Lisa Baker, traumatic brain injury

Lisa slipped and fell suffering major brain trauma on Friday evening, December 30th. She was rushed from her lake place by ambulance to the Skagit Valley Hospital where she was Life Flighted to Harborview Medical Tier 1 Trauma Center in Seattle.

After multiple scans and close monitoring overnight and through Saturday it was determined she would need complicated craniectomy surgery due to skull fractures and bleeds. A blood clot, pooling that needed to be removed from her brain, and significant brain swelling required that a part of her skull be removed to provide relief.

Lisa continues to be on a ventilator to assist in breathing and to give her body time to heal. She is being fed through a tube as of Monday. There are baby steps, and she has had some movement coming back in her arms and legs, and she even grasped Scot’s hand! This is very promising, but we know that Lisa has a very long road ahead with the outcomes of her healing being unknown.

We all know Lisa as strong, motivated, and resilient. If anyone can make the comeback of a lifetime, it’s her! Lisa’s beautiful daughters, Alex and Caroline are home from college for winter break and by her side along with her husband, Scot. Lisa is the life of the party and brightens every room she’s in. We are rooting for her and sending all the prayers we can.

It is clear that the time needed to properly care for her and give Lisa 100% attention will be required to give her the best chance at the best possible outcome. Work and income will need to take a back seat for a couple of months-- not to mention the hospital bills. We have had many families ask how they can help, and we thought the answer to this question would be simple: We would love to take the burden off Lisa’s family. They would never ask for anything, as they are always the first in line to help when others are in need. However, we hope that this message to loved ones will allow those to help toward the best care and provide what is clearly the best path…to be by Lisa’s side without the added stress of bills and work. We pray every minute, hour and day that Lisa will make a full recovery and be the fun, funny and vibrant person she is!