Ashley Harris, the wife of Chargers defensive lineman Tommie Harris, has died at the age of 29, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The 29-year-old entered a hospital in Norman, Oklahoma of Friday, where the couple was visiting, reportedly seeking treatment for a stroke or a brain aneurysm. On Sunday afternoon, family friend Bill Horn told the Sun-Times,"We are holding on for a miracle," but Harris died later that evening.
According to the Daily Mail, the couple, who had two children, were married on New Year's Day this year and planned to hold a wedding reception in Oklahoma.
Tommie Harris played college football for the University of Oklahoma and was the 14th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, signing a four-year, $40 million contract with the Chicago Bears. He was released at the end of the 2010 season and moved to the San Diego Chargers last September.
"Tommie has been overwhelmed by the support of his former teammates, the Bears organization and the city of Chicago," Horn told the Chicago Sun-Times. "Please continue to pray for him as he and his children grieve the loss of his wife."
The funeral for Ashley Harris will take place in New Orleans where she grew up on Friday, NBC Sports reports.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF AN ANEURYSM?
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of an aneurysm can vary, depending on the type and stage of rupture. Here are their guidelines, though they advise seeking immediate medical attention if you develop a sudden, severe headache.
Ruptured aneurysm
A sudden, severe headache is the key symptom of a ruptured aneurysm. This headache is often described as the "worst headache" ever experienced. Common signs and symptoms of a ruptured aneurysm include:
- Sudden, extremely severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stiff neck
- Blurred or double vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Seizure
- A drooping eyelid
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion
'Leaking' aneurysm
In some cases, an aneurysm may leak a slight amount of blood. This leaking (sentinel bleed) may cause only a:
- Sudden, extremely severe headache
A more severe rupture almost always follows leaking.
Unruptured aneurysm
An unruptured brain aneurysm may produce no symptoms, particularly if it's small. However, a large unruptured aneurysm may press on brain tissues and nerves, possibly causing:
- Pain above and behind an eye
- A dilated pupil
- Change in vision or double vision
- Numbness, weakness or paralysis of one side of the face
- A drooping eyelid