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Lisa Rita’s Story

Site created on January 1, 2024

Lisa slipped and fell suffering major brain trauma on Friday evening, December 29th. She was rushed from her lake place by ambulance to the Skagit Valley Hospital where she was Life Flighted to Harborview Medical Tier 1 Trauma Center in Seattle.

After multiple scans and close monitoring overnight and through Saturday it was determined she would need complicated craniectomy surgery due to skull fractures and bleeds. A blood clot, pooling that needed to be removed from her brain, and significant brain swelling required that a part of her skull be removed to provide relief.

Lisa continues to be on a ventilator to assist in breathing and to give her body time to heal. She is being fed through a tube as of Monday. There are baby steps, and she has had some movement coming back in her arms and legs, and she even grasped Scot’s hand! This is very promising, but we know that Lisa has a very long road ahead with the outcomes of her healing being unknown.

We all know Lisa as strong, motivated, and resilient. If anyone can make the comeback of a lifetime, it’s her! Lisa’s beautiful daughters, Alex and Caroline are home from college for winter break and by her side along with her husband, Scot. Lisa is the life of the party and brightens every room she’s in. We are rooting for her and sending all the prayers we can.

It is clear that the time needed to properly care for her and give Lisa 100% attention will be required to give her the best chance at the best possible outcome. Work and income will need to take a back seat for a couple of months-- not to mention the hospital bills. We have had many families ask how they can help, and we thought the answer to this question would be simple: We would love to take the burden off Lisa’s family. They would never ask for anything, as they are always the first in line to help when others are in need. However, we hope that this message to loved ones will allow those to help toward the best care and provide what is clearly the best path…to be by Lisa’s side without the added stress of bills and work. We pray every minute, hour and day that Lisa will make a full recovery and be the fun, funny and vibrant person she is!

*If you wish to donate, please click on the "Ways To Help" link above. Then click on "Go Fund Me." This will take you directly to Lisa's Go Fund Me. All of the funds donated there will go directly towards Lisa's recovery.

We will continue to update the site regularly to notify everyone of Lisa's amazing recovery. Please check back for updates.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Chrissy Foran — 12 hours ago

Lisa had a really Good Friday. She started out a bit emotional, but the day definitely got better. She had therapies in the morning which included outdoor yoga. 😍🧘

Her friends Dorothy and Janet from Seattle were there for a visit. Lisa was so happy to see them. She posed for photos and took them outside and around the hospital and played air hockey. She also had a visit from two of our brothers. My brother, Jerry, flew in from San Diego to see Lisa for the first time. He came in with our brother, Tony and Lisa was so excited. She brought them both around the hospital and introduced everyone to her brothers. She shot some hoops in the rehab gym with my brothers, and also played some air hockey with them. She’s becoming a pro!

So all in all a really good day for her. She loves having visitors and luckily she’s had quite a few during her stay in Denver. Excited to see what the next 8 weeks bring! Happy weekend everyone! ❤️

Read More of the journal titled "April 26, 2024"

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