Joe Wallace

None of us really know where to begin. Yesterday,  my dad (Joe) woke early in the morning lethargic, with an extreme headache, and flu-like symptoms. My step-mom (Wendy) called an ambulance and he was taken to OSF Ottawa. He wasn't there but a half hour when they found bleeding in his brain and he was immediately taken to OSF St. Francis via life-flight with a brain aneurysm. Immediately upon arrival,  Joe was taken into surgery where a drain was inserted into his head to help alleviate the cranial pressure and drain the fluid. The angio CT Scan (yesterday) and follow-up angiogram (today) determined he has Arteriovenous Malformations which is a tangle of abnormal and poorly formed blood vessels. The surgical team will meet (hopefully today- but may not be until Wednesday) to determine the next step.  At this point, we're still unsure of treatment options and/or if there is an option. 
By mid-afternoon, yesterday, Joe was able to respond to simple commands. He knew his name, the month, could give 2 thumbs-up, show/wiggle his fingers, squeeze our hands, and move his feet/toes. Today, he continues to respond well to the commands and most recently began asking what happened, where he is, and why he is here. When we tell him, he becomes upset, but quickly forgets before asking again.  The past 2 days have been a complete whirlwind and every single possible emotion is exhausted. For those of you who know him, know he's an extremely hard worker who can't sit still so that alone is an obstacle for him. One thing that hasn't changed is his quirky personality which has brought smiles and lighten the mood. 
We cannot properly express our appreciation of your love, support, hope, and outpouring prayers and encouragement.  We'll continue to update you on his condition, treatment, and progress as we move forward on this long journey to recovery. ❤