Janel Whiting Recovery
Donation protected
February 19th // As Janel was preparing to move to Kansas City, MO with the 4 kids, she suffered a debilitating headache at 5pm, by 11:30pm, she was in brain surgery. She was 6 months pregnant.
She suffered a massive brain bleed that caused a hemorrhagic stroke. This was caused by a an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) which is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain. The cause of AVMs is unclear. Brain AVMs are rare and affect less than 1% of the population. What makes Janel's case even more rare is that she was 6 months pregnant at the time. She was attended to by a nuerosurgical team, as well as a team of OB specialists for days while in the NCCU. The baby did great.......we found out its a boy.......his name is William.
During the surgery, the left side of her skull was removed to allow room for the brain swell.
Janel spent 1 week in nuero critical care, 1 week on a surgical floor and 1 week in an intensive rehab unit. She came home to her parents house (who are now her primary caregivers) on March 14th. She is taking part in speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
She is mobile and sufficient in her self care but due to her brain injury she lacks reason, judgement, has the inability to speak what she means properly, and it has affected the decision making portion in her brain. Therefore she isn’t capable of taking full care of her kids. She needs 24/7 care. Because she is mobile and can do the normal every day things like showering, dressing, etc., she doesn't qualify for any type of in home care from outside resources.
Janel has 2 additional surgeries coming up....the first one will be to re-attach the skull, after all her brain swelling goes down, which hasn't happened yet. The second surgery is a c-section for William's birth. It's not feasible, or safe for Janel to have a natural childbirth.
Janel and her family need long term care. The extended family has thrown themselves in the mix taking care of the children and have turned a crisis into a ‘new normal’ for their lives. Janel's dad is a 100% disabled veteran and her mom has a business, but has had to put the business on hold indefinitely. They financially support the kids as well as Janel & her husband and continuing to create a normal childhood for Janel’s children during this crisis.
The kiddos are:
Selah -9yrs old
Elijah - 5yrs old
Andrew - 3yrs old
Benjamin - 20 Months
William - On the way
As the family financial status has been altered due to this life change, there is a big need for monetary help. The money that is raised will go towards… everyday housing expenses that have now increased due to more people living in the house (a new bedroom was already created in the house....new wall, door, etc)
babysitting, respite care, In home care (insurance doesn’t cover it), food, transport, medical bills that aren't covered by insurance, etc
The money that is not used during this time will be saved in order to help Janel and her family get back on their feet as they figure out their ‘new normal’.
She suffered a massive brain bleed that caused a hemorrhagic stroke. This was caused by a an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) which is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins in the brain. The cause of AVMs is unclear. Brain AVMs are rare and affect less than 1% of the population. What makes Janel's case even more rare is that she was 6 months pregnant at the time. She was attended to by a nuerosurgical team, as well as a team of OB specialists for days while in the NCCU. The baby did great.......we found out its a boy.......his name is William.
During the surgery, the left side of her skull was removed to allow room for the brain swell.
Janel spent 1 week in nuero critical care, 1 week on a surgical floor and 1 week in an intensive rehab unit. She came home to her parents house (who are now her primary caregivers) on March 14th. She is taking part in speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
She is mobile and sufficient in her self care but due to her brain injury she lacks reason, judgement, has the inability to speak what she means properly, and it has affected the decision making portion in her brain. Therefore she isn’t capable of taking full care of her kids. She needs 24/7 care. Because she is mobile and can do the normal every day things like showering, dressing, etc., she doesn't qualify for any type of in home care from outside resources.
Janel has 2 additional surgeries coming up....the first one will be to re-attach the skull, after all her brain swelling goes down, which hasn't happened yet. The second surgery is a c-section for William's birth. It's not feasible, or safe for Janel to have a natural childbirth.
Janel and her family need long term care. The extended family has thrown themselves in the mix taking care of the children and have turned a crisis into a ‘new normal’ for their lives. Janel's dad is a 100% disabled veteran and her mom has a business, but has had to put the business on hold indefinitely. They financially support the kids as well as Janel & her husband and continuing to create a normal childhood for Janel’s children during this crisis.
The kiddos are:
Selah -9yrs old
Elijah - 5yrs old
Andrew - 3yrs old
Benjamin - 20 Months
William - On the way
As the family financial status has been altered due to this life change, there is a big need for monetary help. The money that is raised will go towards… everyday housing expenses that have now increased due to more people living in the house (a new bedroom was already created in the house....new wall, door, etc)
babysitting, respite care, In home care (insurance doesn’t cover it), food, transport, medical bills that aren't covered by insurance, etc
The money that is not used during this time will be saved in order to help Janel and her family get back on their feet as they figure out their ‘new normal’.
Organizer
Jenna Quintana
Organizer
Gladstone, OR
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