Danny's Brain Bleed Recovery

On May 17, Danny bravely underwent a complex surgical procedure for the removal of the arteriovenous malformation in his brain. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned when he suffered a near fatal massive cerebral hemorrhage, requiring an emergency decompressive craniectomy and nearly two weeks in an induced coma in the intensive care unit. During this time it was unsure whether he would survive as he battled severe lung and blood infections. This was obviously very frightening but Danny is a true warrior and he fought his way through.

There is still a long hard road ahead in his recovery. Several months on now he still remains in hospital with life altering deficits, having lost motor function on the left side of his body. He needs to relearn how to walk and regain use of his left arm and hand, and currently requires one to one assistance. A cranioplasty is yet to be organized to replace the bone flap that was left out of his skull.

 Danny and I became engaged last year and are hoping to build a future together. It has already been challenging at times as our differing nationalities have kept us apart far too often when all we want is to be able to be together in the same country. I flew over to London from Boston for his surgery in May intending to stay for two weeks before returning home (Danny had a ticket to join me for his holiday later in the summer). My plans to go back and continue to work to save up money for our marriage had to be put on hold as Danny was still under sedation fighting for his life when my flight back to Boston departed without me.

As an American on a tourist visa, I can only stay here a limited time and am not allowed to work. Danny and I both have ongoing rent and utility bills as well as several loans to repay. I am still paying off a bill for an MRI that he needed back in the US last summer, and I would like to be able to get Danny the things that would make his situation more tolerable such as a laptop, and to apply for a marriage visa which with all fees involved can cost upwards of 5,000 GBP. London is very expensive and although I am frugal it will become increasingly difficult to remain here and travel daily to the hospital without your help. All I want is to be able to stay at Danny’s side through this. 

Please help me make life in the neurological rehabilitation unit more pleasant for the love of my life. He will not be home for a long time as he relearns to use his body and brain, and living his life in the ward can be difficult day in and day out. I am humbly reaching out to ask you to contribute what you can. If you know Danny I’m sure you love him and his kind heart, his humour, and his positive attitude. He has been so strong and an actual legend all throughout this unexpected adversity.  Anything at all would be appreciated and put to best use.

And even if you can't give, please share our page! It took Danny and I a long time to find each other, and having almost lost him, it is difficult to bear being forced to be away from him ever again. It will help us both to remain optimistic knowing so many people care as we move through some difficult days to get to a better place. Thank you so much!