Team Madisyn
Donation protected
I have a beautiful 17 year old neice named Madisyn....she is truly one of the kindest, sweetest and smartest people you will ever run across. Madi is on the National Honor Society, she is an accomplished, competitive dancer, she is the best big sister that ever was....she is a great friend and an
all around super sweet girl......
Here is Madisyn's story...and why she needs your help....
During Madisyn's 7th and 8th grade years, she suffered "episodes" that could not be diagnosed despite several visits to doctors and specialists. These episodes occurred 8 to 10 times each day. She lost consciousness, became nauseous and was very fatigued. The doctor's diagnosed Madi with panic attacks. She was treated by seeing a behavior specialist. Despite the constant interference of these episodes, Madi was miraculously able to maintain her spot on the honor roll, participate school clubs and keep up with her rigorous dance schedule.
In October or 2013, Madisyn suffered 2 Grand Mal Seizures back to back while at school. After several days in Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and many tests, Madisyn was diagnosed with Epilepsy. Her life as she knew it was changed. She was started on anti seizure medication to get the seizure activity under control. Unfortunately, the first few medications were not successful. Madisyn was on a roller coaster of medication trial and error, titrating up and titrating down to find the right medication at the right dose...along with the trial came side effects to include the inability to concentrate, fatigue, nausea and allergic reactions.
As a result, Madi was removed from her 9th grade classes and placed in cyber classes so she could cope with the numerous side effects of her treatment regimen. Finally, a medication was found to seemingly work. She slowly worked her way back to the classroom. She was ecstatic to get some semblance of her teenage life back. As the seizures would resurface, medication would be adjusted. Madi was able to remain seizure free for 8 months. By the time her 16th birthday arrived, Madi was able to obtain her driver's permit. At last there seemed to be a light at the end of the rainbow...but a few short months later, the seizures returned and her permit was revoked. The medication adjustments did not seem to help. Madi continued to fight these seizures througout most of her junior year, all while keeping up emotionally, academically and physically. She remained on the honor roll, was Junior class President and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She also remained on her dance competition team. She was fighting to keep her life as normal as possible. She battled daily seizures and the aftermath that would exhaust her and cause extreme anxiety.
At this point, her doctor felt that surgery might be might be Madi's best option. Wanting a second opinion before commiting to surgery, Madi and her family made a self refferal visit to Cleveland Clinic last week. Madi underwent a weeklong battery of tests and imaging.
It was there that a answer was finally found....but this answer was hard to hear....
Madisyn was diagnosed with a brain tumor in her left, frontal lobe. The tumor needs to be removed and could potentially put an end to the debilitating seizures that Madi has suffered for 3 years.
Today, Madi and her parents met with the Neurologist and Neurosurgeon. A surgery date of 6 July has been set. Madi and parents have heard rave reviews about this surgeon and feel very hopeful that this could be the cure to rid Madi from her seizures....
but the steps that lie ahead are scary, and could be very costly.
Over the last 3 years Madi and her family have hosted numerous fund raising events to support The Epilepsy Foundation. Today, I ask that you consider making a donation that would be put directly toward Madi's medical expenses, and the potential purchase of a service dog, as recommended by her medical team, that would help Madi cope as she recovers from her surgery and the associated emotional repercussions of all of the above.
If you know Tim and Lisa, you know what great and giving human beings and parents they are. They have given so much of their time and money to help so many....
Today, let's help them help their little girl .... #TEAMMADISYN
all around super sweet girl......
Here is Madisyn's story...and why she needs your help....
During Madisyn's 7th and 8th grade years, she suffered "episodes" that could not be diagnosed despite several visits to doctors and specialists. These episodes occurred 8 to 10 times each day. She lost consciousness, became nauseous and was very fatigued. The doctor's diagnosed Madi with panic attacks. She was treated by seeing a behavior specialist. Despite the constant interference of these episodes, Madi was miraculously able to maintain her spot on the honor roll, participate school clubs and keep up with her rigorous dance schedule.
In October or 2013, Madisyn suffered 2 Grand Mal Seizures back to back while at school. After several days in Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and many tests, Madisyn was diagnosed with Epilepsy. Her life as she knew it was changed. She was started on anti seizure medication to get the seizure activity under control. Unfortunately, the first few medications were not successful. Madisyn was on a roller coaster of medication trial and error, titrating up and titrating down to find the right medication at the right dose...along with the trial came side effects to include the inability to concentrate, fatigue, nausea and allergic reactions.
As a result, Madi was removed from her 9th grade classes and placed in cyber classes so she could cope with the numerous side effects of her treatment regimen. Finally, a medication was found to seemingly work. She slowly worked her way back to the classroom. She was ecstatic to get some semblance of her teenage life back. As the seizures would resurface, medication would be adjusted. Madi was able to remain seizure free for 8 months. By the time her 16th birthday arrived, Madi was able to obtain her driver's permit. At last there seemed to be a light at the end of the rainbow...but a few short months later, the seizures returned and her permit was revoked. The medication adjustments did not seem to help. Madi continued to fight these seizures througout most of her junior year, all while keeping up emotionally, academically and physically. She remained on the honor roll, was Junior class President and was inducted into the National Honor Society. She also remained on her dance competition team. She was fighting to keep her life as normal as possible. She battled daily seizures and the aftermath that would exhaust her and cause extreme anxiety.
At this point, her doctor felt that surgery might be might be Madi's best option. Wanting a second opinion before commiting to surgery, Madi and her family made a self refferal visit to Cleveland Clinic last week. Madi underwent a weeklong battery of tests and imaging.
It was there that a answer was finally found....but this answer was hard to hear....
Madisyn was diagnosed with a brain tumor in her left, frontal lobe. The tumor needs to be removed and could potentially put an end to the debilitating seizures that Madi has suffered for 3 years.
Today, Madi and her parents met with the Neurologist and Neurosurgeon. A surgery date of 6 July has been set. Madi and parents have heard rave reviews about this surgeon and feel very hopeful that this could be the cure to rid Madi from her seizures....
but the steps that lie ahead are scary, and could be very costly.
Over the last 3 years Madi and her family have hosted numerous fund raising events to support The Epilepsy Foundation. Today, I ask that you consider making a donation that would be put directly toward Madi's medical expenses, and the potential purchase of a service dog, as recommended by her medical team, that would help Madi cope as she recovers from her surgery and the associated emotional repercussions of all of the above.
If you know Tim and Lisa, you know what great and giving human beings and parents they are. They have given so much of their time and money to help so many....
Today, let's help them help their little girl .... #TEAMMADISYN
Organizer and beneficiary
Nancy Lusty Murphy
Organizer
Baden, PA
Lisa Kovach
Beneficiary