Karen Binsfeld

This site has been created to keep the many people connected to Karen updated on her condition.  
First, a brief background on what happened.  Karen's co-workers took her to Regions Hospital on December 5th after noticing for about a week that she had been "off".   She had had trouble working and there had been some slurring of words.  She then called in sick a couple of days and when she returned to work on that Tuesday, they knew she was in need of immediate medical care.


A million thank yous to Chris and Will for getting her to the emergency room.  Chris especially went above and beyond that day by staying with her the entire day at the hospital...from 11 or so in the morning to 8 or so at night when my parents and I were finally able to get over there.


An MRI confirmed that Karen had a stroke.  It can be seen very clearly on the left side of her brain.  Several days of testing later revealed the "why".  Karen has been diagnosed with MoyaMoya disease.  It is most often, but not always, found in people of Asian ethnicity.  It is extremely rare.  I have talked with numerous doctors, nurses, and a neurologist who all tell me that they have never actually encountered someone with the disease.  The stoke is caused not by a clot, or anything blocking the arteries.  From how I understand it, the lining of the arteries on both sides of her neck "thicken", and narrow.    The fix for this is a bypass surgery, where they will somehow bypass the affected arteries and start getting the blood flowing once again to her brain.


Karen is doing well.  She is not allowed to be alone, so she can't go home and she is frustrated by that.  She stayed with me this past weekend, but I had to go back to work today so she is now staying with Orlando.  I can't thank Orlando enough for opening up his home to her and keeping her safe!


Karen has trouble with "word finding".  She knows what she wants to say, but often times can't get it out.  Sometimes she answers questions with no when she means yes. They told us that with speech and occupational therapy, this can all be recovered and turned around.  I have no doubt Karen will do just that.


On Wednesday, Karen and I will meet with the neurosurgeon who will do her surgery.  Apparently, he is the only person around here who does this procedure.  I am very much looking forward to talking with him, asking him my multitude of questions, and finding out just when the surgery can take place.  The doctor who released her from Regions told me he thought the surgery would be sometime next week.


I will update this site at the end of each day if there is anything of significance to tell.  Absolutely I will update on Wednesday after the appointment with the neurosurgeon.  I know Karen can not wait to put this all behind her and move on.  Please keep her in your prayers.  God has placed exactly the people she needs around her.