#NoNorman “An unexpected health scare”

Hi my name is Patti, I am fundraising for my sister. “An unexpected health scare”#NoNorman The diagnosis on “Norman” the (meningioma tumor) brain tumor. What are the hats that Rebecca wears : she is a mom, a Grandma a sister, a cousin, Aunt and a friend. Rebecca has taken care of herself, physically, emotionally spiritually, and financially up until this time. Spiritually, she is strong, stronger than ever. Financially, she has worked 3/4 of her life, she works in the manufacturing industry.

   So let’s start her journey together. October 2021 Rebecca started losing her vision in her left eye. From the end of 2021 to 2023. She made many visits to the eye Drs office. She was told she had a macular pucker, and it would drop off.. (not) she went to a retinal specialist, (no) She had to intellectually push to find out on her own what was going on with her vision loss. (while working a lot of mandated hours) With being very persistent she scheduled with her family Dr.. the end of 2022. It ended up being a NP, she couldn’t get into her family Dr. She had an MRI because she was losing the sight  in her right eye now as well. After the MRI She was referred to a Neurosurgeon and a Neuro Ophthalmologist at IU Methodist Hospital- One of the largest hospitals in the state of Indiana 1 of only 4 regional level one trauma centers.    February 2023: she finally got in to see the specialist. She had a lot of MRIs and CAT scans and vision testing also blood work.

    So now we are at the end of February. She had her 1st surgery a major surgery a craniotomy she spent 2 days in intensive care on a ventilator. 3 more days in the hospital. Her surgery was supposed to be 6 hours long, It was 22 hours long.    The doctor Named the tumor “Norman” She said she had to give him a name he was very difficult. A lot nicer name, than what I have given it.   

   March until June Rebecca had many visits with the Doctors. She had to see a low vision doctor. Her family Dr. Also she had CAT scans & MRIs, blood work, Follow up appointments with her neurosurgeon and her Neuro- ophthalmologist.. at IU hospital.   
   
 On June 8th she had her follow up appointment,  we all thought everything was healed. During the appointment they found out that her incision was open and she had an infection. Also some of (Norman) the tumor was not removed in the first surgery and they believe it is growing. Within just an hour or so from the Doctor appointment, she was in Major surgery again. Having a craniotomy washout . The surgery at IU took three hours. They removed part of the left side of her bone flap. On 6/13 she is released.    

   She is home at this time, wearing her helmet. She is also on a very strong antibiotic. So until the Drs know for sure the new incision (same area as before ), is healed, then the third surgery  will take place.     Rebecca is going through some physical ailments at this time she has been exhausted, nauseated, and has headaches.  

    She had a follow up appointment on June 29th, three weeks later to have the stitches removed. With her current physical and medical condition, she is not able to work, also for some reason the company  she works for has not sent her a check since the 1st go around.  All of her bills are getting backed up, and she is in fear of losing her house, she has worked so hard for.    

   So why the wait, to put the bone flap back on: Conventionally, cranioplasty is delayed until refractory intracranial hypertension has resolved, the skin is well healed and vascularized, and systemic/cranial infections are treated; typically within 3 months. Recently, it has been shown that early cranioplasty after initial craniotomy resulted in improved recovery. But the surgery will be a higher risk for infection.   

    The prognosis is unknown. The surgeries are unknown and the treatments that remain for “Norman” She will be receiving a titanium plate.   

    So Rebecca‘s journey continues with Norman. There’s an appointment scheduled in August. The Drs will discuss the next step. She no longer wears a hat. She wears a helmet. (To protect her brain)    

    Thank you in advance for every donation. No matter the size. Rebecca can’t do this alone. This will give her hope and allow her to focus on healing.     We are thankful for the strength the fight, and Rebecca being humble enough, allowing me to post her journey . The donations will be used for medical expenses and unforeseen obstacles. #goawayNormanleaveRebeccaalone”