Lois, 72, had just come home from a class at her local library last August, when she experienced an excruciating headache.
“She was bent over in pain; it was clear she was in a great deal of distress,” said her husband, Dr. Geoff Morris, a semi-retired dentist who spent much of his career at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. “I asked her if I should take her to the hospital, and she couldn’t even speak.”
Geoff called 911, and paramedics arrived within minutes.
“Based on her symptoms, they knew to take her to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, even though there was another hospital that was closer,” he explained. “From the moment we arrived in the emergency department, we received excellent care from every doctor, nurse, therapist and staff member we encountered.”
Lois was diagnosed with a ruptured brain aneurysm. Her care team quickly took action to stop the bleeding.
“We had an incredible outcome; the bleed in her brain was a large one,” said Geoff. “We are so appreciative of all the people who cared for us. They all have lives outside of the hospital, but they set all of that aside to put 100 percent of their focus on caring for Lois.”
Geoff remembers seeing his wife awake for the first time.
“I had spent the first 40 hours at the hospital and went home to sleep and shower,” he recalled. “When I came back in the morning, she was sitting up, eating and talking. I just lost it.”
“Everyone did a superb job of taking care of me and supporting our whole family, including our children and grandchildren,” added Lois.
Lois spent three weeks recovering in the hospital. To show their gratitude for the life-saving care she received, Geoff and Lois decided to give back. They had a Caring Bridge page and collected small gifts to distribute to the staff, but they also made a larger donation that was matched by Geoff’s current employer.
“We were so blessed to have been cared for by the experts in the Advocate Lutheran General neurology department,” said Geoff. “In honor of the entire staff, we gratefully wish to support this critical life-saving resource in the community.”
Lois experienced just a few side effects and complications during her recovery, including double vision and a buildup of fluid in her spine. Now 73, she’s fully recovered and focusing on getting back to normal with a renewed appreciation for life.
“We both feel so fortunate to be on the other side of this,” she said. “We don’t take anything for granted.”
How you can help
The Center for Neurosciences at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital is supported by generous donors like Geoff and Lois.
“Because of the intensive care the staff provided, I got my wife back,” shared Geoff. “It wouldn’t have happened without Advocate Lutheran General.”
Please make a gift today.