Angela Basso

For those of you that are not aware, I wanted to share with you some recent health updates. Over the summer I had vertigo symptoms that were significant enough to warrant a brain scan. The results of the scan showed a brain tumor and a brain aneurysm. At this time the tumor is not of concern. The aneurysm was dangerous enough to require a procedure to fill it with coil. The coil was to be fed through an artery in my groin all the way up to the aneurysm in my brain.. The surgery took place on November 28th and I was scheduled to come home from the hospital the following day.

Early the morning of the 29th, I suffered 3 strokes. The doctors responded by giving me blood thinners. The blood thinners caused my brain to hemorrhage and the doctors had to perform a craniotomy to stop the hemorrhage. The doctor chose not to replace the bone flap in my head in case there was additional bleeding or swelling (it is currently in a freezer at Morton Plant Hospital).

As a result, I could not move my right leg or arm and lost the ability to speak. The doctors thought I would need surgery to repair my right arm and told my husband that I was looking at about 12 months to recover.

After two weeks in Clearwater at Morton Plant Hospital I gained full use of my right arm and my speech was starting to come back. I was able to get around a little bit using a walker.

I had recovered enough to be upgraded to acute inpatient rehab closer to home at Palms of Pasadena in St Petersburg.

I had therapy for 3 hours everyday with occupational, speech, and physical therapists. I regained the ability to walk without any assistance. My speech improved from a few words to sentences. On December 27th, I was finally well enough to come home.

I am still waiting to have the bone flap put back. This will require another surgery in Clearwater that will keep me overnight and I continue to work on my speech. There are times I say a different word than I mean to say. I realize this sometimes, but not always.

I am so grateful for all the prayers and well wishes from so many. It is humbling to know so many people care so much about me. Thank you.

An unfortunate result of these unexpected complications is that I have had to suspend my counseling practice. I am self employed and this was my sole source of income. Doctors don’t expect me to be able to return to work for at least 6 months.

Your prayers, cards, and texts are all encouraging and happily received. If you feel so led, I have set up a go fund me to help cover expenses until I can get back to work. There is absolutely no expectation to donate. For those that can donate, I cannot tell you how much it is appreciated.

Thank you,

Angela Basso

(with help from Tim)