In her role as a caregiver for her elderly and unwell parents, Deborah Brown shouldered a multitude of responsibilities. Simultaneously, as the lead trauma investigator for the City of Chesapeake Child Protective Services in Virginia, she confronted severe cases of child abuse and neglect.
Amidst her already demanding commitments, Brown willingly embraced another responsibility—delivering a speech at the women’s day service at Covenant Fellowship Church.
Soon after beginning her address, Brown found herself repeating her words. Temporarily stepping back from the podium, she resumed, only to stumble over an audio speaker by the pulpit and collapse onto the floor. Those present, including Dorothy Overton, the women’s services minister who had invited her to speak, rushed to assist. Prayers were immediately offered, and it was evident that Brown was in distress.
Transported by ambulance to Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, Brown was later moved to DePaul Medical Center on that September day in 2017. Dr. John R. Baker performed an endovascular procedure to repair a ruptured blood vessel in her brain. She had experienced a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a form of stroke characterized by bleeding around the brain. The intervention, carried out approximately 14 hours after her collapse, successfully halted the bleeding around 2 a.m.
Following the procedure, it was determined that Brown had a second brain aneurysm, which had not ruptured and would be addressed at a later time. After an 11-day stay in intensive care, she spent 12 days in a rehabilitation facility. Her initial recovery was marked by impaired vision and cognitive abilities, which gradually improved. Six months later, she resumed work, albeit with certain limitations, driven by her passion for advocacy and child protection.
In the case of a ruptured brain aneurysm, the risk of death is roughly 40 percent, and the likelihood of enduring some level of brain damage is approximately 66 percent, even with treatment. Fortunately, Brown did not suffer significant enduring physical effects, aside from slight numbness and heaviness in her left leg, which she regards as a minor nuisance.
The other aneurysm was monitored for a year, leaving Brown anxious about the possibility of its rupture. This uncertainty was profoundly distressing. A decision was made in December 2018 to address the second aneurysm, this time through a surgical procedure that required opening her skull. Unlike the previous minimally invasive intervention, which utilized a catheter through the groin to reach the brain, this approach proved successful, and Brown’s recovery progressed favorably.
While reflecting on the past, she is unable to recall any premonitory signs before her medical emergency. It’s noteworthy that individuals with cerebral aneurysms preceding a rupture might experience symptoms like headaches or vision issues.
Brown had generally prioritized her overall health, attending yearly medical checkups, maintaining a watchful eye on sodium intake, and engaging in regular exercise. She cherished walking along the pedestrian paths of the Jordan Bridge. Yet, she believes that stress and insufficient sleep contributed to her elevated blood pressure, necessitating medication. Caring for her parents, her father coping with amputation and dementia, and her mother facing heart failure, exacted a toll on her well-being. “I carried the weight of everything,” she acknowledged.
Following the passing of her parents, Brown retired after an 18-year tenure in child protective services. Sharing her journey, she urges fellow caregivers to seek equilibrium in life and permit others to assist, enabling them to rest and tend to their own needs. She emphasizes the significance of self-care, advocating for physical activity and staying aware of key health indicators like blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels.
Among Brown’s new undertakings is her application to volunteer comforting newborn babies exposed to substances at a local hospital. She has also attended a class centered on healthy cooking and eating. While her path includes these fresh pursuits, she continues to relish walks across the Jordan Bridge.
“To express that I am blessed would be an understatement,” she affirmed. “We must prioritize the care of our bodies.”
