kidney transplant. Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:16:55):
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Your
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:16:56):
Brother. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:16:57):
Crazy.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:16:57):
That's incredible. So I like, when I was watching it and looking at some of the videos yesterday, it was like, oh my gosh, I'm a perfect match. Uhhuh, I don't know anything about kidneys. Yeah. You know, so there was no obvious like, oh, your sibling would definitely be able to help you because you had the same DNA Right. Or similar DNA or something like. Right. What was that process like? And you knew from day one that you were gonna have to have a kidney transplant or no?
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:17:21):
Yes.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:17:21):
Okay. Like
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:17:22):
Early on. And then I was like, I'm gonna make sure my siblings don't do it. Like that is
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:17:26):
Oh, really? The
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:17:27):
Bottom line. I'm not gonna have them do it. Um, things changed. And of course I've, I'm o negative, which mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:17:35):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:17:35):
Puts me in a very small category from I only can get o negative.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:17:39):
Sure. Add it to the list, right? Mm-hmm . Mm-hmm . Oh
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:17:41):
My gosh. And that's that I'm always expecting the worst for anything. Mm-hmm . But, uh, they also told me that there is some other genetic, um, it wasn't an issue, but having babies of different blood types,
Page 73 of 142
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:17:56):
Uhhuh
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:17:57):
Will cause you to, um, build antibodies, um, against the blood types. But,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:18:05):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:18:06):
It just, I had, I can't, I can't think about, and this is sad because I am a nurse and I should know this, but like,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:18:13):
You know, I'm more than I do already. I, yeah. So
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:18:15):
It's something with the antibodies, they just kept saying that to me, like I mm-hmm . I had a lot of antibodies. Um, and then that would impact who would be a candidate. My good friend Kristen. Mm-hmm . I love you. Kristen . Uh, 'cause she was like, I'm doing it. I'm ready to go. She wasn't a match for me, but she was gonna do the paired exchange mm-hmm . Um, which that also is an incredible thing. What
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:18:39):
Is it?
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:18:39):
Um, so it's like a paired exchange program where let's, like for me, I had like a group of people who wanted to donate for me.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:18:47):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:18:48):
But a lot of them didn't match mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:18:50):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:18:50):
And so what you do is you're like, okay, well I have a BAB negative or whatever mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:18:56):
. Um,
Page 74 of 142
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:18:57):
Put them out there and someone similar in similar situation who needs kidney.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:19:03):
Oh.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:19:04):
And they're like team of people around
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:19:06):
'em. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:19:06):
Don't match. But they match my ab negative person. Yep. And then, so with that said, somehow on, somehow I get a kidney through that. Like, if you
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:19:21):
Find
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:19:21):
A match that way,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:19:23):
If you couldn't find a match and they had a match, they could
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:19:26):
Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:19:26):
It's almost like trading.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:19:28):
Yes. Yeah. But like, you could trade, I think, um, the transplant team at ku, they had like 10 in a row. Mm.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:19:36):
And
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:19:36):
I think it took two days, but, um, it was a whole chain of people and so many people got a kidney because of that.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:19:44):
Wow.
Page 75 of 142
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:19:44):
Um, and that's what I like. I know it's a lot to think about donating an organ mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:19:50):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:19:51):
But people survive. Like my brother is doing just fine. But I, I really wanna put out there, you should think about donating your kidney.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:20:02):
Okay.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:20:02):
Uh, and it will be so helpful. Um, I mean, we have two.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:20:07):
'cause we Yeah. I was like, we don't need two. Right.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:20:10):
Right. Uh, and yeah,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:20:11):
This is really crazy. I had, um, I don't know if you're familiar with the nonprofit Gift of Life, but they came on the podcast and they are, long story short, um, an organ donation Yes. Nonprofit, because their son needed a liver or kidney, one of the two, I think it was liver. Um, and he ended up getting it. He was like 11 months old. But anyway, I was asking him, I'm like, can I just, what organs can I donate? Mm hmm . Just because, you know, and they're like, well technically you could donate a lung. I was like, what? Yeah. You know, it's like the things that we don't know about that you could, you could donate a kidney Yeah. To help somebody out, to pay it forward to save a life because you technically don't need it. So that's really interesting.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:20:46):
Another thing is, if you've donated an organ, and let's say you need that organ back, like if you donated to kidney and then get kidney disease, um, you're at the top of the
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:20:56):
List, you'll be first in line. Yeah. Yeah. It's
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:20:57):
Great.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:20:58):
Interesting. That's good. Um, this is kind of a random, oh, we'll go back to your brother. I wanna hear more about that. Is there anything else you wanna share about him? Like, what was that process like?
Page 76 of 142
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:21:05):
So when he,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:21:06):
I mean, what a, I
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:21:08):
Didn't think any of my siblings matched. Um, yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:21:11):
Because
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:21:11):
From what I was told at that point, like no one was showing that things were good. But I didn't know George had like two more things to do. Mm-hmm .
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:21:20):
Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:21:21):
I was just so distraught when, when I learned my sister wasn't a match. 'cause I was like, for sure it would be her. I don't know why.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:21:26):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:21:27):
But, um, she, the, the specific genetic, 'cause there's so many lists of, um, genes and the ones that they really look for are like 10 of 'em. And it comes down to like a decimal point of, of having a match.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:21:47):
Wow.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:21:48):
Um, what did they tell me? They had, they told me I had only like a 20%, 25% chance of even finding a donor. Really
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:21:57):
Great.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:21:57):
Yeah. Because there's like, with antibodies and then o negative mm-hmm . There's always something mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:22:02):
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.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:22:02):
But, um, my brother was actually in town. He left on February 4th. On February 5th, he gets a phone call saying you're a match. And he's just like stunned. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:22:15):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:22:16):
Uh, and, um, like he was just, I think,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:22:22):
And you're really close to your brother.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:22:24):
Oh yeah. Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:22:25):
I would imagine with any
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:22:26):
Of my siblings and
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:22:27):
Yeah. You have such a, it seems like you have such a great sweet family dynamic. Well,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:22:31):
Now we say that we're twins because Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:22:33):
There you go. That's perfect. Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:22:35):
Which is not necessarily true, but, uh, it
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:22:38):
Was, you can make it true.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:22:39):
So interesting because on February 6th with my birthday,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:22:44):
And
Page 78 of 142
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:22:44):
My mom was like, everyone has to come over. And I had just got done with rehab and I'm like, I'm so tired, can I just not be not Yeah.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:22:50):
And
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:22:51):
She's like, no, we're doing this. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:22:53):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:22:53):
She, and then she's like, we're doing it for your kids to see, and so you blow out the candles and everything. I'm like, fine. , you bring the kids into it. It, then it's like, yeah, I have to do it. Guilt
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:23:00):
Trip,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:23:01):
I guess . Um, and, uh, even my sister, I guess they were on the way to like dance or something and my mom's like, no, you cancel that or Uhhuh and
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:23:11):
Then
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:23:11):
Come here just for like five minutes. Um, I didn't really think of what was going on. I thought it was odd that she was
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:23:20):
A little more urgent than Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:23:21):
Normal. A little pushy.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:23:23):
Yeah.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:23:23):
Um, and then, uh, she was like, we'll, FaceTime with your brother. And I ended up just FaceTiming him without anyone knowing. Um, and then he's like, well, I got you something. Um, but the plan for my birthday was actually to go to the casino the next day. Nice. Yeah. Yeah. Um, and, uh, they bring me to this like, lunch bag and they, I pull out a note. Um, it was very confusing at the time. It was like saying
Page 79 of 142
how this is a free, or this is a coupon for a pre used kidney. Um, but still it didn't register to me. I am like, was it clicking? Yeah. . Uh, and uh, he's like, yeah, I got a call. Like, we're a match. And then he's like, they're, you're a perfect match. And I'm like, okay, now I know it's not true 'cause doctors never use that word. Um, but they gave me the, um, results of what the genes that they are looking at. And again, it comes down to a decimal number and each of our numbers matched perfectly. Um,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:24:25):
Unbelievable.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:24:26):
Yes. And again, I think that's where my dad came in. Oh. Um, somehow I, not, not he changed our genetics, but, um, just making sure I got, I got what I needed
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:24:37):
Because you were on, um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:24:40):
Dialysis for two years.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:24:43):
Dialysis for two years. Mm-hmm . Which is probably a whole other discussion. 'cause I don't know exactly what that entails. But you had, did you have like a, a time limit on when you needed this kidney?
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:24:50):
They never told me that. Okay. Um, but in my mind, um, so there's this, uh, oh gosh, it's Barstool Yak. Mm-hmm
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:25:01):
.
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:25:01):
It's another pod, uh, podcast. But, um, Kate, she's on there and, and, um, she was telling me how they just interviewed like this. It was a football player who,
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:25:12):
Okay. Um,
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:25:13):
I don't, I don't know his name, but, uh, he was looking for a kidney too.
Mindy Hargesheimer (01:25:16):
Mm-hmm
Brie Morgan Bauer (01:25:17):