Support Madison Giesler’s Recovery

Hi, my name is Janice Webb. I’m Keith’s sister and Madison’s aunt. I am fundraising to support Madison’s recovery from a traumatic brain injury after a UTV accident.

We appreciate your prayers more than we can say, and that is all that is needed from each of you.

With that being said, many of you have asked if there is some way to help Madison’s family as she recovers. While it is not necessary, any donations will be used by her parents as needed. Her four parents have been blessed to be at her bedside and will remain there throughout her recovery.

Below are the most up-to-date details regarding Madison’s recovery. I will update here along with my public Facebook post.

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Update 6/6 @ 10:15 pm

Madison is improving tonight! Thank you, Jesus!

She is talking again!! She knows who she is, knows who her parents are, knows where she is, knows how old Keith is (35), and told her sister Maci on the phone, “Maci Rose, I love you!” She is groggy, but she is insisting on drinks of water every 30 minutes or so.

When you say your prayers tonight, say a great big thank you for the work being done in this precious girl.

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Update 6/6 @ 6:00 pm

Please continue to pray for Madison’s complete healing.

Madison is stable and responding to regular neuro checks by purposeful withdrawal from stimuli to her limbs. Doctors believe her unchanged status is a step forward.

Keith *just* reported that she is starting to try to talk again.

Doctors were unable to perform the MRI but believe the blood clot is unchanged. They also think she likely had mini strokes. Treatment remains blood thinners, rest, and time. Neuro checks are more important than an MRI at this time.

The effects of her brain injuries and stroke(s) are still unknown.

Please know Madison is a miracle. Her skull has too many fractures to count. She is not on pain medication. She did not have to be intubated and placed back on the ventilator after her stroke. She is still responding to Neuro checks. Her vital signs are stable. We are so, so thankful.

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Update 6/6 @ 7:45 am

Yesterday evening, Madison had a sudden change in behavior and her pain level increased. The team ordered a CT & MRI. She has a blood clot on one side of her brain and damage from a stroke on the other side. They are treating the blood clot with blood thinners. She is resting. She is responding to Neuro checks. They will do another MRI later today.

Please continue to pray for Madison. Specifically, please pray that the blood thinners effectively treat the clot and prevent additional strokes and that she continues to respond to Neuro checks.

Madison is blessed to have four parents who adore her and have not left her side. Madison can only have four visitors, and her parents do not wish to step out of her room. I will continue to post updates here as we have them, but they are not accepting visitors at this time and are hoping to have a quiet day of rest.

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Update 6/5 @ 10:45 pm

Please pray for Madison in the next few hours as her team runs additional tests.

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Update 6/5 @ 12:00 pm

Madison is talking to her parents.

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Update 6/5 @ 9:23 am

Madison has exceeded everyone’s expectations! PRAISE GOD!

The doctors are planning to meet and make an entirely new plan because she’s doing so well.

Madison’s body temperature is regulating on its own and doctors removed her central line!!

She is still still coming out of sedation and not getting any pain meds. Removing all medication is intentional so the team can fully assess her brain injuries. They will reintroduce medication to keep her comfortable after a full assessment. They do not plan to sedate her.

Madison is still coming out of sedation and is very agitated and confused. This is normal and expected.

Morgan shared that Madison’s overnight nurse was the most incredible nurse she’s ever worked with. She provided Madison with intentional 1:1 care all night.

When you pray, please thank God for Madison’s improvement and continue to pray for complete healing in the days, weeks, months to come.

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Update 6/5 @ 8:30 am

Overnight, Neuro checks continued to go well. Once she tried to mouth something to Keith! They just took the vent out and she’s been out of sedation for 30 minutes. Praise God! She still has long road to recovery, and I’m not sure what the team’s next steps are, but so many of you have been praying for this sweet babe, and I wanted you all to be able to celebrate with us!

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Update 6/4 @ 10:19 pm.

Madison’s team adjusted her medication, and it’s helped tremendously. She is much more comfortable. During the last two neuro checks, she quickly opened her eyes and tracked from person to person. Also, she is needing less support from the ventilator. These are big, big wins! Keep praying!

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Update 6/4 @2:15 pm.

Madison’s team at Children’s has been incredible. Madison is sedated and intubated in order to keep her safe and allow her brain to heal. Every hour, the team does a Neuro check where they lift the sedation and ask her to perform tasks like squeezing a hand, giving a thumbs up, wiggling toes, and opening eyes. I am happy to share that the neurosurgeon is encouraged by Madison’s responses. At the last check, she moved her hands and then tried to rip out her ventilator. The neurosurgeon said that her skull did its job protecting her brain.

At this time, the treatment for Madison’s injuries is time.

The goal is to keep Madison safe and allow her brain to heal with the hope that there is not a secondary injury (brain swelling). This is a risk in the next few days. The doctors are monitoring Madison very closely; in addition to sedating her and using a ventilator, labs are being drawn regularly and her body temperature is being regulated.

Specifically, please pray that there is no swelling over the next few days and that Madison’s neurological responses improve.

Madison has some other injuries that are mild in comparison including broken bones in her ear and pulmonary contusions (bruising on her lungs). Her ear should heal on its own, and she should only have temporary hearing loss. The bleeding in her lungs has subsided and her lungs looked more clear the last time the respiratory therapist suctioned them. The ventilator is supporting her lungs as they heal.

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We covet your prayers.

My niece Madison was in an ATV accident. She was unresponsive at the scene and flighted to STL Children’s. She has multiple fractures along her skull and face along with some bleeding on the brain. She received two blood transfusions. Presently, she is sedated and intubated. Doctors are performing hourly Neuro checks. She is performing most commands.

Clarification: Doctors are choosing to sedate Madison for her comfort and to assess her head injuries. She is able to move both sides of her body - upper & lower limbs. When doctors reduce sedation, she is breathing some on her own.

I will post updates here as we have them.