Wyatt the Warrior- Brain Aneurysm Survivor

Wyatt the Warrior- Brain Aneurysm Survivor 7/14/16 Wyatt suffered a ruptured BA & was life-lighted to Vidant PICU for brain surgery, spending 49 days total in the hospital.

This is Wyatt's story, continued recovery, & journey of being a kid. Wyatt’s Story

On the evening of July 14, 2016, 6-year old Wyatt Garab started complaining of a really bad headache. Within the hour, he began to vomit and became lethargic. His whole left side stopped working. The ambulance came and rushed him to Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC. They immediately performed a CT scan, and the results showed that he had a bleed in his brain. He was then put into a medically induced coma and was life-flighted to James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC. Once he arrived, endovascular neurosurgeon Dr. Kanaan inserted an EVD drain to relieve the pressure in his brain. Additional CT scans showed that Wyatt had a ruptured ACA (anterior cerebral artery) aneurysm. He also had a blood clot in his brain. He was immediately taken into surgery early morning of July 15, 2016. The first surgery was performed by neurosurgeon Dr. Kanaan. During this surgery, Dr. Kanaan performed endovascular coiling to seal the opening of the aneurysm. The surgery was successful, and Wyatt was then taken into a second surgery. During the second surgery, pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Smith performed a craniotomy to remove the blood clot and part of his skull to allow the brain to swell. Wyatt survived both surgeries, totaling a little over 8 hours in the operating room. The next 3-4 days were critical in Wyatt’s recovery. He was placed in PICU on life support. Doctors and nurses prepared us for the worst. We were told that there was no guarantee that he would live, and if he did, there was possibility of significant brain damage. Miraculously, Wyatt survived and was taken off the ventilator after 10 days. After 15 days in the PICU, Wyatt was stable enough to be moved to the pediatric floor. He spent 7 days on the pediatric floor, then was discharged to in-patient pediatric rehab. He spent 26 days in rehab, learning how to walk, talk, eat, and swallow all over again. On August 31, 2016, 49 days later, Wyatt was discharged to go home! Four months later, the week of Thanksgiving 2016, Wyatt was taken back into surgery to have his skull piece put back on. He spent three days in the hospital and was discharged to go home the day before Thanksgiving. Wyatt’s recovery has been nothing short of a miracle. We have been told by his doctors and nurses that he is one in a billion, and that he has made one of the most miraculous recoveries they have ever seen. With just a brace on his left leg and a barely noticeable scar on his head, Wyatt shows little evidence of his battle. He was chosen as the 2017 Poster Child for Children’s Miracle Network across Eastern North Carolina. Thank you, God, for our miracle boy, and thank you, James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network for saving our son’s life.

His dad said this is the only car he’s getting when he turns 16.🏎️🤣
10/25/2025

His dad said this is the only car he’s getting when he turns 16.🏎️🤣

Some things Wyatt said following his brain aneurysm still gives me chills.
10/08/2025

Some things Wyatt said following his brain aneurysm still gives me chills.

Wyatt: “Daddy, if you stare at the clouds long enough, do you see angels?”

Grant: “No buddy, I don’t.”

Wyatt: “Well, I do. Just look up Dad and stare at a spot, and angels will fly through.”



💙💙💙💙

Whew, it’s been a long day!Wyatt’s neurosurgeon said, “His MRI looks great!” and he gave a thumbs 👍🏼! (Keeping it short ...
08/21/2025

Whew, it’s been a long day!

Wyatt’s neurosurgeon said, “His MRI looks great!” and he gave a thumbs 👍🏼! (Keeping it short and sweet because I’m exhausted.🤪)

His check up went great. Wyatt is good to go until his next scan and check up in TWO years, when he will be 17 years old.🥰

We are Birmingham bound!It’s that time again for Wyatt’s MRI scan. Send some good vibes and prayers his way for no recur...
08/21/2025

We are Birmingham bound!

It’s that time again for Wyatt’s MRI scan. Send some good vibes and prayers his way for no recurring aneurysm.🙏🏼

Nine years ago today, our lives were changed forever. Everything I knew as normal was gone and I pleaded with God to not...
07/14/2025

Nine years ago today, our lives were changed forever. Everything I knew as normal was gone and I pleaded with God to not be finished with Wyatt’s story here on Earth. Some memories and moments are sometimes still difficult to process. But then I look at Wyatt now, and I just feel grateful. Grateful for how far he has come. Grateful to be his mom and grateful for second chances. He is a miracle and has one of the most extraordinary stories that I have been blessed as his mother to watch unfold. Not only has this day taught me to appreciate life more, but it has taught me to LIVE. The day Wyatt LIVED is the day I truly learned just how precious and fragile and short our lives are here on Earth. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about what Wyatt has went through, and there are still tough times, but that smile and his determination in life makes me feel forever grateful. Happy 9th Annie-Versary to our Warrior. Today is the day you LIVED! ♥️♥️♥️

Wow. That time when Grant turned my photo into a painting, not knowing until he picked it up that the painter’s daughter...
06/26/2025

Wow. That time when Grant turned my photo into a painting, not knowing until he picked it up that the painter’s daughter had passed away from a brain aneurysm.

Blessed to have been able to watch Wyatt get an 8th grade award in Mathematics. Math has always been a struggle for him,...
05/13/2025

Blessed to have been able to watch Wyatt get an 8th grade award in Mathematics. Math has always been a struggle for him, but he has been blessed with the most wonderful teachers this school year, Mrs. Robin Upton and Mrs. Whittle, who have been nothing less than amazing to our boy his 8th grade year! 💙🖤🤍

Yesterday was such an amazing day at the ‘Day of the Warrior’ event in Athens, GA, sponsored by BrightLight Foundation. ...
04/27/2025

Yesterday was such an amazing day at the ‘Day of the Warrior’ event in Athens, GA, sponsored by BrightLight Foundation. We began the day fishing with DGD outdoors and a few of the UGA football players at the beautiful Sugar Hill Outdoors.🎣

Next, we headed to Foley Field to watch the UGA baseball game.⚾️ It was a great game with a win for the dawgs!❤️🖤 After the game, the boys ran the bases, met players, took photos, and got autographs. The boys were also so excited to see Davis and catch up!

We had such a great time laughing, having fun, and making memories (we missed having Sawyer with us, but he was taking care of business at his baseball tournament!).

Thank you, Kearstin Schmidt and Jake Schmidt for everything you did for our warriors and their families to have one of the best days! We are beyond grateful to have been a part of ‘Day of the Warrior’, celebrating OUR warriors!💪🏼

8th grade player recognition at Wyatt’s last middle school baseball game at home.💙🖤🤍⚾️🥹
04/03/2025

8th grade player recognition at Wyatt’s last middle school baseball game at home.💙🖤🤍⚾️🥹

He was so nervous, but he passed on the first try!! 🚗💨
03/20/2025

He was so nervous, but he passed on the first try!! 🚗💨

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1600 7th Ave S
Birmingham, AL
35233

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