Bringing Margo Home

On November 5th, 2017 Margo, our beautiful vibrant, talented and kind sister, mother, friend and soulmate, suffered from a burst aneurysm in her brain.  She survived miraculously, but a few days later was hit by a massive stroke due to the aneurysm. Again, she miraculously survived against the odds, because that's what Margo does. She is a fighter, like her mom before her... she learned from the best. 

Her brain was under pressure from the fluids in her skull that were not draining properly and were causing her to slip in and out of consciousness and the ICP (intracranial pressure) to skyrocket causing further damage to her brain.  They had to remove part of her skull, and wait to see if it would eventually fix itself, but it didn't, so she had to have a permanent shunt placed in her head to help her drain fluids off her brain.

She was left paralyzed on her left side and overall endured 5 major brain surgeries.  For months she was in ICU acute care and then rehab at the Foothills Medical Centre. In April, Margo moved (much to her chagrin) to the Halvar Johnson Centre for Brain Injury in Ponoka. If asked she'll say she hates the place, but at the end of the day I know she would admit that the strides she's made there are huge. Every day we see the Margo we know, fighting to return to herself. 

That said, she has decided to return to Calgary and continue her road to recovery in the safety and warmth of her own home where she can be with her amazing partner Sean. We are trying to prepare the house for her return, but there is a lot to be done and only so much funding. We know that it will be a hard enough journey to recovery as it is, that we want to make her home as safe and accessible as possible. We need a ramp built up to the house for her wheelchair and we need to ensure that all doorways are wheelchair accessible.  There are many big and expensive modifications that need to be done in the house to the bathroom,  kitchen and bedroom. 

It has been a very long year, and Margo has been without an income for that entire time. Sean has only been able to work part-time as he spends every other minute he can caring for Margo, trying to get the house ready and generally just being Superman. :) They are at the end of their savings and the funding for doing what needs to be done to the house is limited. We would like to raise money to help alleviate the emotional, mental and financial stress and worries for her and Sean. We want to make sure that Margo has all the tools necessary for her recovery and for her healing and emotional wellbeing. 

Every day we are grateful for how blessed we are to be in Canada, because of the medical care that Margo has received which saved her life and allowed her to start her road to recovery.  However, her journey is just beginning. She has a long road ahead and we are not sure when she will be able to work again.

We are a fiercely independent bunch, and it's hard to reach out for help, but have come to a point where we are unable to deny that we definitely need support. Margo means the world to so many people. She has dedicated her life to helping others through her practice as a natural nutritionist and breast health consultant. She is one of those people who will help others and always be there for you, often forgetting about her own needs. She is selfless, kind and has been a rock for many. Please feel free to share this link with others you think would want to help and know that we would be so appreciative for any support or contribution, to bring Margo home.

Love and gratitude, 
Wendi 
(Margo's little sister)