Michelle Marie Haas Rose is the kindest, selfless, and loving person that we know. Her M.O was to always put everyone first. If you were to meet her for the first time, it would only take 5 minutes before you felt that you’d known her forever. She does not have the word “stranger” in her vocabulary. As her children, we are biased, but we know her friends and family would agree that she makes people’s lives better, just by being herself.
On April 15th, our mother suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. While rarer than an ischemic stroke, they are much deadlier. A hemorrhagic stroke is a life-threatening emergency caused by bleeding in the brain. Unlike other types of strokes that result from blockage, a hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures, leading to bleeding that puts intense pressure on the brain and damages it’s cells.
Knowing something was off with herself that morning, she was able to get ahold of 911 and was rushed to St. Joseph’s hospital in Orange. We arrived at the hospital as a family that morning to our mother in critical condition with the nurses doing their best to stabilize her. There she received life-saving brain surgery, due to the pressure building from the blot clot. The ER doctor prepared us for the worst, letting us know her chance of survival was slim. Miraculously, her surgery went as well as it could’ve in the words of the Neurosurgeon. She went on to spend weeks in the ICU, fighting to recover- being supported by an EVD, a breathing tube, a feeding tube, and IV drips.
Michelle spent the first week in the ICU in a medically induced coma to encourage healing of the brain. She was administered sedatives that allowed her brain to rest. Slowly but surely, the sedatives were lessened day by day and our family was able to witness the moment she was able to open her eyes again.
Upon discharge from the ICU, she was moved to the Intermediate Care Unit at St. Jospeh’s where some of her cognitive functions and physical movements showed signs of improvement. She started to show emotions through facial expressions when familiar faces of friends and family would come to visit her, and when she’d listen to some of her favorite music. Michelle would go on to spend weeks in the Intermediate Care Unit making small but valuable signs of improvement.
Now in June 2025, Michelle resides in a rehabilitation hospital, where she is fighting every day to come back to us. Small wins have occurred- we’ve celebrated the EVD removal, the tracheostomy removal, and her being able to say a couple of words at a time. But, she still has a long road ahead of her.
The road ahead is uncertain and will be difficult, she may face long term challenges such as partial paralysis, difficulty speaking, memory loss, and changes in her cognitive function/personality. Recovery can take many months or even years and will require intensive medical care, rehabilitation, and constant support. Michelle will go through speech, occupational, and physical therapy so that she can learn how to do all the things we take for granted, such as walking, eating solid foods, and speaking in full sentences.
We want to ensure that our mom gets the best possible care and continue to be her loving, thriving, effervescent self. This incredible woman has always put others first, and we want to return that same love to her in this challenging time.
Donations will go towards rehabilitation costs and in-home care for Michelle. She was meant to survive this tragic event, and we need your aid in helping her come back to herself. She truly is the strongest woman we know, and there isn’t a shadow of a doubt that she will prevail through her life’s toughest obstacle.
Any amount that you can contribute is greatly appreciated. We thank you all for taking the time to read Michelle’s story and for all the love and support we have received.
