Charlotte’s Road to Recovery

On May 4th of this year, my mom Charlotte Sablan suffered a severe traumatic brain injury from a serious auto accident. My mom was placed on life support as she entered a comatose state. Her brain was bleeding in several areas, and due to the elevated pressure in her brain, surgery had to be conducted by removing half of her skull to relieve that pressure. Doctors gave us grim news that there was a very high chance she would never wake up. Our hearts felt heavy, but we continued to have faith.

After a few weeks, my mom completely surprised those doctors and woke from her coma. But given her brain injury, she needed a trach tube to assist in breathing, as well as a peg to feed her down her stomach, all the while being bed-bound.

Fast forward 2 months after her auto-accident, and my mom is making remarkable recovery. She is now speaking, eating, and breathing on her own. The nurses and doctors say it is quite miraculous. Unfortunately, because she suffered injury to the right-half of her brain, she is unable to move the left side of her body and therefore cannot walk or get out of bed. The amount of care my mother needs while she is bed-bound and still recovering is 24/7. She has been at Guam Regional Medical City since the night of her accident, and will continue to be there until she is well enough to be discharged.

Neurological rehabilitation and physical therapy are her best chances for the highest potential of recovery. In order to give my mom her best chance, we are seeking to transfer her care stateside to San Diego, California - where medical practice is of higher quality than what Guam can offer for patients with brain injury. In addition, my mom’s parents and all her siblings reside in California where my mom can be surrounded by endless support and love from her immediate family members.

We are seeking donations to assist in her medical needs including: travel to San Diego for herself and my siblings, neurological rehabilitation, physical therapy, private caretaking, medical supplies, and anything else needed to ensure my mom’s best chance at recovery.

My siblings and I, including my grandparents and mother’s siblings, want to thank everyone for their prayers and thoughts during this difficult time.

Any amount, small or large, will help us financially. Si Yu’us ma’åse