The Barsalou Family

My name is Charles Powell, and I am a colleague of Donovan Barsalou,

(I have included an update from the Barsalou family below my "introduction.")

As some of you may already know, Donovan’s family faced a serious medical emergency late last month involving his 8-year-old daughter, Lauryn in which she had to go in for emergency brain surgery in the Calgary Children's Hospital. This situation has been both emotionally and financially challenging for their family. Currently, both Donovan and his wife, Rachel, have had to step away from work to focus on Lauryn’s care. While Donovan’s return to work is uncertain, Rachel will need to return soon, as her workplace does not provide unemployment benefits.

During this difficult time, I wanted to reach out in the hope that we can come together as a community to support this young family. Our assistance could make a significant difference in helping them navigate the challenges ahead, including ensuring Lauryn gets to her upcoming medical appointments and rehabilitation sessions. Additionally, easing some of their financial burdens could provide them with much-needed relief, especially during a time of year that is already difficult for many.

Your kindness and support could have a lasting impact on this family’s journey to recovery. Thank you for considering how you might be able to help.

Warm regards,

Charles Powell

"Lauryn had about 4 occasions where she was laughing and playing with her sister when she would suddenly get an extreme headache and neck pain which induced vomitting. Lauryn would have these episodes of illness for about 12 hours and then just as fast as she felt ill, she would jump up from a nap and “be all better.”

On Sunday Nov 24 she was not bouncing back from the current episode and we decided to take her to the doctor who encouraged us to take her to the emergency. He was concerned with her headache and she could not keep anything down to be able to give her some pain relief.

We were very fortunate to be seen immediately at the RDRH. Within 4 hours of arriving we were getting sent for an MRI because the doctor thought she was presenting with meningitis. Our ER doctor informed us that Lauryn had a lesion on her brain and would need to be transported to the Children’s hospital immediately. We are arrived there late Sunday night and were told that the lesion was a tumour and needed surgery in the next week but we were to get a second and more defined MRI on Monday afternoon. By Tuesday late morning we had a neurosurgeon meet with us to give us her plan.

Lauryn did not have a tumour in her brain she had a Vascular Cavernoma. This is a pocket of swollen vein deep inside the right side of her brain. It's walls were thin and at risk of rupturing which could result in catastrophic bleeding, stroke, and gross or fine motor deficits.

Surgery was to take place Nov 27 at 7:30am and to take the better part of the day. Our surgeon came to update us at 12:35 that Lauryn’s surgery was a success and that no deficits were apparent. She was now awake and moving all her limbs and asking for her parents. The days to follow she showed such bravery and resilience in her healing. She has shown such amazing healing that the doctors have sent us home to continue the healing journey.

Lauryn is currently preparing to ease back into school about an hour a day but will need support with her. Donovan will be at home to help support her in her reintegration process though Rachel does not have EI resources with her work and must return.

The family is striving to return to normal throughout the next 8 weeks but are facing financial challenges of being off work for so long and needing to continue leave to support Lauryn. Lauryn is a true hero and healing so fast and so wonderful after her brain surgery but she does fatigue quickly and will need time to continue healing at such a quick rate. She will revisit the children’s hospital around mid January for a follow up and see various therapies in the mean time."