Support Suzzane Prasad's Long Road to Recovery

We are very heartbroken and sad to share that Suzzane Prasad (Sarika) suffered a brain aneurysm on Tuesday, May 16th 2023, leading to severe bleeding, pressure, and fluid build-up in the brain. Suzzane was found almost immediately in the early morning while she was getting ready to go to work and was rushed to the emergency room at Regional Medical Center in San Jose and a little later into a surgical operation room where the doctors performed emergency brain surgery to fix (coil the aneurysm) and stabilize one of two aneurysms they subsequently discovered. During the first few days after the first surgery, Suzzane appeared to showing signs of doing well; but on Saturday, May 20th, the second discovered aneurysm began to bleed, requiring additional brain surgery to fix and stabilize it. Furthermore, the doctors stabilized what was an evolving vasospasm (brain spasm). Additionally, on the same day and under the same general anesthesia used to fix the second aneurysm and vasospasm, a small part of Suzzane’s scalp on the right side of her head was temporarily removed to help release some of the pressures that was building up in the brain. After a CT scan the next day, her doctor noticed fluid being built up; so, he inserted a tube into a location on the head to drain the fluid. Together, Suzzane had undergone five brain procedures within six days of her hospitalization.

Suzzane has been in the ICU unit of Regional Medical Center for almost 22 days and now, her care has been downgraded one level below the ICU level of care. When released by the neuro-surgeon at Regional Medical Center, Suzzane may be transferred to a different hospital in the Bay Area specializing in Long Term Acute Care (LTAC) for brain injury patients. Suzzane is expected to remain in the LTAC hospital for several weeks and may continue to be hospitalized for many more months.

If Suzzane had arrived a few minutes later at the hospital on May 16th, we likely would have lost her. But instead, Suzzane is continuing to fight for her life each day and we are optimistic she can beat the odds by surrounding her with the right medical specialists and methods of therapy and rehabilitation. While the road will be long for her, we are committed to bringing Suzzane back home to all who loves her —near and far. We know Suzzane can’t wait to get back on her feet to go back to work as she loves her job and the team she is so very proud to work with.

This GoFundMe campaign was started to provide a way for Suzzane’s family members and friends to help Suzzane secure the highest level of care. In addition to what her insurance can cover, Suzzane’s family members have been advised to expect significant outside costs related to speech therapy, physical therapy, home modifications, and alternative therapies once we realize the severity of her deficits. These GoFundMe will help Suzzane’s long-term recovery and quality of life. Any unused funds will be donated to similar families in need or related charities.

We remain dedicated to securing optimal care for the highest quality of life for Suzzane following this tragic event. To help with the financial burdens that face the family, please feel free to contribute here.

My Name: Anil Rupnarain

Relationship to Suzzane: Family Member

Use of Funds: I will use the funds solely to pay Suzzane's medical bills not covered by her insurance

We appreciate you sharing this story with friends, families, and communities willing to help Suzzane come home fully without medical issues.

With love to all from her family (her mom, Heria; and big sister, Jessie), friends and colleagues. ..Many Thanks