2/13/21 + Fundraiser!
This weekend we are having the first fundraiser for Cuca! Show your support in person or virtually. This weekend is going to be a cold one so bundle up if you will brave the elements! Visitation capabilities are opening up as restrictions ease. This week, Cuca was visited by two of her sons and she was excited to see them. The visit was short but they were able to show her love and support. Seeing her was such a joy and fresh of breath air. She is looking stronger is regaining more control over her motor functions, her eyes, head and arm. She does physical and mental exercises everyday. Still, no movements from the left side of her body but there is still plenty window for more recovery in that area. They have introduced soft foods into her diet, albeit there are still concerns about her ability to chew so…
1/8/2020
The procedure to install a permanent drainage shunt has been successful. The neurosurgeon in charge said that he picked out the most state-of-the-art shunt he could find and is happy with the results of the procedure. After spending overnight in an ICU unit for observation, she is in a regular unit now. Cuca video called with a few family members and was much more active! She was reportedly more talkative earlier in the day but was able to say some very coherent and complex sentences! Her condition is on the incline! We did manage to catch the general doctor and he said improvements are expected to happen but it is difficult to give a timeline, but she is doing well. Typically, a stroke patient’s eyes tend to gravitate in the direction of the affected portion of the brain where the stroke happened. Cuca is showing progress because during the video…
January 5th, 2021
Cuca was removed from ICU after the removal of the shunt that was helping relieve pressure from fluid buildup in her brain. The community was excited for this progress! However doctors and those who spoke with her through video call quickly noticed she was less responsive and didn’t spoke less. CT scans showed she was experiencing a condition known as hydrocephalus, where deep tissues in the brain retain more fluid that eventually put pressure on the surrounding tissues. The doctors quickly recommended they install a permanent shunt (drain) in her skull that will drain excess brain fluid into her abdomen. This should not affect her ability to live a normal life. Instead, after the procedure tomorrow (Wed., 1/6/20) doctors expect her to be much more awake and responsive. This will help her in so many ways from psychologically seeing her own progress to allowing he medical staff to plan her…