Muriel was home recovering after knee surgery and was set to return shortly. Suddenly, she experienced a seizure—something she had never had before. After an MRI, we found out that she had a tumor larger than a lemon in the front of her brain. The news was shocking and overwhelming for our family. Her doctor performed a 12-hour surgery and said it was the biggest, most complicated tumor he had ever seen. He described the process as being like pulling a sticker off of tissue paper. Muriel was expected to come home just two or three days after the surgery, but instead, she has been in the hospital for two weeks. The first three days, she was heavily sedated and unable to open her eyes. On the fourth day, she began to make small eye contact, and by the fifth day, she could give a thumbs up. Her breathing has been the biggest challenge, and her recovery is taking much longer than anyone anticipated.

In the next few days, Muriel will be having a tracheotomy and feeding tube until she can manage to breathe on her own. She will be in the hospital for the next few months, undergoing intensive rehab for her brain, breathing, walking, and motor skills. Her job is in jeopardy because Foxwoods has not received her I.M.L.A. paperwork that she submitted two months ago, and her job is not guaranteed. After all of her rehab, she will be out for over a year.

This unexpected turn has placed a tremendous emotional and financial strain on our household. The funds raised will go directly toward covering Muriel’s mounting medical bills, the cost of rehabilitation, our living expenses, and the loss of wages during this difficult time. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help us focus on Muriel’s recovery and ease the burden on our family. We appreciate all your thoughts and prayers, and we are deeply grateful for any support you can offer.