Brandi’s Light of Hope

The world has gone dark for a devoted young mother who loves to watch her three boys play soccer. Unexpectedly blind since a surgery to remove a brain tumor, Brandi longs to see the precious faces of her sons again.

Brandi Edwards—a beautiful wife and mother of three living outside of Nashville, Tennessee—is a friend known to many as a school volunteer and devoted soccer mom. Brandi and husband Jamie, a critical-care paramedic for a local fire department, have made a great impact in the community through their kindness and desire to serve others. Brandi has made it her purpose to raise their sons to be responsible, have respect for others, and know that they, too, have a purpose.

In January of 2023, Brandi began experiencing blurred vision and decreased color recognition in her left eye. Several months of appointments led her to an ophthalmology specialist, where an MRI showed a tumor on the left optic nerve. She was referred to a neurosurgeon, who determined it was a meningioma that was also compressing the pituitary gland and pituitary stem. While this type of rare tumor is generally benign, total removal is required to lessen the chances of return.

Doctors performed a half craniotomy to the right temporal area on August 21. Brandi’s neurosurgeon happily reported that the 6- to 7-hour surgery went as planned and that the large majority of the tumor was removed. During surgery, doctors discovered that the benign tumor was wrapped around the right optic nerve, which was unexpected.

As Brandi began to wake from anesthesia, her vision was clear in both eyes! She was able to read name badges, count fingers held in front of her, and visualize facial features. She recognized Jamie as he walked toward her in the recovery area. Clear vision in both eyes is what everyone had hoped and prayed for. No one could have anticipated such a rapid decline in the days to come.

Brandi began to lose peripheral vision in both eyes over the next 4 to 6 hours after surgery. Over the next 3 days, her vision continued to darken. The morning following discharge, Brandi awoke to darkness. She had completely lost sight in both eyes. The neurosurgeon shared that vision changes are typical after this magnitude of surgery. Brandi’s vision remained dark in the following days. Worry of permanent vision loss led Brandi and Jamie to the ophthalmology specialist. They discovered that her vision loss was abnormal and needed immediate treatment. Brandi underwent further testing and treatment in the hopes of restoring her eyesight. Brandi and Jamie learned that the possible source of her vision loss may be due to restricted or reduced oxygen to the optic nerves and an unknown amount of atrophy. Brandi’s doctors have been unable to definitively determine what led to such rapid loss of vision.

Brandi and Jamie continue to search for answers by obtaining second opinions, newly discovered treatments, and therapies. Their medical expenses continue to increase, as insurance does not cover treatment deemed as elective or experimental. Treatments that are covered by insurance are limited to a certain number of visits. They hope to connect with physicians at institutions such as Emory Eye Center, Johns Hopkins, and Mayo Clinic, which will require travel outside of Tennessee. Their journey to completely restore Brandi’s eyesight may also lead to international travel, which will likely include lengthy stays away from home. There is no way to predict the full extent of medical and travel expenses.

Brandi and Jamie are completely heartbroken. She feels that her purpose of raising their boys has been taken away. Brandi’s immense love for her family is evident to all who know her. Through your support in the form of prayers, financial donations, or medical assistance, help us offer the light of hope in her journey toward healing.