Brianna's Brain Tumor Recovery!

As some of you may know, over the past few years, Brianna has started to have various symptoms. It started with a random occasional tongue spasm that would cause her to slur words. Eventually, her balance started to get slightly worse over time, until she was no longer able to ride bikes, and even walking became a little difficult.

Four years ago, when the symptoms first presented, we started pressing her primary for insight and referrals. She didn't take her too seriously, but sent her to a neurologist to test for MS. After her MRI, she was basically just told, nope, no signs of MS.

She continued to push the issue of her symptoms with her primary, only to be basically led to believe she was overreacting and such.

This year, we finally convinced her to change her primary care physician entirely. The new primary was very concerned about these symptoms, lining up a battery of tests and referrals. It didn't take long until we got our answer.

On Friday, August 2nd, at about 3PM, it was discovered that she had a massive 3.5x, 3.5cm tumor exerting pressure on her brain stem, cerebellum, and many important nerves, causing all of her symptoms. After a few extended ER stays, we got fast-tracked to University Hospital main campus to get a pretty risky immediate brain surgery on Monday at 7am.

The surgery was long, Brianna didn't make it out of the operating room until about 2am. They were able to remove all of the tumor as far as we know from the latest MRI Scans. She still has a very long road to go, and will probably be in the hospital for quite an extended period of time. There were damage to the facial nerves causing trouble with facial movements, paralyzed vocal chords, closing of the left eye, and swallowing. She has had to undergo a tracheostomy to ensure her airway can stay clear and give her a decent shot at recovery.

Despite all of this, she has kept her amazingly beautiful spirit, and infectious smile.

We do not know the long-term implications. Only time will tell, for certain 100% deafness in the left ear, and probably some big balance/coordination implications, more so than those that already existed. Things are still touch and go at the moment, but Brianna is tough as nails, and I know she will beat this.

We will both have to take possibly extensive time off work to help her get through this battle. And we are still clueless on the possible astronomical medical expenses, so I figured we'd throw this up and give people who want to help a chance to donate. I know Brianna has brightened so many of our lives with her infectious smile, silly attitude, and unbreakable spirit. So let's give her a hand in her biggest battle yet and help guide her Viking spirit into overcoming this hurdle and come out kicking ass on the other side!