Support Karen Fitzgerald's Brain Surgery Recovery

Hi! My name is Shannon and I am making this page on behalf of my mother, Karen Fitzgerald.

On Monday, October 7, 2024 at 7pm, Karen collapsed on her kitchen floor screaming in agony, squeezing her temples with her hands, unable to do anything other than hope she was heard. Due to the quick action of her husband, Tom, Karen was rushed to Anne Arundel Hospital where she was diagnosed with a severe brain bleed. Unable to accommodate her condition, the hospital then flew her to George Washington University Hospital for emergency surgery to drain the pressure in her brain and for her to undergo further testing. Finally, when her brain pressure was stabilized, she was transferred for a third and final time that night to Medstar Washington Hospital for another emergency brain surgery, this time to try to detect the cause of the bleed and hopefully repair the cause.

The next morning, Karen’s doctors reported that her surgeries went well and her brain pressure returned to normal, but that they could not detect (and therefore repair) any abnormalities. Because of this, she will need to remain in the ICU for at least two weeks for further testing and monitoring. As of Wednesday, October 9th, we are still waiting for Karen to regain consciousness. The situation is very touch-and-go, but we are optimistic that Karen will have a lengthy, yet full, recovery.

During this time, Karen will be unable to fulfill her duties as a dedicated hospice nurse and interim manager at Hospice of the Chesapeake and will incur an unknown amount of medical debt beyond what her insurance can cover. Due to the delicate nature of her condition, she will require Tom’s constant attention, which will undoubtedly impact the small business he runs in Baltimore County.

For those who have not been blessed with knowing one of a select group of "Awesome Karens" in this world, specifically the most awesome, let me tell you a little about my mother: Karen is a 59 year-old mother of four (though in my mind, and outwardly presenting, she hasn't aged past 40), grandmother of 3.5, wife of 36 years and nurse of 27 years. She grew up in PG County, unknowingly down the street from her future husband. They eventually met when she was in her late teens, where they both worked summers at While Hall Pool. While raking the leaves in the spring of 1982, preparing for the upcoming pool season, Tom noticed his leaf bin was getting too full to continue raking, and also that the adorable, petite, easily-liftable Karen was within arms reach and seemed fitting for the job. Next thing she knew, Tom had lifted her into the air and dropped her in the can feet-first to push down the leaves without a word and continued on raking. 36 years later, 4 kids and 3.5 grandkids (not including all the grandpets), they are still happily married and still planning their futures together. Karen is now a full-time team lead and interim manager at Hospice of the Chesapeake where Karen lives up to her infamous name by asking for the manager--and BECOMING the manager if one doesn't respond appropriately--for those who cannot ask for one themselves.

Karen would be absolutely mortified to know that I have created this page and that I am asking for help on her behalf, but with the estimated time of hospitalization and time out-of-work, without factoring in the possibility for complications (fingers-crossed), is more than what her insurance will cover and I want to make sure that this does not impact her and Tom's lives any more than it already has.

We also know that so many people whose lives she has touched would like to help, and unfortunately there is not much that can be done (unless you're like a neurosurgeon). Tom and Karen had like half a football team of children, some now with children, so we are all taking shifts staying with Karen at the hospital and making sure Tom eats, showers, and that his self-owned and self-operated, built-from-literally-nothing small business is still running smoothly, but we wanted to provide this outlet to those who are interested in helping cover some of the out-of-pocket expenses of Karen's in-hospital/post-hospital/out-of-work expenses and/or help make sure Tom has a steady train of microwave meals.

Your kind words and thoughts are enough, but again, we just wanted to provide this outlet for those who felt compelled to donate. Thank you again, I will keep this updated as her condition progresses and I will update this with lots of photos as well once I have access to my computer at home!

Please share memories of Karen and other messages to keep her spirits lifted. Thank you!