Brave Journey: Gabrielle Mooney Shares Her Story Of Life-Saving Brain Surgery
Gabrielle detailed her health struggles and revealed that she “died” in the midst of a medical emergency.
Gabrielle Mooney; Photos via Instagram
Singer/songwriter Gabrielle Mooney, sister of Dan + Shay’s Shay Mooney, faced a traumatic medical emergency that led to a life-saving brain surgery. Now, she is bravely sharing her story for the first time ever as she continues to recover.
In a video shared on Instagram on Wednesday, June 28, Gabrielle recalled the traumatic situation and explained the events that led her to discover that she had been living with a large benign cyst on her brain.
Brain Surgery Story
“Finally sharing my brain surgery story! I can’t tell y’all how strange it’s been with recovery. Not being able to use the right side of my face properly has been a STRUGGLE,” she captioned the clip. ”However, I am so blessed. I love y’all and thank you Jesus for your never ending love. 💕”
In the video, Gabrielle described how she had traveled back home to Arkansas to visit her family when she suddenly found herself in a terrifying emergency situation.
“I had brain surgery in February, let’s talk about it,” Gabrielle began. “[I] was coming home to Arkansas for Valentine’s Day and got a horrible headache. I make it home and my mom finds me in the bathroom throwing up. I don’t remember any of this.”
She went on to explain that her family was unable to get an ambulance due to severe weather, so they were forced to call a “private ambulance company.” Upon arriving at the emergency room, Gabrielle’s family received devastating news.
“I Don’t Remember Any Of This”
“Again, I don’t remember any of this. They get me to Fort Smith, the neighboring hospital and I don’t remember this, but I died,” she told her followers. ”If it wasn’t storming they would’ve taken me to Little Rock and they did not have the equipment to intubate me onboard. So, God was with me on that.”
The “Come On In” singer then revealed that she had a very large cyst on her brain and was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, “Hydrocephalus is a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up within the fluid-containing cavities or ventricles of the brain.”
“They nicknamed me ‘grabby’ at Little Rock because I was ripping out my IVs and blaming it on Erica. The doctor said he put me in a case study because it was one of the biggest cysts he’s ever seen and the hydrocephalus and everything should’ve killed me and it did not,” Gabrielle continued.
In the time since the surgery, Gabrielle Mooney has been experiencing facial paralysis, leading to symptoms such as drooping and a lopsided smile.
”Still insecure about my smile because my face has not been the same ever since and I’ve had to do a lot of therapy for it,” she added.
Gabrielle concluded the video by graciously thanking her followers for their prayers and sharing scripture from the Bible.
Leaning On Her Faith
“Needless to say there’s nothing my God can’t do. Jeremiah 29:11 says ‘I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans that will prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope in the future.’ So whatever you’re going through right now just know that God has already seen it. He already knows. He already knows what the solution is. So put your trust in the Lord and know that things are going to work out and you’re going to be okay. I love you guys and thank you for all your prayers.”
She initially revealed that she had undergone brain surgery with her followers on April 6, 2023.
“So this is not something I’ve talked about until I knew I was good. I had brain surgery for a benign brain cyst almost 2 months ago now. I’m going to make a complete recovery, but wow y’all!” Gabrielle wrote at the time.
The news comes just two weeks after Gabrielle Mooney announced her engagement to Graylan Stone.
“I snagged me a good one yall 😻 IM ENGAGED! @gzstone can’t wait to spend my life with you 😘,” the bride-to-be shared alongside a several photos of the couple.
Her post raked in hundreds of comments, including one from her brother, Shay, who commented, “So freakin happy. 😢😍🙌❤️”
New Music
Gabrielle Mooney recently released a brand new song, “As The Blow Crow Flies.” The song finds the rising artist crooning over the age-old theme of a first love. She acknowledges the tranquility that stems from wishing well for the person who captured her heart, sending them off on their journey with a peaceful and grateful mindset, despite the impossibility of rekindling what once was.
This mesmerizing ballad, infused with Appalachian influences, captures the bittersweet yearning of unrequited first love. The title cleverly twists a beloved Southern phrase, showcasing the artist’s adeptness at crafting poetic narratives based on her own life experiences.
“I wrote this song with Danielle Blakey,” Gabrielle recalled in a press release. “I was in a reminiscent mood, and it’s about when you are young and in love you have all these hopes and dreams. What happens a lot of times is your paths do not cross at that time and you have to let the person go to do what they’re meant to do, and they also have to let you go and do what you have to do as well, and sometimes those paths never cross again. But in the back of your mind you’re thinking I hope they do, because young love is so strong and it’s very hard to leave behind – especially when you have those roots together.”
Mooney recognizes that both she and Danielle aimed to approach the song with a positive outlook on the conclusion of first love. They genuinely wished the other person well and focused on nurturing a friendship, rather than adopting a mindset of lifelong animosity.
Album Coming Soon
“I think it’s okay to give people permission to care and process letting go in a healthier way so they can still find peace within themselves,” she explained.
“As The Black Crow Flies” gives fans a taste of Gabrielle Mooney’s forthcoming debut album, Moonsong. A release date for the project has yet to be announced.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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