All Brain Injuries Matter

03/22/2022

Brain Injury Awareness Month

Brain injuries do not discriminate
Life can change in a split second.
This is my child whom I advocated for and who I never gave up on !! I sacrificed my life to keep him alive.
His injury was from a sinus infection.

I thought I would share my journey being it’s brain injury awareness month.
Its still very difficult to think about all that took place, it still to this day takes my breathe away

It was November 11, 2008 10pm at night when my phone rang. I was just going to bed for the night and had just got home from a business trip in Canada
I answered and it was a woman saying she was from UMASS and she stated my son was sick and was taken to the hospital rom work. She made it sound like it was the flu.
So I told my husband Toby I would go alone he was ready to go with me. I told him to stay home with my step-son I would be fine

That was the last time when my life was normal. When I got to UMASS I was brought into a room and I thought that was odd. A Doctor came in and told me my son was very sick and that they did not think he would make it thru the night. He said he had a brain bleed and that he was seriously ill. I said whattttt !!! you are mistaken I am here for Raymond Gould you being me to my son I want to see him !! he said Maam have a seat I said NO you bring me to my son!! I immediately was numb and in disbelief I called my husband , immediately called my mom and dad that’s my first reaction. I couldn’t breathe I couldn’t talk. MY dad answered and immediately knew something was wrong He said where are you I swear my Parents were there in 10 minutes. They were brought to me and my dad heled me.
That Doctor came back and brought us to my baby. He was hooked up to every kind of machine , he was intubated and not breathing on his own. I almost collapsed, again my Dad held me. I was numb I was having a very hard time accepting this but I was numb. I believe God numbed my nerves. I look back and I can say there was this peace crazy right Peace in the midst of HUGE STORM . I kissed my boy as he laid on this hospital bed with tubes everywhere.. I whispered mommy is here Ray I am here and I am not leaving you ever !! You fight
honey Mommy is right here. My mom started to cry and almost passed out my Dad prayed over my baby and told him Papa is here. Family starting to arrive to support me the room was filled with all us Goyette’s. A Surgeon appeared and said Mamma we need to get your son into surgery immediately to remove the pressure from the brain bleed I said WAIT who are you and what are your credentials (LOL) Can you imagine I’m asking this neuro surgeon who she was and how many of these surgeries she has done I wasn’t going to allow anyone to just cut open my son’s head and brain GOD I was a mess but yet I was still calm this feeling of peace. I asked this Neuro Surgeon before she left I wanted to pray over her hands . She allowed me. It was then I knew the greatest surgeon , the greatest Doctor himself was in control. He was in surgery forever it felt we didn’t know if he would even make it thru. All I knew to do was pray, I prayed God please don’t take my baby please God use him as your testimony !!

Hours past and my son made it through but they advised that he was very critical. My daughter was away in NC on vacation pregnant at that. I just wanted her with me !!Family and friends filled this waiting room. There were so many of us security was called. Ray remained in critical conditions he actually had to be brought back in again to have his skull removed to relieve pressure. From that surgery on it was an hourly / daily occurrence to be called into a room to advise they didn’t think he was going to make it. I would hide from them, so fearful to hear my name called. My insides literally shook. All I did was pray that’s all that calmed me down and gave me some sense of relief. I was advised I could not even touch him any touch caused his internal brain pressure to increase. Raymond’s intercranial pressures kept rising they had to literally freeze his body. He was on ice and they could only do this for so long . I could see the blood pooling thru half of his body it was so tormenting I could not help my Son and I had to put my trust in Doctors I did not know. Remember it was this same hospital that actually overlooked him. Ray went for help 2x times 2 weeks before he crashed at work. He was told he had TMJ and was sent home in the meantime people what they thought was a brain bleed was not it was a sinus infection that penetrated his brain and caused an abscess on his brain , what they thought was blood was infection. Raymond was very overlooked at this same hospitals ER. I will fast forward there was no improvement and they called me into a board room with my daughter 6 weeks later to say there was nothing else they could do. They told me he had only a 2 % chance of ever waking and they wanted me to sign papers to remove him from life support. I flipped out !! I said whattt are you kidding me that is my son in there you don’t stop you do what you have to do to keep him alive DO you hear me !! I said look that is your science talking MY GOD SAY DIFFERENT
It was from that day things started changing. I believe because I stood my faith GOD was working his mighty miracles, He answered my prayers , He has used Raymond and myself in a mighty way
He is using Raymond as a testimony to his grace and his words. He rewarded me for my faithfulness. The Doctors were in amazement to see the changes in Raymond.

I will end this here and continue later !! There is so much more to share of what I witnessed and saw with my own eyes I feel there are some people who need to hear our story , our journey Never Give Up Hope

07/31/2020

My Brain Injury Survivor ❤

07/31/2020

This COVID stuff needs to go away !!
Missing my son ( excuse my mask being upside down)

07/29/2020

Good morning prayer warriors !! Hope you all are doing well
I feel compelled today to share something's hope you don't mind
I know I shared a picture of my children who both were severely injured and in an ICU unit im.using that picture again.
I feel like I am to share from my heart something that i have experienced . I feel someone needs to read this. It's a little long so if it's too much just pass it by
I hope this blesses all of you in a mighty way

I believe there are millions of believers around the world that are asking the question is GOD still performing miracles today .
They know he is performing miracles but wonder how and if God can use them.
I believe we are in a season where God is really pouring out his glory over the earth
You know the Bible says in Mark 16 they went about proclaiming the kingdom, the Lord working with them confirming his work with signs, wonders and miracles
You do not have to be a preacher, a teacher, you don’t have to be any big title ( I’m not) he will use anyone who is willing and obedient and you will see what Isiah chapter 1 says
You are going to eat the good of the Land. Our Land is good people we just need to bring God back to it, just give God a try
I don’t have a big title, I’m not anything special or better than anyone else God used me. I believe I have the gift of healing I stood my Faith with both my children in front of Doctors, Nurses, Scientists, Trauma surgeons .
If you have ever been faced with a trauma or an emergency call you will surely relate. I received 2 calls in my lifetime that shook me to my core . Both my children were rushed by ambulance to trauma centers. I was called to speak on their behalf because both we on ventilators unable to speak for themselves ( I was listed as their Health Care Proxys)
Both very critical, both on the edge of death at any time. Every time something critical was happening I was getting calls, I had to approve each and every emergency surgery
My Son Raymond 3 emergency brain surgeries, My daughter April 4 emergency surgeries to repair internal injuries. Each and every time I was so sacred and sick to my stomach wondering if I was making the right decision. Before answering I asked the doctors on the other end many questions or sat in front of neuro surgeons and asked them many questions
I asked these professional surgeon how experienced they were in what they wanted to do to my babies
I asked how many of these surgeries they did
With my son I was at the hospital so after al my questions were answered I asked the Neuro Surgeon if I could pray over her hands- She was in amazement
Myself and my whole family who were present all prayed and laid hands on this surgeon ( I stood my Faith)
My daughter As soon as I got the call from the nurse on the side of the road I called out Jesus’s name and fell to my knees praying for protection , praying that God would hold her and keep her from harm. We arrived at the ER Andre was already there in waiting area but due to COVID I was not even allowed to see my baby, this shook me to the core more than anything ever in my life. I drove 1 hour and 40 minutes only to be told to leave.
I did not have a chance to see her or pray over her so I stood in the ER parking lot and just prayed in my car –My husband by my side trying to calm me .
I had to approve so many critical emergency surgeries, each one had so many risks of her dying on the table. I asked more questions but most importantly I prayed with that doctor on the other end of the phone before they went into the operating room. Prayer people is so powerful I am witness to how powerful it truly is.
Both my children know God, both have accepted him at a young age as their lord and savior. I didn’t think oh if something happens they will be in paradise NO I’m being honest I did not want to lose my babies , all I thought of was the scriptures I grew up hearing, that said ask and you shall receive, trust believe. God will give you the desires of your heart. I’m being honest people I am not what the world calls a Holy Roller I am a normal down to earth woman who believes in God, who believes he died on the cross for me, a woman who accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior Easter Sunday 1982. I couldn’t verse scripture to you for the life of me so I googled healing scriptures and would read then out loud over my sons body
I was finally allowed in to see my daughter the day after her accident- She was in the ICU on a ventilator, she didn’t even know I was there. The hospital approved 15 minutes
I drove 1 hour 40 minutes just to see her for 15. The most powerful minutes in my life. I walked in and immediately could not breathe , here was my baby, my rock thru rays critical days, my daughter who has suffered so much pain in life. It killed me to see her on the same machines I was so frightened of with Ray. I knew what everything meant on these machines.
She laid there so peaceful yet so broken. The nurse wanted me to sit I just couldn’t I had to touch her. Check her body like I did when she was born. I checked every limb and every finger
I kissed her hand, her cheek and I cried but then I could hear her voice saying Mom please be strong so I stopped and I prayed over her broken body. The nurse in the room had tears in her eyes. I went into prayer warrior mode !! Fear had no place in that room or in my mind. I claimed victory . I met surgeon after surgeon. My daughter was very critical and I had to fight to not let fear creep into my mind.
My reason for writing this is to tell you MIRACLES still happen daily, there is no better advertisement for the kingdom of Heaven than MIRACLES !! you don’t have to be someone with a title, you don’t have to have a big job or be looked at as someone important , YOU already are God thinks we are the greatest thing. We are important to him !! God will use the low of the lowest to bring glory to him. He loves each and every one of us.
I truly believe standing my faith and praying over my babies, I healed them. God rewarded me for my strong stand in my faith in HIM. Doctors requested a meeting on my sons status
They told me there is nothing more they can do for Raymond and wanted me to sign papers to remove life support. Can you imagine !! I was sitting around a board table with every doctor who was on board with rays care and they told me he only had a 2 % chance of every waking. I looked at them with a strange face and something arose inside my belly anger arose I said WHATTTT !! That is your science talking MY GOD says differently You do whatever you have to do to keep my son alive do you hear me !!!
These same Doctors said to me ( Ms Gould at the time, you are right only God can heal and save your son) < that night Rays stats were starting to change immensely
My son was literally frozen for 2 weeks to keep intercranial pressure from rising, His skull was removed to give the brain room for the swelling so he didn’t stroke.
All his numbers people were coming back, miraculously his body was turning a picky color instead of seeing the blood pooling halfway across his body. God was moving right in front of our faces. The Neuro Intensivist were shocked !!
My Daughter was rushed immediately into surgery upon arrival and being checked out, after this first surgery was completed each surgeon that worked on her called me ( there were 8 at once in this state of the art surgical suite she was in) 2 Cardiologist, Vascular, Trauma surgeons, many trauma orthopedic, maxofacial surgeons , hepatologist ( due to lacerated liver)
Each and every one of these Doctors said to me and my husband can attest Mrs. Maxwell I am a doctor of Science but I have to tell you something of a serious higher power took place at the scene of your daughters accident. I hate to say this but April should not be here she is here for a reason. Her thoracic Aorta tore she should have bled out at the scene. He said I have never seen this in the history of me being a trauma surgeon, her case is being used daily.. Her body miraculously created and encapsulated this tare and it stopped her from bleeding out at the scene
This just doesn’t happen. They also said for the impact and damage to her car she DOES NOT have a head injury or spinal cord injury that is rare !! All of these Doctors I prayed with not knowing any of their faith but they allowed me. One of the surgeons actually made a comment to April about her mother lol !!
With all that took place and I know you must have seen the pictures of her car, and know her car was on fire and glass everywhere Aprils face was never even cut, burnt, or bruised
Very strange but not to me GOD was ever present at the scene. It was orchestrated by his holiness, in fact an off duty paramedic fireman behind her, a trauma nurse behind him and a few seconds behind them an ambulance that was not even dispatched !!
There are signs everywhere my friends open your hearts and eyes and let God prove to you his goodness

Love you all for your love and support throughout the years it has kept me standing upright

Love you all

Carol

04/13/2020

Hi everyone hope you are all safe. Ray's home has been on strict lockdown . I hadn't seen him for 6 weeks. I went to his group home and got to talk to him thru his window!! Made my heart jump for joy .

04/11/2020

Hi everyone hope you are all doing well and are keeping safe. As you know ray lives in a home with 3 other housemates. This home was specifically built for brain injury clients. It has been extremely difficult for me his mom to not be able to see him. I've never not been by his side since his injury. RAY is very high functioning by the Grace of God but suffers from short term due to frontal lobe brain injury.
His home is runned by Seven Hills Neuro Care. I am amazed at the quick and thorough action they took to protect Ray and his housemates. Most recently they have gone further in action to the house being on lock down. 4 staff members will stay at the home 24/7 not leave at all and care for the clients . This amazes me truly and makes me feel so at peace knowing no one is leaving and coming back and forth into the home and chancing the spread of this virus.
Thank you Seven Hills

03/29/2020

Miracles do Happen

https://youtu.be/vkvg76d2WrM

Raymond Gould's Journey as a survivor of a severe acquired brain Injury from an untreated sinus infection

03/18/2020

03/18/2020

With the coronavirus epidemic my son's home has been quarantined . I am not able to visit my son at all for 2 weeks !!
I am full of anxiety over this.
All therapies have stopped physical, occupational and speech. These are what keep my son acclimated and most patients with brain injuries.
All day rehab facilities are closed also. So any change in his daily routine affects him immensely.
Please keep my Ray in prayer and myself . I pray in Faith not Fear
Thank you 💜

03/18/2020

Brain Injury Awareness Month
We never gave up hope !!

03/18/2020

I would love to hear your journey. Please feel free to post about your brain injury journey. Whether you are the caregiver or the survivor.
I welcome you all.

03/17/2020

Brain Injury awareness
It's time like this that make this Mama a nervous wreck. Ray's house is under Quarantine and I'm not able to see him. He gets very anxious of he doesnt see me or his sister April. Recovering with from a brain injury is lifetime work. Ray lives on a schedule, things need to be very consistant or he gets very anxious. Like things are out of sorts.
I Pray this Coronavirus goes away fast I miss my Son :(

03/16/2020

My son's brain injury was from a misdiagnosed sinus infection. The infection penetrated the brain causing an abscess which in turn caused him to stroke.
It is a very rare situation
His life is changed forever but I am so very thankful he is a live.
The journey is one I do not wish on anyone. BRAIN INJURIES are all different and the medical world a d care staff are still learning daily. Each injury can cause different affects in each person.
I have learned a lot thru my son's injury for sure, Inhave seen a lot of traumatic events, and loss.
All I can say is keep the faith miracles still happen 💜