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Above photo was taken four days before
the surgery
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Vernessa's Chronology of Recovery
September 8 to 13, 2020, and beyond.
Vernessa had a surgery for Level
One Chiari
Malformation
 Today,
September 8, 2021, one year after the surgery, Vernessa is
doing well. She has been back to work since February
2021, and she is grateful and happy. Photo taken in August
2021
CONTINUE
GIVING
[ Oct 10,
2020 ] Vernessa is
requesting that you continue to give to help cover the
monthly payments at the hospital. She expresses deep
gratitude to those who have given already. Below are
two methods how to give. Balance needed is $84,000.
($1000 monthly payment).
1.
Directly to her hospital account online:
Doctors Hospital
Business Office
Dowdeswell Street
Account member V00001030326 [
LINK ]
2.
 Donate
Online by
clicking
here.
Use any debit or credit card. No Paypal
account needed.
How it All Went
-
 DAY
1--Tuesday
Sept 8th:
-
DAY 4--Friday Sept 11th
-
9:05 a.m.
I
spoke to Vernessa this morning. She
woke up without nausea.
-
During the night her sciatica pain was affecting
her. However, she said the nurses were
tremendous. Despite that, she said her night
was "good."
-
She appreciated the music I sent her. It
really was soothing and relaxing.
-
The music sent to her:
Andre Gagnon
Chanson Sans Paroles.
Andre Gagnon
When I Fall in Love.
USA
Africa
We Are the World.
-
The Best Relaxing Classical Music Ever
- Relaxation Meditation Focus Reading Tranquility
-
Michael Jackson
- You Are Not Alone (Official
Video)
-
The nurses told her that the drainage looks good.
The doctor will give the official word later this
morning.
-
 10:00
a.m. Vernessa
sent me a message. She said that
the doctor was satisfied with the drainage and took
out the tube. The wound was dry and healing
well. He replaced the tube with a compressed
bandage. He said because she is
progressing so well, she should come out of the
hospital on Sunday. See her bright and
lovely face this morning (right). Click on
photo to enlarge.
-
Here's a little secret. Vernessa's sister,
Petty Officer Christian Rahming's birthday is today.
Yah!
-
At 1:30
p.m. Vernessa sent me a message stating the
she just walked, with the guidance of the
physiotherapist, the entire length of the hallway.
In addition, she did a few exercises. She
lifted each leg ten times, each arm over her head
ten times and sat down ten times. She had no
dizziness and she felt good. The
physiotherapist said she did "awesome."
-
5:10 p.m.
The doctor called me upon my request
through his LinkedIn page online. He gave
great news. He said Vernessa is
progressing very well. Before surgery she
could only hold her breath to a count up to ten.
Post surgery she can hold her breath double the
time--up to 20. Before surgery she could
not hold up her right hand beyond her shoulder.
Now she is raising and holding both hands high above
her head easily. She is more able to
manage her personal care.
Back
to Top
Back to
Top
-
DAY 6--Sept
13th
-
7:50 a.m. Vernessa awoke out of sleep.
She sent a voice mail with these words: "Yes, this
is the day. I had the best sleep ever. I
slept all night. I had no headache and no pain.
I did not need to get up to go to the bathroom.
It was a good night. So this is definitely the
day."
-
9:10 a.m. Vernessa called at said she
is "free to go." The doctor said she could go
home.
-
1:15 p.m. Barrington picked up Vernessa
from the hospital.
-
2:00 p.m. Vernessa reaches Sweet Refuge.
She was greeted on the outside by her mother, Claudia;
her sister, Ketura; Keith (Ketura's husband) and their
children; Ane and her little daughter, Amore; and her
son Lawrence. They greeted her outside, took
photos, and blew kisses with little hugs.
-
BEYOND
-
On Friday, September 18, 2020, Vernessa will
go back to surgical theater to fix the leakage of
spinal fluid. It will require general
anesthesia. However, she would not need to be
in intensive care after that. She will remain in the
general ward for up to three days for observation.
-
Sept 18th 7:00 a.m., Vernessa reached Doctors
Hospital.
-
8:30 a.m. she went to prepare for surgery but
could not started because the COVID19 results
were not completed
-
9:05 a.m. She went to prep for surgery
-
1:00 p.m. Surgery started late because the
anesthesiologist had a challenge finding
the vain for IV lines.
-
4:00 p.m. Surgery completed. In the words
of the doctor: "Surgery is done. There was
a significant leak and we close the defect.
Waited almost an hour just to watch if there was
any more leak and it seemed to hold up. All
looks good now. Praying and Keeping fingers
crossed that what we have done is enough. She is
being reversed out of anesthesia as of now.
-
4:08 p.m. Vernessa taken to recovering
room. From the doctor: "She is awake and
well. Has a pain in the right arm, most
probably from positioning. Is able to move
limbs well and able to comprehend and speak with
neurological function."
-
6:25 p.m. Vernessa awakes in her room on
the ward. She said it was a different
experience waking up compared to after the first
surgery. She was experiencing a little
shaking and was cold, due to the anesthesia
getting out of her system.
-
It was a long day. But she made it.
In her own words: "I am a trooper."
-
Tuesday, September 22, 2020, 3:00 p.m.:
Vernessa is now at Sweet Refuge doing well and
resting. Her wound is healing very well. The staples
are out and just the regular stitches are left.
She said she is feeling much better and much
different than after the first surgery. Vernessa is
even on her way to dropping the weight. She
has lost almost ten pounds.
-
Monday, October 5, 2020, 10:00 a.m.: V ernessa
had her follow-up visit with Dr. Susheel Wadhwa II
today. He removed the staples she had in the
thigh and the stitches in her head.
(See photo on the right taken days before the
stitches were removed. Photo on the left taken
after stitches were removed today. Click to
enlarge)
During surgery the doctor had to use some flesh from
Vanessa's thigh to fix surgical wound. The
doctor said he is satisfied with her progress.
Here is what he said in his own words:
"Everything seemed very well with Vernessa. There
was no obvious sign of a leak or collection.
Considering
 it
is over 2 weeks since the second surgery, it is very
less likely to have a leak after this. She can
gradually return to normal activity over the next
2-3 weeks." Vernessa said she has been
feeling very well. However, she is not over
doing or pushing herself. Note that the doctor
gave her about two weeks for her to resume normal
activities.
-
PHOTOS &
VIDEO
Photos
below are about Vernessa when she arrived at Sweet Refuge on
September 13th. She is being greeted by her loving
son, Lawrence; her mother, sister and family.
Below: Vernessa relaxing at Sweet Refuge
"The Big Difference" Photo
and Video
One week ago, one year ago,
Vernessa could not do this--
raise her arms and hands above her head and hold them there.
Click on photo to watch video
Important
Notice September 13, 2020
Vernessa, although
progressing very well, is still in a critical stage of
recovery. She is being very carful about
what she is doing. She will see the doctor on
Friday for an important checkup. She will
not be doing strenuous exercise or work right now.
The Sweet Refuge Butlers will be giving her total
service. (Oops! Not bathing her. Ha! Ha!). I am
sure family members will reach her via phone or email,
nevertheless, be mindful of her need to have a complete
night's rest. Please do not call late at nights.
Back to
Top
Any size donation will be greatly appreciated.
2.
Donate directly at the CIBC First Caribbean Bank in The
Bahamas
 Vernessa Rahming
First Caribbean Bank at any branch in The Bahamas or online
to the account below at Sandy Port Branch
Account Number 201717162
Kindly indicate "Surgery"
3. Donate Online by
clicking
here.
Use any debit or credit card. No Paypal
account needed.
Back
to Top
THE SURGERY:
Forty-five year old Vernessa was a pre-school teacher for
about 10 years, and is now a certified Montessori Bahamian
educator at Tiny Sprouts Montessori. She is the mother of
three young adults and the grandmother of a lovely
granddaughter. For about two years, she has been suffering
excruciating upper back pain.
October 2019, a medical
specialist in Florida diagnosed her with a disabling
condition which can paralyze or suffocate her if she does
not have surgery. The specialist here in Nassau wants her to
have the surgery immediately.
As one can imagine, the
surgery will cost much more than she can afford, if you are
able, will you please consider donating to her medical fund
right away so she can have this life-saving surgery.
Funds can be deposited
to CIBC First Caribbean account 201717162
(at any branch in The Bahamas) in
Vernessa’s name or can be made online through
Paypal using any debit or
credit card (No Paypal account needed).
Vernessa and her
family thank you for your generosity.
EMAIL VERNESSA:
Kindly send an email to
vernessasurgery@soencouragement.org
to
indicate that you have deposited funds at CIBC or Online
Barrington H. Brennen
Organizer, Uncle
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Vernessa's
photo on the right was taken today and placed here
with her permission.
