Help the Barnetts after Annie's brain aneurysms

UPDATE: Firstly, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your generosity and kindness. We have loved reading your messages and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the money you have donated. We have updates. Doctors advised our whole family should be tested due to the circumstances of Annie's aneurysms and the possible link to a genetic reason for them. So just before Christmas and over the Christmas period we have all had further testing for aneurysms. Unfortunately, Greg (Annie's dad) has four, Carol (Annie's mum) has four, Cheryl (Annie’s grandmother) has 2 and my son Jack (Annie's cousin) has a cavernous angioma. Further medical treatment, most likely brain surgery will be in our futures for 2022. We are amazed our goal was reached, really chuffed by the beautiful people out there willing to help. It looks like Greg at a minimum will require some invasive brain surgery in 2022 which means no driving a truck for an extended period and loss of income. For this reason, I have increased our goal to $20000 to take a little of the burden away for their family.

On Sunday 10th October 2021, our perfectly healthy and beautiful Annie went to bed and woke up experiencing a terrible headache and other worrying symptoms. After an ambulance trip and a long wait at Caboolture Hospital it was discovered she had a bleed on the brain. She was rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital where up until her recent move to the Princess Alexandra Hospital she has stayed. She's had 8 weeks in hospital.

 

To say the whole experience has been anyone's and anyone's parents' worst nightmare is an understatement as there was no waking from this. I know Greg has been posting updates but these updates don't mention the many, many scary moments Annie and her family have faced. It's taken a long time for Annie to come out of Intensive Care.

 

In short, Annie has five brain aneurysms in her head. Two have ruptured, three still need further surgery. In one of the darkest moments she suffered a stroke four or so days after the second aneurysm unexpectedly ruptured whilst in hospital. She has had at least 13 major and invasive brain surgeries, spent about 20 days in Intensive Care, endured immense pain for prolongs periods, had to discontinue her university degree, won't be working for a long time and yet has to face the unknown permanent effects of these injuries to her brain.

 

During this time her parents Greg and Carol have never wavered in their immense support for Annie, often surviving on little to no sleep waiting anxiously for the next 7 hour surgery to end or receiving heart stopping phone calls from the hospital in the middle of nights. Unfortunately, this has come at huge financial cost. Greg was unable to work for many weeks and only now has returned to short hours.

 

The journey is not over for the Barnett family. Annie still has further brain surgeries to face and lots of rehabilitation. Many have asked how they can help. I have seen heartbreaking worries in the tired bloodshot eyes of my brother and Carol in these past few months and now I also see the huge burden of the financial strain of this. Any financial help would be greatly appreciated to help Annie and her parents.

 

Thank you all for your wonderful support.