Help Mike Recover from Brain Surgery
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My parents are the most generous, kind, and loving human beings I have ever met. Giving and giving without any expectations for return. They have been generous with not just their finances, but with their time, resources, and even their home - housing a dozen or so folks throughout their marriage. So here I am, coming to you, as one of their 4 children, knowing they would never ask you themselves, to consider supporting and giving back to my parents who have selflessly given to others for their entire lives.
Whatever you are willing to give, is beyond expected and appreciated.
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On November 27, 2023, my dad, Mike Wilson, suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and a subsequent grand mal seizure caused by a dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), an abnormal connection between his optical artery and a vein in the tough covering over his brain (dura mater). Or simply put, a brain bleed in his left frontal lobe.
In typical Mike fashion (dramatic), his was one the neurosurgeon had never seen - the connection (veins) were quite literally in his bone. After many tests, my dad underwent TWO craniotomies in 48 hours to remove this fistula or "bad connection". Due to the complexity of the two operations, dad was forced on bed rest while recovering. Again, in dramatic fashion, due to a genetic blood clotting disorder, dad developed seven blood clots throughout his body. One in his brain, two deep vein blood clots in his legs, two superficial clots in his arms and two in his lungs (pulmonary embolisms). This forced them to rush him into the ICU and onto an IV blood thinner. Being that he was recovering from a brain bleed, yet had to be treated for serious clots, we were between a rock and hard place for 48 hours - constantly looking for signs of another brain bleed while watching for signs of bigger clots forming. After a successful two day regiment of 4 hour blood draws and neuro exams, he was deemed safe enough to come off of the IV and given blood thinner shots. At this point, he had been in the hospital for 15 days (12 in the ICU). After three more days of observation, and a total of 18 days in the hospital, he was deemed safe to come home. A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE.
For the next two months, he underwent rigorous and consistent PT, OT and Nuerotherapy to rewire the neurotransmitters that were manipulated during the operations.
Before all of this happened, in August of 2023, they planned a trip to Hawaii for February to celebrate their 40th anniversary (a bucket list vacation for the two of them). Dad was recovering so well, that on the last day that they could cancel the trip without penalty, he was cleared to go.
After 5 magnificent days in paradise, dad began to notice a runny nose, not uncommon for someone with allergies and poor sinuses. However, this seemed different - watery and constantly dripping. After alerting my mom to the peculiarity of the post-nasal drip, they thought it best to be seen as a precaution by a HI doctor. After a CT scan on the beautiful island of Kauai, it was discovered the runny nose was a cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leak, and he was given the news that he had developed pneumocephalus, or air in the cranial cavity and they were forced to book the next flight home.
Once back in PDX, his daughter and son-in-law took them straight to the ER where he was informed they would need to perform a third craniotomy to seal up the CSF leak. That was done just shy of three months of his first surgery. Again, on high alert of blood clotting, he was held in the hospital for 6 days to ensure no post-op complications or clots.
He is now home recovering.
Because of the timing of the leak, my dad is not able to return to work as soon as was anticipated, and his short term disability has now expired and leaving my parents' only source of consistent income to be my mom's retirement. As you can imagine, this entire thing has been unexpected and unplanned and the hospital bills have begun to pile up, and will continue to pile up.
Should you find it to support them, thank you as these funds will be used to help cover the cost of the insurmountable medical bills. If you can't afford it, no expectation, just send some prayers for fast healing.
Much love.
Organizer
Abby Minnieweather
Organizer
Portland, OR