Renee’s Story

Site created on September 12, 2020

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it as a tool to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.  
Renee started complaining about not being able to see right on Saturday, September 5th.  After being persuaded to go see an eye doctor, she went to see an ophthalmologist on Tuesday, Sept. 8.  That doctor ordered Renee to go get an MRI the next morning.  On Thursday she learned that she has a large 10mm sized brain aneursym that is pushing on her optic track which is causing Renee's difficulty in seeing.  She had a consult that afternoon with a neurosurgeon at the U of M.  He ordered an angiogram for Renee on Friday Sept. 11th. 
 After a long time waiting in pre-op and having to take 2 COVID tests (both tests came back negative!), she finally went in for the procedure.  There were no surprises during the angiogram and the doctor was able to get a good look at what he is working with.  The doctor plans to do an aneurysm repair surgery interveiniously  on Monday to pack the aneurysm with coils and possibly use stents to further secure the coils. So thankfully no open surgery!  
The original plan was to send Renee home last night following the angiogram but as she was getting ready to leave she threw up and fainted.  The nurse and Josie caught her before she hit the ground.  A rapid response was called. Renee eventually aroused and slowly began to move and talk again. After the syncopal episode, many tests were performed to rule out further neuro trauma.  Renee passed these tests and it came to the conclusion that the vomiting and fainting was due to an empty stomach and Renee being ultra-sensitive to medication. But they did end up deciding to keep her over night last night to monitor her.  
This morning Renne is still in pain and having some headaches.  Neurologist order a head CT to rule out the aneurysm bleeding and also got her on some pain meds. The head CT came back normal and there are no signs of bleeding. Ideally the doctor wants her on blood thinners and steroids over the weekend before they do the surgery on Monday.  Most recently, the doctor did make the decision for Renee to stay inpatient through the weekend in order to better manage her medications and her pain level. 
As always, Renee approaches everything in life with a positive attitude and smile:)  Please keep Renee and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Continue to check this site for updates. Encouraging messages are graciously welcomed.
Go Fund Me link: https://gf.me/u/yxurus

Newest Update

September 16, 2020

Journal entry by Josie Scharlau —

RENEE IS HOME!!!!!

After 5 days at U of M hospital mom got discharged!! She had a great night overnight and doctors saw her this morning and cleared her to leave the hospital! We left the hospital right before noon today!!

She is to rest the next couple of days as she is still pretty tired but is allowed to do daily activities as tolerated.

Her sight will be the most hindering effect of these last 5 days. Her sight will require many follow ups with other specialists in the future but first she needs to just wait out the swelling and inflammation in her brain and nerves from surgery.

She is very nervous and sad that she will not be able to drive for awhile until we figure out her seeing. It’s scary for her to lose that independence right now but we are hopeful we can get the vision figured out soon.

She got through the scariest part of her journey, though, which is very important to celebrate! 

She is looking forward to visiting with friends in the near future and to see all of her people again! She is so appreciative of everyone. 

Thanks everyone for the never ending support <3
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