Need some help
 

Hey Guys,

My family could really use some positive thoughts. Be it prayer, well wishes, chi, it does not matter. Please send it our direction.

My wife called me from work to let me know she was not feeling well, was headed home, and wondered if I could come home early to take care of the kids. Since my wife does not complain, I figured something was up, and I jetted straight home.

When I got there, she told me she had a headache and that she needed to rest. I get that, consider it done, I was going to watch the game anyway. When I went to bed, her head still ached, but no complaints.

At midnight, she woke me up an asked me to call the advice nurse. I did so, and while relaying questions and answers between the two of them, my wife began speaking incoherently. Luckily, she and I had joked about this earlier and she said to make sure I call 911 if at some point I could not understand her.

The ambulance arrived within 15 minutes of me calling 911. While one EMT was asking the standard questions about where I wanted her to go if they needed to transport her, the team realized that there was indeed a problem, and it did not matter where I wanted her to go, she should go to a Neuro-center not far from here. DONE.

My wife suffered a massive bleed in her brain. After tests and scans, it became apparent that she had a large aneurysm. Unlike most aneurysms, this one was not a "stretched out balloon" that could more easily be taken care of (yes, easy and brain surgery in the same sentence) but this aneurysm was called "disecting" and included where three arteries joined.

That hopefully is the end of the bad news.

Neurosurgeons are notorious for having God complexes. Upon discovering the type of aneurysm my wife had, the two that were working on her bowed out and let me know that there was approximately one person who could do this surgery, and he was local, at UCSF. Upon revealing to this surgeon that my wife was only 43, and had two children, he agreed to take the case.

Tomorrow, Deb goes in for surgery. She is in the best possible hands. The science side of things are out of my control. I do believe I can still help with the spiritual side though.

Please, if you have a spare moment, send out positive energy for my wife tomorrow.

Thank you for reading.

Steve

I don't even know what to say other than I'm very glad things were caught when they were (could've been much worse) and that I hope everything works out okay. Best wishes to her for a full recovery.

Best wishes and positive energy.

How are your kids holding up?

Prayers sent.

So sorry you and your family are facing this. We're thinking of and praying for you.

Prayers and good wishes sent for you, your wife, and your family. I hope the surgery is successful. I know from experience that it can be, and she can completely recover.

Sorry to hear about this, Steve. Praying.

You will be under a lot of stress from this; hand off the phone updates to a good friend or family member so you won't be on the phone constantly.

Prayers sent!

Hugs to the whole family. Please keep us posted.

Praying for your wife, your family, and the surgeon.

Really sorry to hear this. Best wishes!

Hoping for the best of results from the surgery.

Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

steve and angela

Thoughts and prayers sent from Michigan.

Prayers sent.

I can't even imagine.

Man!, life and it's foul balls.
You sound like a loving husband.
Best to you, your wife and family. Prayers sent for her recovery.

Prayers sent. Good luck. Glad you caught it when you did.

Steve I'm sending prayers and any good Karma I have saved up. Stay positive!

Sorry to hear this. Hope all goes well, good thoughts sent your way

Wow. Sending prayers your way Steve. Please keep us posted.

Prayers said for your wife Deb, you and the kids!

My Mother had an aneurysm about 7 years ago. Severe headache and then she blacked out. One hour Ambulance to the top Hospital. It took a few days of MRA's to locate it, being in an area that was hard to image. Times were difficult, especially since my Father was in advanced stages of Parkinson's with Dementia and needed constant attention also. She spent quite a bit of time in the OR, but they were able to take care of it. She is fine today, and no more memory problems than any other 81 year old. Try to stay positive. She is in good hands, and I'm sure things will work out.

Steve,

Prayers said and sent.

Matt

I am sending good Karma and thoughts Steve, please keep us updated. I am very sorry to hear about your wife. Regards,
Sandy

Fingers and everything else crossed as hard as they can be.

Thank goodness you live close to UCSF.

Best wishes, karma and chi sent, Steve. Hoping for a successful, "uneventful" surgery followed by a speedy recovery for your wife.

Take time to hug your kids and explain to them what's going (at an age-appropriate level); chances are, they're more freaked out than you are.

Hi Steve,
Sorry to hear about your wife. Praying for a successful operation.
Guy

Ooof! That's a punch in the gut.

Praying for Deb, you and your kids.

Prayers, positive thoughts, and good vibes sent your way. It is awful when a loved one is sick. You guys will be in my thoughts ....

From my family, to yours and specially to your wife, we are wishing you the Best.

Woah. Well wishes sent. Keep us posted. I know you have to be strong for your kids, this is an outlet for you to vent/share/worry.

Best wishes Steve, I hope the surgery & recovery go well.

Sounds as if she is getting the best care available. Stay strong and know all of us here are sending our best wishes to you and your family.

Peace and strength, my friend. Prayers sent.

Stay strong, keep us updated when you can.

the docs at UCSF are seriously good. Good thoughts northbound.

Hope everything went well this morning. "The guy" for this sort of work is close by, and there are some newer techniques that are like magic, which is hopefully some small consolation.

Yellow Submarine is a good sandwich shop down the hill from Parnassus. You are going to want some walking around outside time. If you need anything translated into English from whatever lingo neurosurgeons speak let me know.

It's a good sign that two top surgeons differed to who they believed the best specialist.
'Today' would be much better than 'tomorrow', though.

Hope all went well.

The kids are managing. USCF provided me a case manager who explained to me how to talk to my kids. It really helped. They both made it to school today, but they are visibly distressed. Luckily my folks and Deb's folks are close by and able to provide support. Our neighbors have stepped up and are providing meals and shuttle services.

The surgery started on time. I have received two updates at this point and they have both been positive.

Thank you all for everything.

Steve

Tobra, the Dr. performing the surgery is Dr. Michael Lawton.

Praying for your wife and your family.