Karla's Journey To Wellness

On behalf of Karla Newell, I am writing to ask for contributions for Karla due to an unparalleled health event. It’s not every day that a giant brain tumor (think golf ball) is incidentally discovered after a back surgery (June 20, 2014) and it’s curious after effects. Discovery day, the day we’ll never forget, was June 27th, 2014. After an incredibly surreal and eventful week of preparation and planning (per the doctors, “get your affairs in order”), on July 7th, 2014, Karla had emergent brain surgery to partially remove the tumor that was drastically deforming and displacing her brain stem as well as invading caverns, bone and any other 'space' it could occupy (the remaining tumor is in a critical area - smack dab in the middle of her head, and therefore, is on a “watch and wait program”). It was fortuitous that the tumor was discovered when it was, as it would have been catastrophic within weeks. The surgery was successful (life-saving), yet there was damage to many of Karla’s cranial nerves, brain stem and cerebellum. Following the surgery, Karla spent 6 weeks in the hospital undergoing intensive rehabilitation for vision and hearing loss, cognitive compromise, an inability to swallow (weeks of liquid meals though a nasal feeding tube), speak, and walk. The fantastic rehab staff helped Karla begin the process of recovering these functions and generally 'think' like something not wearing an exoskeleton (Karla approves of Kirk’s situational levity). Post hospital stay, Karla underwent many challenging months of outpatient rehabilitation. To this day, Karla spends considerable time each day doing “rehab homework."

In addition to her ongoing fallout from the initial brain surgery, a cascade of issues presented themselves, one inextricably attached to the other. A severe cough emerged due to an overly sensitive nerve path (seemingly all of them are these days), a result of the fact that Karla’s cranial nerves were embedded within the tumor, like “spaghetti wrapped in dough!” Imagine picking this apart for hours on end (Dr. Ghosh, you are masterful and truly a lifesaver)! Anyway, I digress, back to the cough…it was so severe and frequent it damaged the original spinal surgery site. So in July 2015, Karla underwent her 2nd L5/S1 discectomy. A month later, with the cough still incredibly severe, the disc again failed (or never had the chance to heal) and in August, just a month later, Karla underwent the surgical knife yet again (3rd time’s a charm?). While in the hospital, Karla contracted a hospital-borne infection, pseudomonas. Needless to say, this type of infection can be life threatening and required immediate IV antibiotics, given exactly every 8 hours. Kirk quickly became an expert in home health care, PICC line sterilization and clock management. Unfortunately, the antibiotics provided to Karla were akin to poison and coupled with her extreme sensitivity to the myriad of other medications she continues to take to this day. During a trip to the emergency room for medication complications, Karla was admitted to the hospital for a stay of four days. Unbeknownst to us, the hospital inadvertently forgot to give Karla one of her medications (tip…don’t go cold turkey with Amitriptyline), a medication which had significant withdrawal and interaction effects for Karla. After arriving home later in the week, Karla found herself unable to think, act, balance or be the person she was before the week began! A massive withdrawal and/or interaction was in progress, which was eventually sorted out, frantic days notwithstanding. Slowly, over the next week, Karla returned to a less frenetic state, and after so many setbacks, hoped that this was the last of the chaos and better days were ahead. Thanks to Dr. Lobatz, or 'guardian angel,' as Karla refers to him, for tirelessly advocating and helping us navigate these sometimes frightening waters (from day 1 to the present)!

Through the fall of 2015, Karla’s condition (an amalgamation of so many things) waxed and waned with the ever present thought that mounting medical bills would force her back to work sooner than desired. As this realization became necessity, Karla returned to part time work in November 2015 (ironically, to her 20 year career at Scripps Hospital Encinitas Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation….Karla was a patient in the very department for which she works). Karla has gradually increased her hours at work, but because Karla has altered sensation on the entire left side of her body, loss of feeling and hearing in the right side of the face and head, coordination challenges, visual challenges, fatigue and a significant loss of balance, every task, moment and activity is filled with reminder of what life was… and yet, graciously, of life remaining! Recovering from events of this magnitude will take years and many future doctor visits, rehab work, complementary treatments and otherwise costly endeavors.


In summarizing just a small portion of events from the past couple years I am hopeful that you may understand something about Karla. She has strength and courage beyond compare. I suppose facing a similar situation in each of our lives, we would do our best to face the day as admirably as Karla, but yet still not reach her level of determination and positivity. Karla has set the standard for grace under pressure and with that same grace, Karla would thankfully and humbly accept any financial help provided to her.


As the mother of a teenage son, dedicated employee, friend to all and as my girlfriend, Karla has always put others first. In that spirit, I thank you for taking time to read through this message and for considering a donation to Ms. Karla M. Newell.

Sincerely,

Kirk Albrektsen