Catch up

On the afternoon of September 15th, Linda collapsed at work and was rushed to the hospital. After testing, she was found to have a burst aneurysm in her brain, and she was rushed into surgery to place a ventriculostomy, a tube to relieve the pressure in her brain, and monitor her intracranial pressure.

They also placed a central line, for long term IV access, an arterial line to monitor her blood pressure, and a tracheostomy to keep her airway open.

That first day, we were told she would not likely wake up for some time, and that, because she'd been so difficult to intubate, and had been in such bad shape when she reached the hospital, that most likely she'd pass away, or suffer severe disability because of this event. If she did wake up, it wouldn't be for weeks, or possibly months, and they said she may never regain any sort of meaningful consciousness.

Also, that first night, they noted that she hadn't moved her left side at all, and it was suspected that she had some permanent paralysis on that side.

But, by the next day, she was moving all parts of her body with some amount of purpose, and she could nod and shake her head in answer to simple questions.

The next morning, the 17th, she was far more awake, and writing notes to the family and the doctors and nurses concerning her wishes. The doctors and nurses were shocked and amazed, and we were over the moon!

That same day, she was taken into surgery to repair the burst aneurysm, and another aneurysm they'd found during an angio-CAT scan. We were told that the surgery would probably set her back a bit, since it was another insult to her brain. It added more risk to her recovery, but without it the rupture would eventually repeat and she would be in far worse shape.

The surgery was called "clipping", and would close off the aneurysms so they wouldn't be a danger any more. Dr. Mason performed it while using a tiny microscope, and it went as well as anyone could have hoped.

And, within an hour of the completion of the surgery, Linda was again awake and aware. We always knew she was strong and resourceful, but I don't think anyone knew how deep these qualities went!

Brian and Davin are Linda's sons and Alicia and I are the daughters-in-law. We plan to keep this blog running to update all of the people who are following Linda's story.

Please keep Linda in your prayers while she's on her Mindful Journey.