| |
Survivor Story: Karen Quirk
April 14, 2000, was a beautiful, warm and sunny day. Tomorrow was to be a bridal
shower, for our youngest daughter, Kara. Family and friends were coming; some
enroute already, from as far away as Pennsylvania. Final preparations were
wrapping up. I was out inspecting some vacant land for a potential development,
and planned to come home in the early afternoon. Karen, that morning, was
chatting on the telephone, with her dear friend Jane. Doesn't get any better
than that!
All of a sudden, Karen's end of the conversation ceased, and our
family's life changed dramatically.
Jane's first impression was that they had been cut off; but wait, she
could still hear a radio, in the background? She hustled over, found Karen
unconscious on the floor, and took immediate action. A speedy ambulance ride to
South Shore Hospital, resulted in a quick diagnosis of the severity of her
condition, and the need to move her to a Boston hospital. By the time I was
contacted by cellphone, and had arrived at the hospital shortly thereafter,
there were no decisions to be made by me, as the medical helicopter was touching
down, momentarily. Miracle # 1! Arriving family members began to realize the
revised nature of their visit!
|
|
|
|
| |
After a quick trip by air for Karen, and a wild car trip to Boston for me, our
family began our enduring relationship with MGH. Karen was diagnosed with a
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage from a ruptured Aneurysm, and immediate surgical
intervention was required. An emergency room, although well organized, is still
very confusing to patients and their families alike. However, MGH assigned us an
advocate, Linda Kane, who "took great care" of us. After various preliminary
tests, we met Dr. Eskandar. He explained to us what we faced, and it was indeed,
a shock! 50%-50%, life-death; and for those, in the surviving 50%; one third
would recover fully, one third would have a substantial impairment, and the
other third, would be institutionalized for life! At that point, we contacted a
relative in Chicago, who is a neurosurgeon, to see whom he would recommend. His
answer was Dr. Ogilvy. Before anything could be done, however, Dr. Eskandar
reported that the senior surgeon, would be Dr. Ogilvy. Miracle # 2!
After an extended surgery, which ended in the very early morning, we
moved into the Blake 12, Intensive Care Unit. Here over the next few weeks,
medical professionals like Cathy Hill, an ICU nurse, various interventional
radiologists, Dr. Ogilvy, and other neurosurgeons like Dr.Butler, and so many
others, responded to her every medical emergency. Dede Buckley, nurse
practitioner, entered the picture, and guided, counseled, and encouraged, all of
us through so many problems; right up to this very day! She introduced us to
"real" survivors, fully recovered; anecdotal tales are fine, but living proof,
is far more effective. She also introduced us to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation,
and after experiencing the informational material and programs provided, I have
been a regular participant, ever since. Miracle # 3!
Throughout this period, everyday life goes on. Close friends and family,
get sick, and some die, grandchildren are born, and daughters marry. Karen
missed all of this!
Some additional statistical "thumb rules" came to our attention.
Wherever you are, at the two year mark, is probably as good as it will get!
Murphy's Law has been in force in Karen's recuperation, from day 1! Whatever
could go wrong, invariably did! Hydrocephalus was a continuing issue, requiring
multiple shunt replacements, and revisions, each with surgery. The final
installed version can be externally adjusted, should the need arise, with
magnets. Because of the complications Karen experienced, the normal chronology,
just didn't apply! Karen's continued recovery progress, is overseen by Doctors
Ogilvy, and McDonald, and thank God, their task gets easier by the day!
We have just passed the second anniversary, after 250 days of
hospitalization. The multiple brain invasions, by Doctors Ogilvy, Butler,
Eskandar, and others, as well as the ongoing neurological care of Dr. McDonald,
and wonderful nursing care, by Cathy Hill and Dede Buckley, have made her
recovery a possibility. Also, after intensive physical, occupational, and speech
therapy, on May 26, 2002, Karen completed the First Annual, Arterial Challenge,
the Brain Aneurysm Foundation's, 1.5 mile Road Walk in Marshfield, in under
sixty minutes! Miracle # 4!
©2002 Permission Granted to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation For Use On Website and Other Print Materials
<< Back to Survivor Stories
|
|
|
|
|
