RMS student undergoes brain surgery
By Ashley Cummins for the FCT
Oct. 2 at 2:45 p.m., Chrisie Bryant – wife of the late Andy Bryant – was at work when she received the call that is every parent’s nightmare.
“They said Haley had been in a bad car accident and they were taking her to Huntsville Hospital and to come quick,” she said.
Haley Bryant, 11, an honor roll student at RMS, was about to undergo surgery to repair her fractured skull. Haley was ejected from the vehicle during a collision on Highway 24 near Russell de Villa apartments. Haley, who amazingly was still conscious at the hospital, told her family she loved them before being wheeled away.
The next few hours would be the longest of her mother’s life.
When the surgeon finally came around, he said the surgery had taken an unexpected turn. “He said when they were operating, they located a plastic piece of shrapnel about five inches in size lodged in the back of Haley’s brain,” Bryant said. Haley was transferred to the Women and Children’s Hospital and placed in PICU immediately after recovery.
When her mother and sister were finally able to see her, they were filled with relief. “She was coming out of the anesthesia, and she was confused. She asked what happened. We explained that she had been in an accident and that she was going to be fine. It was such a relief to be talking to her, but I think I was still kind of in shock,” recalled her sister, Heather Bryant.
The prognosis was mixed. Haley would pull through but was paralyzed on her right side. The nurses said she would be in PICU for at least 72 hours to monitor the swelling, after which time she would be transferred to the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.
Over the next three days Haley continued to surprise her family and doctors with her strength and positivity. Bryant said the doctors felt confident Haley could regain a normal life but it would be a long road: “16 months of physical and speech rehabilitation at the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham … I don’t know what I’ll do. How can I work? I can’t leave Haley. She’s terrified of being alone,” Bryant said.
Friends and family have urged her to focus on Haley and trust God to pull them through.
“I prayed so hard that night,” Bryant said. “I prayed to God, please just let me take her home. I screamed to her father, ‘Andy, you better be taking care of our baby.’ I just prayed and prayed.”
She was not alone in her prayers.
News spread fast. A video of Haley surfaced immediately after the wreck – the poster urged viewers to #prayforhaley. The video received thousands of views before the end of the night. The Facebook community took hold and began sharing their statuses with hashtags #prayforhaley and #hopeforhaley. The statuses spurred numerous posts, cards and prayers. There was even a banner in the stadium at Friday night’s homecoming game.
A video was made and sent to Haley, and the senders were delighted to receive a video response. She was in a dark room to hide the extent of her injuries, saying “Thank you … I am better… Keep me in your prayers.”
By Oct. 4, nurses were able to help her sit up and eat. By Oct. 7, nurses were able to help her stand briefly with assistance. It’s been a whirlwind for Haley, but she remains optimistic and smiles through her pain.
The road is long, but her family is just grateful she is alive. “I told God I don’t care what we have to do. Whatever it is, we’ll get through – just let me take my baby home,” remembered Bryant. “God answered my prayers. I don’t know how we’ll get through it, but I know we will.”
Doctors are hopeful she will be ready for release by Friday. The family will return to Birmingham twice weekly. “She has to see her neurosurgeon and do speech therapy and physical therapy for the next 16 months,” said sister Heather Bryant. The family will also be doing some home renovations to make it handicap-accessible.
“We’ve had a lot of people asking about where to donate. Haley has a savings account at Alabama Central Credit Union. Any donations can be dropped off there. We appreciate every little bit,” said Bryant.
A benefit for Haley is in the planning stages. More information will be published as soon as it is available.
“Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers,” said Bryant. “If it weren’t for the Lord, my baby wouldn’t be here. She’s my miracle.”
