Help Geraldine Recover Post Brain Aneurysm

As many of you already know, my beautiful wife, Geraldine, recently suffered what her doctors called a catastrophic ruptured brain aneurysm.

It was a cold day in January and Ghe (as those closest to her call her) was caring for two of her favourite little people. And then the worst headache imaginable, before her knees buckled beneath her, sending her crashing to the ground, unable to speak or yell for help, and left at the mercy of two small children. By some miracle, a family member - an adult family member - found her and called 911. The severe bleeding in her brain caused multiple seizures before the ambulance was able to rush her to the hospital. The doctors explained that the rupture of the artery in Ghe’s brain led to an extreme amount of bleeding in her brain; an event that most do not survive. She was rushed immediately to the Montreal Neurological Institute to stop the hemorrhage and eventually drain as much of the blood as they could.

Ghe has been fighting for her life and what a fight it has been.

She spent the following two weeks in intensive care, under constant close supervision. The doctors tell us that even with the hemorrhage under control, the weeks following a ruptured brain aneurysm pose even more risk to survival as the brain continues to experience trauma as it deals with the excess blood. By some miracle she has improved little by little, beginning to claw her way back and onto the very long road to recovery, in whatever form that takes shape. Her miracle continues and I firmly believe that she - we - were given a second chance. But she can't do it alone and this road is not only long, it's bumpy and windy and one her team of neurologists say will have many hurdles. She is facing months of hospitalization and likely years of out-patient rehabilitation care. We are to expect the unexpected. Take it one day at a time.

Ghe is unquestionably one of the most generous souls to ever walk this earth.

She carries the weight of the world on her shoulders, working 80+ hours each and every week, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Her reason for doing so? To support her family and children who live in the Philippines and to give charitably to those whose struggle is greater and needs more profound. Ghe was blessed with two boys of her own, one of whom is autistic and who requires around the clock care and support for independent living. That care has been contingent on financial support from his mother.

We don't know what lies ahead for Ghe or the extent of care she will need in the ensuing months. And despite all that she is facing, what plagues her most, what would plague any parent most, is her concern for the well-being of her children. Our financial present and future so uncertain.

And while it pains us to ask, we would be ever so grateful for any contribution, no matter how small, that you could make. To help ease the grief of this moment and keep us focused on getting Ghe back on her feet and living out this second chance. We are eternally grateful for your healing thoughts and prayers.

With gratitude,

William