Care for Klaire
On Thursday 20th February, our beautiful 13 year old Klaire collapsed unexpectedly at school, the paramedics were called and she was transported to Cairns Hospital. A CT scan revealed she had a severe bleed on her brain.
Klaire and her Mother Jocelyn were immediately helicoptered from Cairns to Townsville Hospital where Neurosurgeons performed emergency surgery. A drain was inserted into her brain to relieve the pressure, fluid and blood caused from the rupture. Klaire was diagnosed with an AVM Arteriovenous Malformation, an abnormal connection between arteries and veins. 
The neurosurgeons advised that this was very rare in a child Klaires age and have been constantly consulting with other neurosurgeons in Brisbane to determine the next cause of action to take.
The drain has relieved some of the pressure and fluid on her brain but the blood remains and there is a risk of this clotting and causing another build up of fluid and pressure. The surgeons have advised that without further surgery and or radiation there is a risk of this rupturing again in the next 12 -24 months.
Right now their priority is just to keep her stable and manage her pain.
Klaire spent 2 weeks in ICU at Townsville Hospital along with her parents and younger siblings under constant supervision of neurosurgeons, doctors and ICU nurses. She has now been moved to a private room in the childrens ward as it is important that she have very little stimulation as possible.
Klaires doctors have advised that she will need to be flown to Brisbane for further tests to ascertain what treatment will be the best option as she will require further treatment to remove the AVM which has been found to be deep in her brain. At the moment the surgeons are considering open brain surgery or long term radiation, both have their pros and cons.
Surgeons advised that Klaire will then require long term recovery and rehabilitation and that the recovery and healing from this trauma is "a marathon, not a sprint" each day will determine the extent of her recovery.
This means that her parents will be away from work while caring for Klaire and it is unknown how many months / years in Brisbane it could take for a full recovery and rehabilitation. She is already accessing the services of speech pathologists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
We are not sure what the next few months hold for Klaire, but right the support needed is financial while Matt and Jocelyn work out living arrangements, work and school for Kimmy and Ryan.
Any fundraising received will assist the family with medical bills, school fees and living expenses while they are away from home.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 
