Karen's Brain Needs Your Help
Donation protected
"OPEN YOUR EYES, KAREN!" is something my dad would always scream to my mom as we took family vacations to theme parks and somehow coerced her to go on a roller coaster. To be on the attraction seemed to be excitement enough for her. Little did we all know - that doctors would soon be yelling the same thing to her post a ruptured brain aneurysm surgery.
Think of the qualities of your favorite person. Funny? Humble? Thoughtful? Loyal? This is Karen.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 is when the Murphy family strapped in for the emotional roller coaster of events that would soon embrace their matriarch, everyone's favorite person, Karen.
From addressing a possible head cold, to a potential diagnosis of Bell’s Palsy and concluding at the word, unruptured Brain Aneurysm - these small steps became only the first few jolted gear stops as the roller coaster continued to climb.
A strange nervous excitement came upon the family when a step by step procedure of coiling the aneurysm was recommended by an attending neurosurgeon at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. It would take place on Friday, May 26. After the news of a successful first step and on to the second is when the seemingly bumpy ride appeared to have no scary twists in sight.
This where the family hit the peak and into the first drop - a thirty minute procedure turned into ninety which is when the surgeon frantically appeared. Hearts dropped as he addressed that at the start of the second procedure, the 2.5 cm aneurysm ruptured.
The next turn would include a brain catheter to release pressure. A vision with her new hair cut and breathing tube - she began to flutter her eyes and squeeze with her hands. The next day the twist of the coaster turned when Karen would need a craniectomy to relieve the swelling of her brain. Another twist as the following day she was put into a medical induced coma.
Instead of a jolted stop and feeling of excitement a coaster usually brings – Karen and her family are left with a long recovery ahead of her.
It has now almost been two weeks since Karen's aneurysm burst and as her doctors say; any step in the right direction is a step forward. She soon will be moving to a long term care facility rehab where the next phase of surviving a ruptured brain aneurysm continues.
A proud mother, a devoted wife of 39 years, a doting daughter, faithful sibling and loyal friend and soon to be first time grandmother - this is Karen and we want to be able to give her the quality of life she deserves to get better - as I'm sure if you met her, she would become your favorite person too.
Your donation will assist in her direct recovery, medical bills and rehabilitation. Please know your donation will allow her to open her eyes and make her recovery coaster a smoother and more tolerable ride.
A thousand times thank you.
If you're interested in learning more about brain aneurysms, survivor stories and recovery, please visit here.
Think of the qualities of your favorite person. Funny? Humble? Thoughtful? Loyal? This is Karen.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 is when the Murphy family strapped in for the emotional roller coaster of events that would soon embrace their matriarch, everyone's favorite person, Karen.
From addressing a possible head cold, to a potential diagnosis of Bell’s Palsy and concluding at the word, unruptured Brain Aneurysm - these small steps became only the first few jolted gear stops as the roller coaster continued to climb.
A strange nervous excitement came upon the family when a step by step procedure of coiling the aneurysm was recommended by an attending neurosurgeon at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. It would take place on Friday, May 26. After the news of a successful first step and on to the second is when the seemingly bumpy ride appeared to have no scary twists in sight.
This where the family hit the peak and into the first drop - a thirty minute procedure turned into ninety which is when the surgeon frantically appeared. Hearts dropped as he addressed that at the start of the second procedure, the 2.5 cm aneurysm ruptured.
The next turn would include a brain catheter to release pressure. A vision with her new hair cut and breathing tube - she began to flutter her eyes and squeeze with her hands. The next day the twist of the coaster turned when Karen would need a craniectomy to relieve the swelling of her brain. Another twist as the following day she was put into a medical induced coma.
Instead of a jolted stop and feeling of excitement a coaster usually brings – Karen and her family are left with a long recovery ahead of her.
It has now almost been two weeks since Karen's aneurysm burst and as her doctors say; any step in the right direction is a step forward. She soon will be moving to a long term care facility rehab where the next phase of surviving a ruptured brain aneurysm continues.
A proud mother, a devoted wife of 39 years, a doting daughter, faithful sibling and loyal friend and soon to be first time grandmother - this is Karen and we want to be able to give her the quality of life she deserves to get better - as I'm sure if you met her, she would become your favorite person too.
Your donation will assist in her direct recovery, medical bills and rehabilitation. Please know your donation will allow her to open her eyes and make her recovery coaster a smoother and more tolerable ride.
A thousand times thank you.
If you're interested in learning more about brain aneurysms, survivor stories and recovery, please visit here.
Organizer
Heather Lynn
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA
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