Kristy Egg Has Had an Aneurysm …

Original ER Visit on September 23rd, 2017

Original Post from Saturday, September 30, 2017:

WHILE THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE START OF A BAD JOKE (the title was meant to sound that way), Kristy really has a cranial aneurysm; actually 3 of them. Before laying the blame on me, or one of our children or even her students, read on for the details…from most recent back to our discovery of the problem.

Update, Monday, May 07, 2018: 5K for Stroke Awareness!

Hannah Egg posted some images from the
Inaugural Florida Stroke Awareness 5k on FB

We were pleased to participate in a rainy and wonderful 5K event with Dr. Garg’s team for Stroke Awareness on Sunday morning, May 6th.  In the image above, Dr. Garg is pictured dodging rain-drops with Kristy, Hannah & Theron. It was wonderful to see the great turnout!

Samantha from Johnson & Johnson was one of the sponsors

Theron Bring Home the Medal!

Kristy continues to strengthen, but the seizures are persistent.  Kristy and I traveled to New York (her first trip in 7 months) to do business and have some time together April 30 to May 02. Some images are below:

Bob Wyman & Kim Fraczek with Kristy at a
Geothermal Event in NYC

Samara Swanston with NYC Council gives Kristy a
tour of the historic Council Chnambers

Dinner with Donovan & Heather Gordon

We continue to be grateful for the outpouring of love and support, and for our great caregivers!

Update Monday, April 09, 2018

Theron, Kristy and Hannah at a Play Directed by Hannah,
Thursday, April 5th, 2018

Kristy has had some reverses; the seizures are back and her dizziness and lack of focus and coordination continues, but her health is generally improving. Don't worry folks; she's not teaching, nursing or driving! :) The glasses are a new addition, and they have been a big help to her.  The neuro-ophthalmologist confirmed that some of the pressure around her right eye has caused a correctable astigmatism. 

Dr. Garg ordered a CTA with contrast today, and will be sending Kristy to an epilepsy specialist in Hunters Creek to check and adjust her seizure medications as necessary. He is a peer of Dr. Garg's and he wants to make sure that she is receiving the best epilepsy care possible.

Kristy has stopped working, and is looking forward to redirecting her career path and returning to BYU Idaho soon.  We will be seeing Hannah off to the MTC in Provo as she starts her mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on June 13, 2018. Hannah will be serving in Gilbert, AZ.  Theron plans to have his mission papers in soon, and we should know by the time Hannah reports where Theron will be assigned to serve. 

Update Saturday, March 24th, 2018

Kristy has her "chics', and is preparing for Easter!Click on the image for a message from her.

Kristy has been seizure free for more than a month, and is rapidly returning back to full health. During the past four weeks, I have been out of the country on business (Mon-Friday), and she has carried the load at home, without any complaint whatsoever.  I’m thankful for the aid of our youngest two children Theron and Hannah.

This coming week, on March 27th and 28th, I'm going to another conference. But this time location is just 10 minutes from my home. The International Geothermal Conference (IGSHPA Orlando) is attended by many of our friends from around the world that have poured out there wonderful thoughts and prayers during these last 6 months. I hope to be able to bring Kristy on Tuesday.  Stop by and just say Hi to her if you’re in the area; we hope to see you there!

Kristy wishes once again to thank everyone for the love and prayers. We're quite certain this is the reason for her miraculous recovery.  Click on the image above for her message of gratitude from October, 2017. 

Update Monday, February 05, 2018

Theron, Hannah, Kristy and Jay at Church on Sunday, Feb 04, 2018

Kristy's progress has been rapid over the past 3 or 4 days.  While she does not currently have the ability to drive, and needs our watchful eye, she has been active this weekend in both Saturday family functions and attending church on Sunday. 

Theron, Kristy, Hannah, Jay, Jordan (w/ Madison) and Taylor (w/ Diana)

She has been allowed to go back to work with her seizure dog Rosie for 3 days a week (Mon-Wed-Fri).Thank you to all who have reached out with love and prayers.  We could not have made it through without you!

Update Saturday, January 28th, 2018

It's all Elephants! Thanks to Sister
Vincent for the Elephant Slippers!

We've been home from the hospital most of the week. Kristy will be another week or so getting her strength back and stabilizing hemoglobin levels.  The blood thinners used in the surgeries caused some venous hemorrhaging and an embolism that formed is in the (painful) process of healing.  We're staying with her 24-7 until she's through her tests and the all-clear is given.  The image below show some of the healing from where she had hemorrhaged; super painful stuff!

The area of the hemorrhaging that is now in the healing process

Update Sunday, January 21^st, 2018

Kristy is stabilized and moving out of ICU tonight, Sunday, January 21st, 2018!

Kristy has been stabilized, and will be downgraded from intensive care sometime tonight.  There is a lot to share, and I will update the blog when I have time, but for now, thank you for the prayers and wonderful comments!  We love all the lovely and wonderful friends and family we have!

Update Friday, January 19 & 20, 2018

Kristy full of hope Friday morning at check-in

Kristy’s 3^rd & 4^th surgery took place today. Technically, she was only supposed to go in for a single surgery at 7am.  She went back to the O.R. at 10am, and at 1:30pm, Dr. Garg told me that though she was in her room, he was not pleased with the way the tube looked on the post-op scan. He made the decision to take her back into surgery again. This time, they entered through the left femoral artery, because the right side was already used for the morning surgery and could not be used again.  She came out of the surgery joking with her anesthetist.

After the first surgery today, Dr. Garg told me of a blood clot in one of Kristy’s abdominal arteries.  At about 5 pm, Kristy’s neck started swelling, and within a short time, Dr, Garg and several medical staff wheeled Kristy back down to surgery for a 3^rd time.

Placement of the 2nd tube

The scariest moment for us was when we were told that she was leaking venous blood near her carotid artery, and they applied AED pads in preparation for any emergency. They determined that the bleeding had subsided at this time, and decided to observe her before further invasive surgery.

As of the morning of Saturday, January 20^th, her neck is still swollen, and we are awaiting Dr. Garg’s next directions for Kristy. Risk factors at this time include stroke and pulmonary embolism.

The embolism about which we are concerned

We know that life is precious, and we have had to face a full range of possibilities.  Gratefully, Kristy is with us at this time, and we continue to feel confident that Kristy’s medical attendants will get to the root of these concerns.  

We have no idea what is next, but we remain hopeful. We are grateful for all of the thoughts and prayers!

UPDATE Wednesday, December 20, 2017:

Kristy had her second surgery today. As you will remember, she has three aneurysms. The first was taken care of through open cranial surgery. The 2^nd, today, is being done through her femoral artery. They had originally planned to take care of the second aneurysm on the same side as the cranial surgery (Kristy’s right side). However, some continued swelling on that side of her brain has changed the plan, and Dr. Garg has decided to do the surgery on the other side today (Kristy’s left side). 

This depicts the "Stent" or "Tube".  No Coils were used.

The actual "Tube" is indicated in this image.  The dark spot in the middle is the Aneurysm

Dr. Garg explained the procedure and everything has gone according to plan. She is resting well and is expected to be out of the hospital on Friday.  We are planning to have a wonderful Christmas holiday with Mom at home. If things go well, we will have the final surgery sometime in late January or early February.

Thank you for the continued thoughts and prayers for Kristy and our family!

UPDATE Wednesday, November 22, 2017:

Happy Thanksgiving!  While we wish Kristy were healed completely, as you can see, her spirits are good!  God bless all who are in need, and who have put so much into her recovery; whether through prayer, or just a kind thoughts and actions, it is the same.

Kristy is coming along well and looking forward to Thanksgiving!

UPDATE Thursday, November 9, 2017:

November 9, 2017 at the Orlando, Florida Temple

Kristy continues to improve daily. She attended church on Sunday, November 5, 2017, and received sacrament in the foyer.  After that, she had Theron drive her home.  Answering the loving questions from friends and members is still difficult for her.

We drove over to the Orlando Temple on November 8 at about 4pm.  We took the photo above while there.  Kristy wanted to stay for a youth activity at 6:30pm, but decided to go home for some rest at about 6pm. 

November 29^th is the follow-up appointment with Dr. Gandhi.  I’m quite certain Kristy will receive a good bill of health, and we hope to schedule the remaining surgeries during the Christmas break.

UPDATE Saturday, October 21, 2017:

Kristy has chosen to give today's update herself! Watch the video at this link.  She is improving daily.

Kristy shares her gratitude after reading some of the comments

UPDATE Friday, October 20, 2017:

Kristy arrived home on Thursday afternoon; she is resting and doing a little walking.  It is miraculous that she is home barely 48 hours after coming out of brain surgery, a testament to all of the amazing love and prayers from thousands of friends and loved ones. 

Kristy is Home! Thursday Afternoon, October 19, 2017

Please don’t let her youthful and sweet countenance fool you.  She is grateful (as can be seen from her words in this video from just before her surgery on Monday) for the power of all the prayers and love that have been sent her way; but she continues to enjoy resting with her family. She says that the best way to help is just to love and be there for your family and neighbors.  Go out and meet a need for someone that may truly be in need. 

May God bless all that have put forth prayers and wishes for the successful surgery and rapid road to recovery for Kristy.

UPDATE Wednesday, October 18, 2017:

Kristy’s first night, post-surgery was long and difficult (the evening of Monday-Tuesday morning, October 17).  The medical staff kept her pain fairly well managed, however, she woke in pain every hour or so.  Usually some cool wash cloths and tender attention, and of course the necessary pain medication would get her more comfortable.  At about 3 am after having little rest, she was taken for a CT scan, and returned to the room at about 4am. More meds were given, and she slept until about 7am.

Shortly after 7am, I heard her call my name, and she asked for a diet coke, and something to eat.  She ate and drank, and smiled, and then happily fell back to sleep.  The rest of the family started arriving about 9am, and spent the day with her. She was not quite up to getting out of bed and trying to walk; but has been doing breathing treatments.

As of this morning (Wednesday October 18) she has had her morning meds, then her Foley and arterial lines were removed. Her first request was to eat. Physical therapy will be in to help get her up and walking. Thank you again for the love and prayers! 

The image below is so special to me, taken by Mom-Kathy as Kristy fell asleep last evening.  Thank you Kathy Richards for all you are doing!

Our Sleeping Angel, Kristy Egg

UPDATE Monday, October 16, 2017 Surgery Day:

Family Around Kristy Before Surgery

Kristy arrived at Orlando Hospital a little before 6:00 am, and we had just enough time in the waiting room for Kristy to record a sweet video of gratitude to our wonderful friends and family. We were invited into "pre-op" room #4, after which a parade of professionals came through and described exactly what Kristy was going to experience.

We were pleasantly surprised to see Dr. Gandhi, Kristy’s neurosurgeon at about 6:45.  He shared that he would do whatever he could to take care of all 3 aneurysms during this surgery. 

We were invited to go to the waiting room just before 9:00 am.  At 10:15 am, Crystal called from the operating room to update us that all is going well.  I could hear the sounds of equipment similar to the sounds of multiple dental drills in the background, and Crystal confirmed that these were the sounds of tools preparing Kristy’s head for brain surgery to repair her aneurysms.

At 1350 (1:30 pm), we met Dr. Gandhi in the consult room.  He informed us that the aneurysm was very complex, and involved the need for 2 clips; one for the larger (5mm+, requiring the application of an 8mm titanium clip) aneurysm, and another for a dangerously thin 1mm aneurysm on the opposite side.  This smaller aneurysm was described as being like a pimple, and could have burst with the slightest increase in pressure. He also provided some special “buffers”, using a material designed for protection for nerves and muscles in the vicinity of his placement of the titanium clips.

Provided the CT scan confirms proper placement and good recovery prognosis, it will be about 3 months before they attempt the repair of the other two aneurysms. This could give Kristy considerable time to recover from this successful, but difficult surgery.  We were told in the consult that she will have a black eye, some drooping of the eye, and effects the chewing muscle, which had to be removed and re-attached, and will take a little while to heal.

Dr. Gandhi had to craft a special plate for Kristy’s right temple, and said that despite his best efforts, it may look a little different when compared with the other side, but that her hair will certainly cover it.

Kids: Theron, Taylor, Hannah and Jordan with Kristy Post-Surgery

Kristy is healing well and will likely be in the hospital until the end of the week.  Her family is spending each waking moment with her.  We are so grateful for the prayers and kindness shown by everyone!

Dad Kevin and Kristy

Mom Kathy Richards TLC Post-Op

Special thank you to Kevin and Kathy, Kristy's awesome parents for always being there.

UPDATE from Monday, October 09, 2017:

Many have asked what to expect with a open cranial surgery.  Depending on your curiosity level, one or more of the following should help:

1. This is a quick read from a "head nurse" blog, and really lays out what a patient should expect from start to finish.
2. Our family watched a video from a young lady who had a similar experience to Kristy's in discovering her aneurysm.  Bear in mind, she's 17, so Kristy's recovery may or may not be similar.
3. For those that want to see what will happen, this a superb video of the surgery.

Original Post from Saturday, September 30, 2017:
WHILE THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE START OF A BAD JOKE (the title was meant to sound that way), Kristy really has a cranial aneurysm; actually 3 of them. Before laying the blame on me, or one of our children or even her students, read on for the details…

Kristy Egg was admitted to Osceola Regional Medical Center on Saturday, September 23^rd 2017. On Sunday, a cranial aneurysm was discovered.  Further tests have revealed that Kristy has 3 cranial aneurysms that may need to be treated independently of one another, and separated by several weeks’ time to allow proper recovery time between surgeries.

The process of diagnosis has been difficult and invasive in and of itself.  We are fortunate that these were found at this time; the prognosis is very good, and Kristy is resting and able to walk and be somewhat active. It is not expected that there will be any permanent damage.

We are using Orlando Neurosurgery, a firm based in Orlando which has performed more successful cranial surgeries in Florida than any other group. Dr. Ankur Garg was the neurology specialist that found the aneurysms after performing a cerebral angiography (through the femoral artery) on Wednesday, September 27^th. He set up a consult with his associates for the next morning.

On Friday, September 29^th, Kristy and I had a consult/meeting with the folks at Orlando Neurosurgery. Dr. Ravi Gandhi will be the surgeon. He spent about an hour explaining precisely why open-cranial surgery was advisable, and shared two methods of access; one above the eyebrow, and the other over the ear.  He explained the method of “Clipping” the aneurysm with a titanium clip.  This particular aneurysm is on a junction of 4 blood vessels, making it necessary to be “hands-on” type of surgery. 

It is possible that one or both of the other aneurysms may be clipped during the surgery; they will not know until they are operating for certain.  If the other aneurysms are not addressed and repaired at the time of this surgery, they will be done intravascular using “Coils & Tubes” 2 to 3 months afterward.

This will affect our family’s schedule for at least 12 weeks.  We thank you for your prayers and well wishes and promise to reach out with additional news and needs.

This surgery has been scheduled for Dr. Gandhi’s earliest open date; October 16^th, 2017.

The Miracle Explained

Dr. Gandhi said that Kristy’s symptoms have nothing to do with the aneurysms.

We have gratitude for the thoughts, prayers, and help from all of our friends and family. We are amazed at the miraculous events that allowed us to discover these aneurysms before they ruptured and caused permanent damage or worse to Kristy. 

After Kristy described the symptom of blurred vision, numbness to half of her body, and a general disconnected feeling with regard to control of her motor skills, Dr. Gandhi said that he is “superstitious” that people are sometimes cued or prompted with bizarre symptoms that have no connection to these life-threatening aneurysms, an occurrence he attributes to what folks might call “Divine Intervention”.

Kristy and I are quite certain that our Heavenly Father has blessed us with an extension of our time together on Earth with our family.  We feel deep gratitude for this blessing in our lives.  While we know that our family relationships are perpetuated eternally, it provides us with a renewed desire to use our time together here on Earth in the best ways possible.

Kristy’s “Stroke-Like” symptoms have not returned.  However, her vision is still blurry.  That I can handle; I’m setting up an appointment to have her eyes checked.

By Small and Simple Things are Great Things Brought to Pass…

How People Can Help:

The best way to help is just to love and be there for your family and friends.  Go out and meet a need for someone else.  We are fine, and prefer to stay in our family routine, as much as possible.

You can leave comments here or on Facebook, Kristy loves to see them, but as most of her friends know, she doesn’t really like to talk about it.