Amanda Conner's Recovery (#AmandaStrong)
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Thank you for your continued support of Amanda's journey! She is making great strides and we are all amazed at what she has accomplished so far. She continues to improve and only time will tell what her ultimate recovery will be. The doctors and specialists are astounded at her progress thus far, each time she goes for a check up they tell her that she is doing better than they thought she would and can see differences since her last appointment.
Since her stroke in January, Amanda has undergone countless surgeries and procedures. Next up - She is scheduled to get Botox injections at Shirley Ryan Chicago in her right arm to try an release the tone that is keeping it from moving. She has a unit called Bioness H200 that is used daily to try to "wake up" her arm. It also helps with muscle memory type functions. This unit has proven statistics to help with this, but no timeframe was given on when to expect anything. Amanda has another surgery scheduled for mid November on her ankle and foot. They will be removing her Achilles Tendon from the back of her ankle and stretching it around to the front and drilling it into the top of her foot; they will also be fusing some of the smaller bones together in her foot to make it more rigid. With this procedure, the Orthopedic Specialist at Northwestern is confident that she will not need to wear the A.F.O.(brace) to get around the house or for short distances.
These last 8 month's have been challenging to say the least, but with the love and support of all of you Amanda and her family and loved ones have stayed positive and motivated each and everyday to continue on her road to recovery. Check out this video on Facebook to see the strides this unbelievable women has made! Nice Try Stroke I am Still Here
*Never give up hope.
*Love the people around you
*Remember to be always be kind to one another as tomorrow is not promised to anyone.
The Original Story of Amanda's Start to 2020:
You may already be aware of the tragedy that hit the Conner Family on Wednesday, January 29th when Amanda Conner nee Brown suffered a massive stroke, changing her and her family's lives forever.
Since the stroke, Amanda has undergone three surgeries. The first was to remove a blockage in her carotid artery and to repair the carotid dissection, which means the lining of the artery tore and created a flap closing the artery and not allowing blood and oxygen to her brain. This dissection lead to the stroke which caused permanent damage, the extent of which is unknown at this time. The second surgery was to remove a portion of her skull to relieve the swelling of her brain. The portion of the skull that was removed is hopefully going to be put back in place between 3 and 6 months from now when the swelling subsides. The third surgery was to put a tracheotomy in for breathing as well as a G-tube for feeding. The doctors felt that removing the oral breathing and feeding tubes and putting a trach in would help get her into physical therapy faster which ultimately will help with overall healing. They are confident that neither the tracheotomy or the G-tube will be long lasting.
Amanda has already started to show promising and hopeful signs toward recovery despite the brain damage caused by the stroke, however she still has a very long road ahead of her. While she is not yet aware of what is going on, or able to swallow, talk, or walk, she has been breathing on her own through the trach and is no longer on any IVs or medication. After nearly a two week stay in the ICU at Northwestern Memorial Hospital she has been moved to an observation floor temporarily. The doctors plan to transfer her to the nationally ranked Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly RIC) as soon as possible so she may begin an extensive therapy program.
From all of Amanda's love ones, THANK YOU to everyone who has called, texted, prayed, or sent positive thoughts her way. The support pouring in sure seems to be working as we continue to see her make some positive strides.
In addition to the prayers and good vibes, any monetary support you can offer is more than appreciated. Medical expenses are adding up day by day as are travel costs with Amanda's husband Matt traveling back and forth from Cedar Lake, Indiana to Chicago, IL to share his time between being with Amanda and their three year old son Grayson.
Again, thank you for your support! We know Amanda is a fighter and her unbelievably remarkable strength will help her to overcome this setback just as she has with complications in the past. #AmandaStrong
Since her stroke in January, Amanda has undergone countless surgeries and procedures. Next up - She is scheduled to get Botox injections at Shirley Ryan Chicago in her right arm to try an release the tone that is keeping it from moving. She has a unit called Bioness H200 that is used daily to try to "wake up" her arm. It also helps with muscle memory type functions. This unit has proven statistics to help with this, but no timeframe was given on when to expect anything. Amanda has another surgery scheduled for mid November on her ankle and foot. They will be removing her Achilles Tendon from the back of her ankle and stretching it around to the front and drilling it into the top of her foot; they will also be fusing some of the smaller bones together in her foot to make it more rigid. With this procedure, the Orthopedic Specialist at Northwestern is confident that she will not need to wear the A.F.O.(brace) to get around the house or for short distances.
These last 8 month's have been challenging to say the least, but with the love and support of all of you Amanda and her family and loved ones have stayed positive and motivated each and everyday to continue on her road to recovery. Check out this video on Facebook to see the strides this unbelievable women has made! Nice Try Stroke I am Still Here
*Never give up hope.
*Love the people around you
*Remember to be always be kind to one another as tomorrow is not promised to anyone.
The Original Story of Amanda's Start to 2020:
You may already be aware of the tragedy that hit the Conner Family on Wednesday, January 29th when Amanda Conner nee Brown suffered a massive stroke, changing her and her family's lives forever.
Since the stroke, Amanda has undergone three surgeries. The first was to remove a blockage in her carotid artery and to repair the carotid dissection, which means the lining of the artery tore and created a flap closing the artery and not allowing blood and oxygen to her brain. This dissection lead to the stroke which caused permanent damage, the extent of which is unknown at this time. The second surgery was to remove a portion of her skull to relieve the swelling of her brain. The portion of the skull that was removed is hopefully going to be put back in place between 3 and 6 months from now when the swelling subsides. The third surgery was to put a tracheotomy in for breathing as well as a G-tube for feeding. The doctors felt that removing the oral breathing and feeding tubes and putting a trach in would help get her into physical therapy faster which ultimately will help with overall healing. They are confident that neither the tracheotomy or the G-tube will be long lasting.
Amanda has already started to show promising and hopeful signs toward recovery despite the brain damage caused by the stroke, however she still has a very long road ahead of her. While she is not yet aware of what is going on, or able to swallow, talk, or walk, she has been breathing on her own through the trach and is no longer on any IVs or medication. After nearly a two week stay in the ICU at Northwestern Memorial Hospital she has been moved to an observation floor temporarily. The doctors plan to transfer her to the nationally ranked Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly RIC) as soon as possible so she may begin an extensive therapy program.
From all of Amanda's love ones, THANK YOU to everyone who has called, texted, prayed, or sent positive thoughts her way. The support pouring in sure seems to be working as we continue to see her make some positive strides.
In addition to the prayers and good vibes, any monetary support you can offer is more than appreciated. Medical expenses are adding up day by day as are travel costs with Amanda's husband Matt traveling back and forth from Cedar Lake, Indiana to Chicago, IL to share his time between being with Amanda and their three year old son Grayson.
Again, thank you for your support! We know Amanda is a fighter and her unbelievably remarkable strength will help her to overcome this setback just as she has with complications in the past. #AmandaStrong
Organizer and beneficiary
Barbie McGee
Organizer
Chicago, IL
Matthew Conner
Beneficiary