Dana's Brainstem Surgery Recovery
Donation protected
Hello friends,
I'm raising funds to help with my sisters extensive recovery and rehabilitation from brain surgery.
A brief history: Dana was born with a vascular malformation in her brain stem. It was diagnosed as Cavernous Angioma in 2007 and recommended surgery for the removal of the hemorrhage in a delicate space of her brain stem surrounded by nerves. Her first suboccipital craniotomy surgery was performed in 2011, but the surgeons were unable to remove all of it without risking her life. After years of healing Dana had to return for a second surgery this past April. The neurosurgeons were very aggressive in removal and she's suffered more deficits and a longer road to recovery after this surgery. It brings me tears of relief to say that Dana's post op MRI has revealed that the cavernous angioma has successfully been removed.
Unfortunately, Dana's insurance benefits have been exhausted. As we know medical costs can be overwhelming so we are reaching out for support through her recovery. She has been in an aggressive PT/OT program at the Children's Hospital in Detroit, MI. She has 9 sessions per week and will need a minimum of 5 more weeks of therapy at $1100 per week. We are hoping to collectively raise $8000 to finish Dana's treatment. Any financial support would be deeply appreciated.
Current deficits: Double vision, right eye lateral palsy, left facial palsy, complete/ full body left sided weakness and numbness, difficulty eating/ chewing/ swallowing, depth perception impairment, proprioception impairment.
Current PT goals: Working on balance and body coordination . Strengthening left side. Working towards ability to walk on her own.
Current OT goals: Working on eye/hand coordination and strengthening of left hand. Eye exercises to get her right eye moving again. Strengthening eye muscle and triggering nerve/ movement.
Speech Therapy goals: Work on strengthening the facial nerve on right side, using electrical pulse devices (Right side of face is frozen). Practicing chewing and swallowing. Mouth/ lip exercises.
Dana is still in need of a lot of therapy in order to recover. She desperately wants to move through this healing process and return with shining strength to her life, family, and finish her neuroscience program at Michigan State University.
From the depths of our hearts we thank you for all of your support and love.
I'm raising funds to help with my sisters extensive recovery and rehabilitation from brain surgery.
A brief history: Dana was born with a vascular malformation in her brain stem. It was diagnosed as Cavernous Angioma in 2007 and recommended surgery for the removal of the hemorrhage in a delicate space of her brain stem surrounded by nerves. Her first suboccipital craniotomy surgery was performed in 2011, but the surgeons were unable to remove all of it without risking her life. After years of healing Dana had to return for a second surgery this past April. The neurosurgeons were very aggressive in removal and she's suffered more deficits and a longer road to recovery after this surgery. It brings me tears of relief to say that Dana's post op MRI has revealed that the cavernous angioma has successfully been removed.
Unfortunately, Dana's insurance benefits have been exhausted. As we know medical costs can be overwhelming so we are reaching out for support through her recovery. She has been in an aggressive PT/OT program at the Children's Hospital in Detroit, MI. She has 9 sessions per week and will need a minimum of 5 more weeks of therapy at $1100 per week. We are hoping to collectively raise $8000 to finish Dana's treatment. Any financial support would be deeply appreciated.
Current deficits: Double vision, right eye lateral palsy, left facial palsy, complete/ full body left sided weakness and numbness, difficulty eating/ chewing/ swallowing, depth perception impairment, proprioception impairment.
Current PT goals: Working on balance and body coordination . Strengthening left side. Working towards ability to walk on her own.
Current OT goals: Working on eye/hand coordination and strengthening of left hand. Eye exercises to get her right eye moving again. Strengthening eye muscle and triggering nerve/ movement.
Speech Therapy goals: Work on strengthening the facial nerve on right side, using electrical pulse devices (Right side of face is frozen). Practicing chewing and swallowing. Mouth/ lip exercises.
Dana is still in need of a lot of therapy in order to recover. She desperately wants to move through this healing process and return with shining strength to her life, family, and finish her neuroscience program at Michigan State University.
From the depths of our hearts we thank you for all of your support and love.
Organizer and beneficiary
Darcey Ruff
Organizer
Okemos, MI
Dana Reichenbach
Beneficiary