15 March 1997
My sisters journey to recovery has been difficult, many potholes down this road. Carrie Lynn suffered a ruptured aneurysm on January 1,1996. She is 26 years old. She is definitely a survivor. Her surgery was successful, aneurysm was clipped, bleeding was stopped etc. Post-op troubles set-in, vasospasms, intercranial pressure, 10 day pentothal induced coma, brain shunt operation, strokes (three major cerebral infarcts), a move to Florida to be closer to my parents, shunt infection, wrong medication, allergic reaction to Tegretal, nurse gives Tegretal again/ almost died/ nice human error story, loss of control in legs, incontinence, near tracheotomy, shunt removal, insurance caps out/rehab hasn't started yet no more insurance for rehab, moved to nursing home to be with dying elderly, becomes problem for staff because family and friends are with her everyday, still manages to be a spiritual force and positive influence for many residents, wins "resident of the month", proves all the doctors wrong, still no progress with legs, healthy appetite (finally)thank God, over medicated, limited out-patient physical therapy, no cognitive rehabilitation, wants help but nowhere to go, physiatrist finally recommends 45 day brain injury program at TAMPA GENERAL, 10 months and help on the way, NOT!
Mysteriously discharged after 14 days, MEDICAL or MONETARY reasons? I think they found out something regarding her HMO ( something to do with the FINE PRINT!) where to go now? Xmas, 11 months after accident, CARRIE RETURNS HOME!!!YEAH! HAPPY HOMECOMING!, Xmas with family both brothers, sister, mom & dad, lots to be thankful for! How are mom & dad going to handle their 26 year old at home while working full time??? Son Dave in New York, me in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, and sister Nadine living in Ottawa, Ont., Canada, COULD WE BE MORE SPREAD OUT? Non-profit corporation (501c3 status) formed by family and friends called F.O.C.U.S. INTERNATIONAL. Focus means "friends of Carrie unite & support". Fund raising events include two celebrity golf tournaments and a celebrity hockey game. THANKS to TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING, TODD STOTTLEMYRE, JOHN CERUTTI, JOE HESKETH, JODY REED, GREG GAGLIARDI, & T. J. RIVES. THANKS TO BRETT HULL (CARRIES' brother in law) and thank you DAD for being a professional hockey player, you have no idea how much your previous work with charities when you were playing is helping F.O.C.U.S. now? You are Carries' hero!!! Hang in there MOM! We are survivors! Let's do what we can for future victims,through education and fund raising! This WEB SITE and all of your stories are absolutely wonderful! thank you and please write me with solutions, questions, or just to talk!