Tricia Widgen Casella Tricia Casella

On Wednesday, March 25th, Tricia was admitted to Suburban Hospital, outside of Washington, DC, for emergency brain surgery following a sudden decline in her physical and mental state.  The surgeons discovered a large mass the size of a lemon or orange in her right frontal lobe, along with some excess bleeding that was contributing to the quick decline in her health.  It has only been four days as of this note, and she is already progressing above and beyond her surgeons' expectations.  In fact, her neurosurgeon told her husband, Vince, that she was in the top 1% of all patients who had gone through something similarly traumatic.  She is breathing on her own, swallowing and even talking and laughing!  In fact, she has had several, very lucid conversations, and she is strongly communicating (both vocally and physically) with her medical team.  Tricia is aware of current events, and there seems to be no memory loss other than in the immediate days leading up to the emergency.    

The doctors, her family and her friends all remain incredibly optimistic about her progress!  We do not yet know when she is going to be released from the hospital, or if she will need any form of rehabilitation following her discharge.  Sadly, the timing is horrible given the COVID-19 viral spread, and visits to Tricia are not permitted at this time.  Clearly our main concern right now is to avoid exposing her to infection and also keeping her boys and husband healthy so that they can be ready to have her come home the minute she is ready!  Tricia has a lot of steps to take before a full recovery, therefore we want to use this platform to keep everyone informed and to maintain the positive energy that her many, many friends are sending her way.  I'm hoping this website further reduces stress on Vince, and we will consistently update the site with ways you can help the family.  As Vince indicated, the most challenging days lie ahead and the family will likely need even more help when Tricia returns home.  For those who live near DC, I will be sending out a separate meal train or grocery train list so that you can drop items off.  That said, cards and well wishes are always welcome, and the best way to get them to her is to mail them to their home.  Vince can read her the cards, or I can scan them in and have the nurses print them out in the hospital.  Many of you have already sent me messages that I have forwarded along to her wonderful nurse team at Suburban.  Feel free to email me at abg.allen@gmail.com with any notes or wishes you would like for me to get to her.  

Tricia is going to beat this, and I see a big party in her future.  The best is yet to come!




Love,




Ashley Allen