Petition Letter
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
RE: APPEAL TO DROP COURSES
1. HIST 207 Global Indigenous Histories
2. PSYC 370 Brain and Behaviour II
I am writing this appeal both to drop the two above courses and to maintain my academic record by removing the two F grades currently on my transcript.
The circumstances surrounding the challenges I faced during the summer term are as follows. In April 2014 I was in a hit and run accident as a pedestrian. The main condition treated was initially a right acute subdural haematoma. The most invasive procedure was a right frontoparieto-temporal craniotomy for evacuation of the acute subdural haematoma. I was initially taken to the Royal Free Hospital in NW3 London, intubated and ventilated. I was then blue lighted to the primary hospital in London for Neurosurgical procedures, the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel E1 London, where an immediate CT and emergency surgery was first performed. I was then put into induced coma, revived and then kept inpatient for three weeks while friends and family (who flew over) supported me. During this period I developed epileptic fits, initially occurring at a rate of 40 of the time each day. This was managed by high doses of Phenytoin and Levotiracepam (Keppra) which I am to maintain until the brain has healed.
At first I believed I could power through the courses, and appealed to my professors to allow me to try (sending both the medical notes attached). Though they were reluctant and thought I should focus on recovery, I was determined to complete the work I set out to do with Queen¿¿s and still consider myself to be a dedicated student despite the challenges that have come my way. What I was unaware of at that time was that a large pustule was growing in the back region of my brain ¿¿ the full details of which I have requested through a central office at the hospital that I was eventually admitted to in June. I realised the severity of the symptoms suddenly in the early morning and made my way to the closest friend who could help at 3am. I was losing control of certain faculties.
In June 2014 I was admitted to St. Mary¿¿s Hospital, Paddington W2 London. Again I had care from friends and someone flew over from the US for the duration of the next set of procedures. Another set of CT scans, craniotomy and Burr holes were used relieve the swelling and revealed the pustule (approximately the size of a tennis ball) was attached to my brain tissue and therefore could not be surgically removed. A longer stay with heavy medication followed as the neurosurgeons tried to shrink its size.
I will attach the supporting medical documentation which may be verified by calling the number of my GP, Dr. Rosenfelder (shown on the letters attached) or any of the aforementioned hospitals in London where I was treated.
Post discharge I took a week or so to recuperate but kept my academic advisor, David Youssef in the loop with the help of Neil Marshall, my next of kin, who also has access to all my Queen¿¿s accounts and server. David, I believe, has copies of the letters I will attach with this appeal. At this stage we were trying to find a way to remove me from the courses so that I would not have to undergo a formal appeal process which requires more time.
Not long after Neil and I re-established contact with David, I lost control of my right (dominant) arm, shoulder and hand which became completely immobile and extremely swollen. By the end of July I was back in hospital on a ventilator again. As my veins had collapsed after the second lot of surgeries in June they changed my regime to oral medication only used in extreme circumstances. The medication was too strong for my (then 88 pound) frame. The nerve and tendon damage caused by the change in medication made it difficult for me to take all the prescribed medications, causing the final admission. On the 9th of August I was finally discharged (without full recovery of the arm). Today I now have full use of my fingers and can raise my dominant arm above my head, though it is still healing.
I discovered on the 16th August (through David Youssef) that my easiest route at this stage would be to appeal in order to maintain my grade point average and my academic integrity.
I am keen to get back into my professional work as well as returning to part time study with Queen¿¿s in the fall.
I realise that this is a long letter and it has been a protracted road for me. I appreciate your consideration for all the complex factors that came into play. I have been told I am unusually lucky to have perfectly functioning organs after my last serum tests were done a week ago. I was told I also have a fully functioning brain after the TBI I endured. My last CT a few weeks ago shows the pustule has gone. I look forward to making to most of my recovery.
Sincerely
Winnie Wanyeki
(student no. 0404-4068)
RE: APPEAL TO DROP COURSES
1. HIST 207 Global Indigenous Histories
2. PSYC 370 Brain and Behaviour II
I am writing this appeal both to drop the two above courses and to maintain my academic record by removing the two F grades currently on my transcript.
The circumstances surrounding the challenges I faced during the summer term are as follows. In April 2014 I was in a hit and run accident as a pedestrian. The main condition treated was initially a right acute subdural haematoma. The most invasive procedure was a right frontoparieto-temporal craniotomy for evacuation of the acute subdural haematoma. I was initially taken to the Royal Free Hospital in NW3 London, intubated and ventilated. I was then blue lighted to the primary hospital in London for Neurosurgical procedures, the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel E1 London, where an immediate CT and emergency surgery was first performed. I was then put into induced coma, revived and then kept inpatient for three weeks while friends and family (who flew over) supported me. During this period I developed epileptic fits, initially occurring at a rate of 40 of the time each day. This was managed by high doses of Phenytoin and Levotiracepam (Keppra) which I am to maintain until the brain has healed.
At first I believed I could power through the courses, and appealed to my professors to allow me to try (sending both the medical notes attached). Though they were reluctant and thought I should focus on recovery, I was determined to complete the work I set out to do with Queen¿¿s and still consider myself to be a dedicated student despite the challenges that have come my way. What I was unaware of at that time was that a large pustule was growing in the back region of my brain ¿¿ the full details of which I have requested through a central office at the hospital that I was eventually admitted to in June. I realised the severity of the symptoms suddenly in the early morning and made my way to the closest friend who could help at 3am. I was losing control of certain faculties.
In June 2014 I was admitted to St. Mary¿¿s Hospital, Paddington W2 London. Again I had care from friends and someone flew over from the US for the duration of the next set of procedures. Another set of CT scans, craniotomy and Burr holes were used relieve the swelling and revealed the pustule (approximately the size of a tennis ball) was attached to my brain tissue and therefore could not be surgically removed. A longer stay with heavy medication followed as the neurosurgeons tried to shrink its size.
I will attach the supporting medical documentation which may be verified by calling the number of my GP, Dr. Rosenfelder (shown on the letters attached) or any of the aforementioned hospitals in London where I was treated.
Post discharge I took a week or so to recuperate but kept my academic advisor, David Youssef in the loop with the help of Neil Marshall, my next of kin, who also has access to all my Queen¿¿s accounts and server. David, I believe, has copies of the letters I will attach with this appeal. At this stage we were trying to find a way to remove me from the courses so that I would not have to undergo a formal appeal process which requires more time.
Not long after Neil and I re-established contact with David, I lost control of my right (dominant) arm, shoulder and hand which became completely immobile and extremely swollen. By the end of July I was back in hospital on a ventilator again. As my veins had collapsed after the second lot of surgeries in June they changed my regime to oral medication only used in extreme circumstances. The medication was too strong for my (then 88 pound) frame. The nerve and tendon damage caused by the change in medication made it difficult for me to take all the prescribed medications, causing the final admission. On the 9th of August I was finally discharged (without full recovery of the arm). Today I now have full use of my fingers and can raise my dominant arm above my head, though it is still healing.
I discovered on the 16th August (through David Youssef) that my easiest route at this stage would be to appeal in order to maintain my grade point average and my academic integrity.
I am keen to get back into my professional work as well as returning to part time study with Queen¿¿s in the fall.
I realise that this is a long letter and it has been a protracted road for me. I appreciate your consideration for all the complex factors that came into play. I have been told I am unusually lucky to have perfectly functioning organs after my last serum tests were done a week ago. I was told I also have a fully functioning brain after the TBI I endured. My last CT a few weeks ago shows the pustule has gone. I look forward to making to most of my recovery.
Sincerely
Winnie Wanyeki
(student no. 0404-4068)