Mama Oh's Emergency Brain Surgery

On August 16th, my mom was taken to the ER for a sudden onset severe headache and rushed to CT which revealed a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) on the left side of her brain.

[SAH is a life-threatening type of stroke caused by bleeding into the space surrounding the brain. It is only believed to affect 6 or 7 in every 100,000 people globally, per year. SAH can be caused by a ruptured aneurysm, AVM, or head injury. 1/3 of patients die, 1/3 survive with a disability and only 1/3 survive with good recovery. Treatment focuses on stopping the bleeding and restoring normal blood flow, but even when treatment is optimal, neurologic damage is common.]

They immediately transferred her to INOVA Fairfax Hospital. After further testing, they detected 3 brain aneurysms and suspected one had ruptured. Given the location of the aneurysm and the large amount of bleeding she had had, they took her for emergent brain surgery the next day. They made a 7-inch incision from her left forehead down to her left ear in order to remove a portion of her skull to locate the bleeding and clipped the ruptured aneurysm. Following surgery, they monitored her closely in the ICU due to the high risk of re-bleeding, stroke, vasospasms, seizures, hydrocephalus, and many other complications. 

 

She spent 2 weeks in the ICU and another week in the IMCU, neuro floor and stroke unit. She was discharged on September 3rd and is currently in rehab. They say it’ll take several months before she reaches full recovery. The process is slow and very painful. Some days are harder than others but we take it day by day.

 

She works diligently to increase her strength, endurance and balance, with the help of her physical therapist, occupational therapist and nurse. They say that her recovery is a miracle and that she is unlike any patient they have ever seen.

Given the magnitude of what she is facing, we were encouraged to receive the gifts that you have been waiting to give. Your contributions will cover her medical expenses including her emergency brain surgery, hospitalization, labs, imaging, medications, medical equipment, physical therapy, occupational therapy and skilled nursing services. With your support, my family and I are able to help her focus on her recovery. We are extremely grateful to you - family, friends, friends of friends and those we have yet to know. Thank you ❤️

Sincerely, the Oh’s

 

>> Note: if you choose to give through this GoFundMe page, there is a transaction fee subtracted from your donations.

 

Alternatively, you can give through:
- Venmo:  @For-Mimi-Oh (last 4 digits of phone number 4770)

- Cash app:  $ForMimiOh

- PayPal:  https://paypal.me/formimioh

- Zelle:  703  474  4780

- Checks:  ask how!

***We will periodically update the campaign with offline donations.

If you are not able to donate, do not be discouraged. Share this story with your family, friends and networks.