Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
An Australian model and influencer says she is struggling to comprehend the possibility of losing her father after he suffered a serious brain bleed in Thailand this month — less than two years after her mother died of cancer.
Casey James, who is the co-founder of makeup brand Copini Beauty, took to social media on Friday to share that her dad suffered an epileptic seizure, fell and fractured his skull earlier in August.
He was found two days later, alone and unconscious in his hotel room.
The medical episode was caused by a brain bleed brought on by a previous brain injury he received following a motorcycle accident two years ago.
He has been in a coma for 12 days and remains in critical condition in an intensive care unit at a Bangkok hospital.
James, an only child, now faces the tragic possibility of losing both her parents after her mother died from cancer less than two years ago.
“There are moments in life when everything changes with a single phone call. I know that feeling all too well,” she said.
“The thought of potentially losing both of my parents within two years is something I am struggling to put into words.”
The 28-year-old received the heartbreaking news about her dad from the Department of Foreign Affairs and immediately flew to Thailand with her husband Warren Ginsberg to be by his side.
She said he suffered a “sudden and serious bleed” between his skull and the outer protective covering of his brain.
“A large blood clot was putting immense pressure on his brain, causing severe swelling and a shift in the brain,” she said.
“He required emergency brain surgery, and part of his skull had to be removed to relieve the pressure and swelling.”
Within 12 days, her dad has undergone multiple emergency brain surgeries and is being supported by a breathing tube and receiving 24-hour care from a neurological team.
James has been hit with huge medical costs, and to help lessen the blow, her cousin Bridgette Pereira set up a GoFundMe calling on the Australian community to rally around the family.
“We have already incurred more than $135,000 in medical expenses, including the cost of multiple emergency brain surgeries and ongoing ICU treatment,” James said.
“The cost of keeping Dad in the ICU is approximately $50,000 per week, and the cost of transporting him safely home to Australia is expected to be around $500,000.
“These figures do not include the long-term care and rehabilitation he is likely to need once he is home.”
The GoFundMe has already raised more than $60,000 within 19 hours.
All donations will go towards James’ dad’s ICU treatment, hospital expenses, medical evacuation to Australia, rehabilitation and ongoing care.
James said she is “taking things one day at a time and hoping and praying for a miracle”.
PerthNow has contacted James for comment.
