It is with shock and sadness that we must report that Linda Wagar suffered a burst brain aneurysm on Tuesday Oct.6 and is now in the neural ward at the Ottawa Civic Hospital.

We have set up a GUESTBOOK where you can leave your encouragement for Linda to read when she recovers.

Jane Roos of the Canadian Athletes Now Fund has graciously launched a 100 Committee Members  program to help fulfill Linda's efforts to contribute to Canadian 2010 athletes, even as Linda 'sleeps'.
Please click http://canadianmarathonstories.com/dnn/NewsandEvents/100CommitteeMembersCANFund/tabid/166/Default.aspx

See the article in the Ottawa Citizen newspaper:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Time+help+runner+with+heart+gold/2091358/story.html

Linda’s condition is slowly improving but it will take many months for her to recover. In the first week she had two operations: to stem the bleeding and reduce the pressure on the brain.  In the second week she overcame many of the post-operative hurdles in terms of fluid and pressure on the brain and moderate 'neuro spasms'. 

However, although the sedative was reduced  after 2 weeks and Linda was able to open her eyes, she could not move them and was unable to move her body except for a bit of movement in the right hand and wrist.

On Nov 12 Linda had a 3rd operation to  implant a permanent catheter to drain away the cerebrospinal (water-like) fluid that had been accumulating in her brain and likely preventing her from sufficient gains in awareness and function. 

A few days later she has been able to move her right arm, her eyes started to move and track, she can move her eyebrows and once her breathing tube is removed, there is hope she'll be able to develop speech again. She does appear to be hearing and understanding us and is able to move her hand and  arm in response.

Hopefully in subsequent weeks I will be able to report increasing control and awareness and a complete recovery in the months.It can take 6-12 months of rehabilitation of both the brain and her body to get her back to where she was prior to Oct.6.

A hopeful prognosis would be for Linda will be awake and able to respond in the next few weeks, able to communicate and work on overcoming any deficits by January, return home by say, March and hopefully be fully recovered by spring or mid-summer.

With all the positive thoughts and prayers coming her way, she may surprise us  all with the speed of her recovery, but there won't be magical awakening one day and  return-home the next, like you might see in movies.

Your support and encouragement is appreciated. It will not be possible to visit her or send flowers etc for weeks or months.

We should be able to honour any book sales - with proceeds going to the Canadian Athletes Now Fund.
Click http://canadianmarathonstories.com/dnn/BuyTheBook/tabid/54/Default.aspx

EVEN better.  Jane Roos of the Canadian Athletes Now Fund has graciously launched a 100 Committee Members  program to help fulfill Linda's efforts to contribute to Canadian 2010 athletes, even as Linda 'sleeps'.
Please click http://canadianmarathonstories.com/dnn/NewsandEvents/100CommitteeMembersCANFund/tabid/166/Default.aspx

Thank you, Carl Wagar, husband
jcwagar@entrenet.com