My name is Sheri and I used to work with Brandi in the Heart and Vascular Center at the University of Iowa. Brandi suffered a brain aneurysm, as well as 2 strokes on September 9, 2023. They would like to build onto their split level home because Brandi isn't able, nor will she ever be able to do steps, so they'd like to add on a bathroom, bedroom, and a laundry room to the main floor. Brandi is unable to work at this time and has applied for SSDI, as Brandi won't be able to return to work. It will be a minute before she will know if that is approved. At this point, they went from a two income household to one. If we could help this family out with their needs, I know they would greatly appreciate it! You can read her story below.

Back story: I was born with Tetralogy of Fallot. This is a congenital heart defect defined by 4 heart defects present at birth. As an infant I underwent 2 heart surgeries. One was to place a shunt and the other was an open heart to correct complete repair.

When I was 19 I had open heart again for pulmonary valve replacement.

9/9/23 –Began as any other Saturday. I was scheduled for a pulmonary valve replacement in 5 days so I was planning on enjoying the weekend. My friend Jill and I had decided to have a shopping day. I don’t have much memory of that day.

I was brought to UIHC after passing out. Brain imaging revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage caused from a brain aneurysm.

After a serious conversation with my family, I was immediately rushed into surgery where a drain was placed. However, due to my heart function dropping, the surgery had to be stopped. I was placed in ICU for a “wait and see”

9/11/24 - My family was told they couldn’t wait any longer. I was taken into my 2nd brain surgery. The surgeons were able to finally stop the bleeding by placing coils. I remained in ICU until 9/21. The few times I opened my eyes and follow commands all I could do is move my right thumb.

9/21-9/27 I was moved out of ICU and onto the neurology floor. I was able to regain movement to my extremities. I still had a feeding tube so swallowing and speaking was difficult. My memory of this period is hit and miss. It’s foggy. 9/24/23 a Chest CT revealed I had blood clots in my lungs.

On 9/27 I was transferred to the University of Iowa Rehabilitation Hospital in Coralville, IA. I had intense physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy daily. It is here where I had to learn how to stand and walk again. They had to use a mechanical lift to stand me and teach me how to walk. I was unable to bathe or dress myself. Vision in my left eye was blurry. They closely monitored my food intake. Replacing the tube feed was still a worry. Even toileting was a challenge. I had to learn how to relax again. There wasn’t a single element of my day that I didn’t have to learn again. This was the hardest period not just physically, but emotionally.

10/13 I was discharged home. One would think this would have been a happy day for me, but all I can remember is fear. This is the first time in a month that I wouldn’t be under medical care, what if this happens again?? What if I fall?? I remembered crying as we pulled away from the hospital. I slept in a hospital bed in the living room for weeks. My mom took a leave of absence from work to move in with us and take care of me.

10/16/23 till the beginning of March 2024 I continued all therapies as outpatient at On with Life in Coralville.

11/29 follow up MRI and neurology/stroke team. They found that the coils were not holding. The aneurysm had gotten bigger.

1/8/24, I was seen neuro ophthalmology for blurred vision. Found to have optic nerve swelling.

1/11/24 I had my third brain surgery. More coils and a stent were placed. I had a slight setback with my recovery.

3/26/24 pulmonary valve replacement and ICD generator change. This was 2 surgeries at once, the first was my valve replacement. This was able to be done by a transcatheter through my groin instead of open heart. This procedure was a success. They were able to place a bigger size valve than initially thought. This means if the valve fails at some point that they will be able to slip another one over it. The 2nd half of the surgery was my ICD generator change. This was somewhat of a success. The lead to the top chamber of my heart came out. This was not supposed to happen. This lead had been in place since 7/21/2002. It was decided that they would not replace this lead, I had been under long enough.

March 26 is a special date. It is not only my wedding Anniversary but marks 23 years since my last open heart/pulmonary valve replacement.

3/27/24 discharged from hospital. I am still healing from this surgery.

Today I still suffer from daily headaches. Memory issues My vision in my left eye is sometimes blurry. I still have balance, gait, and coordination issues. I walk with a walker and wear an AFO or brace on my right foot for a foot drop. My right leg is numb and tingly from my groin to the tip of my toes. I am unable to fully move my big toe. I need assistance with stairs.

I am easily confused, staying on task and multi-tasking is an issue. My emotions are heightened. I get mad and frustrated easily. Anxiety and depression are elevated.

My speech is the worst. I sound more like a 2-year-old than an adult. I have a moment where my regular voice comes out. It is so frustrating because I am the same person inside, I haven’t lost any of my personality or medical training in my head, I just have trouble getting my thoughts out.

At the beginning of March, it was decided by my therapists that it was best to take a 3 month break. This will allow me to start to use my training that they taught me in real life, remember what I am fighting for and enjoy life. The hope is that during this time, life will start to settle and my brain will relax; making my speech return more. The plan is to return to therapy at On with Life in July. I will re-evaluate my goals at time.

My mom is still with us. I am still unable to be left alone. Our house is a tri-level. Everywhere I go, there are stairs. I need assistance going up the stairs to the toilet, shower, and dress. I can’t drive so I rely on her to take me grocery shopping and run errands. The hope is to add onto our house. Bringing a bathroom, bedroom, and laundry room to the main floor. This will eliminate the need for me having to use stairs giving me more independence and allow my mom to return home.

Remi, our family dog has started training in hopes that she will be accepted into service dog training. We currently take her twice a week to a place in Mt Vernon for training.