Donation protected
It was about 4pm on Tuesday afternoon when I got a call from St. Joe's Hospital in Bellingham to let me know that my Mom was being loaded onto a helicopter and would be airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. She had suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage (brain aneurysm) - a life-threatening type of stroke caused by bleeding into the space surrounding the brain.
During her first emergency surgery they inserted a shunt in her head to allow blood and spinal fluid to drain. This shunt will remain in place during her time in the ICU and will be one of the indicators that tells us if she's progressing and healing as hoped. The next morning she had a second surgery where they inserted a coil in the vessel of her brain at the rupture site - this coil should prevent the aneurysm from leaking or bursting again in the future. While they were operating they did locate two other smaller aneurysms; the doctor wants to monitor these closely for growth as her brain continues to drain.
She has been very tired and in quite a bit of pain in the days following surgery, which is to be expected. The MRI showed that the coil they inserted was fully successful in sealing the larger aneurysm. We've started neurological assessments to ensure she can still read/write/speak properly and will work on physical therapy next. They are going to keep her in the ICU for at least two weeks to continue monitoring and will move her to the ACU (acute care unit) once her drainage and pain are under control.
The doctors are very hopeful but she has a long road ahead of her. So many of you have been asking how you can help so I've started this campaign. Needless to say she will be running up quite the tab at the hospital. We are also anticipating a decent amount of post care and follow up visits, continued screenings and home adjustments once she's out of the hospital. These funds could help cover associated costs as well as outside food/other items to make her most comfortable during her time here.
I sincerely appreciate the outpouring of love and support we've received since being here and will do my best to keep everyone up to speed on her progress.
During her first emergency surgery they inserted a shunt in her head to allow blood and spinal fluid to drain. This shunt will remain in place during her time in the ICU and will be one of the indicators that tells us if she's progressing and healing as hoped. The next morning she had a second surgery where they inserted a coil in the vessel of her brain at the rupture site - this coil should prevent the aneurysm from leaking or bursting again in the future. While they were operating they did locate two other smaller aneurysms; the doctor wants to monitor these closely for growth as her brain continues to drain.
She has been very tired and in quite a bit of pain in the days following surgery, which is to be expected. The MRI showed that the coil they inserted was fully successful in sealing the larger aneurysm. We've started neurological assessments to ensure she can still read/write/speak properly and will work on physical therapy next. They are going to keep her in the ICU for at least two weeks to continue monitoring and will move her to the ACU (acute care unit) once her drainage and pain are under control.
The doctors are very hopeful but she has a long road ahead of her. So many of you have been asking how you can help so I've started this campaign. Needless to say she will be running up quite the tab at the hospital. We are also anticipating a decent amount of post care and follow up visits, continued screenings and home adjustments once she's out of the hospital. These funds could help cover associated costs as well as outside food/other items to make her most comfortable during her time here.
I sincerely appreciate the outpouring of love and support we've received since being here and will do my best to keep everyone up to speed on her progress.
Organizer
Kira McAfee
Organizer
Bellingham, WA