Donate to help Tianna laugh again!

Hello. My name is Amber Wente and I am fundraising for our lovely daughter Tianna to assist to pay for expenses related to her upcoming neurosurgery at Mayo Clinic.

Tianna was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation after 1 year and 9 months of doctor appointments, countless medical tests (CT’s , MRI’s, lumbar punctures, etc.) and horrible, sometimes debilitating headaches (brought on by laughing, coughing or sneezing). We finally received the diagnosis by the Neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic of the Chiari Malformation and surgery is scheduled for her in less than 2 weeks.

Tianna will be having a suboccipital craniotomy and C1 laminectomy with a commercially available patch graft. Basically, removal of part of the base of her skull and removal of a section of the top vertebrae down to the membrane, and then covered with a patch.

Her particular case is pretty unusual as her skull does not show the exact malformations that a typical Chiari patient would show, but it does show that her brain is being pushed down through the opening at the base of her skull and extending through the foramen magnum, pushing on her spinal cord. This is one of the reasons it took so long to get a final diagnosis, as they had to rule out other possibilities such as a Cerebral Spinal Fluid Leak.

We are all nervous about the surgery and she has been warned it is a difficult recovery, however we have great faith in her Neurosurgeon with over 20 years of experience and we know miracles happen everyday at Mayo.

Tianna will need support from all that love her as she recovers from her surgery. She has a wonderful network of close friends and she is extremely close with her family. Her husband Austin will be taking time off work to stay in Rochester until she can be discharged home (3-7 nights). Tianna’s dad and I will also be in Rochester her entire stay (I can even stay overnight in her hospital room if needed), and my parents will also be there for a few days. Because of COVID she is only able to have 5 visitors on her list for her whole stay. Because of this she won’t be able to be visited in the hospital by other family members or friends. I think the hardest part is her two brothers won’t be able to be by her side. She is the best big sister and her brothers adore her! It is not going to be easy for them not to be there, for her or for them.

When Tianna leaves the hospital she will need to have someone with her all of the time the first 1 or 2 weeks. I will be taking a leave of work (I am an RN) to care for her full time as long as she needs. Since Tianna will be out of work for 8 weeks, the goal will be for Austin to go back to work after she is home, but this will be played by ear depending on how she is doing. My mom is a retired RN that has also offered to help, plus her dad will do anything that is needed for her and we have had many other friends and family offer to help with whatever is needed. She also has amazing neighbors that will help the Tianna & Austin out too. We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many people that care for Tianna and are praying for a successful surgery and a full recovery.

Donated funds will be used towards costs associated with Austin, Dalynn and I traveling/staying in Rochester for Tianna’s surgery, costs associated with her care during recovery, medical expenses and to cover for lost time from work. Any little bit helps and is very appreciated.

Please keep Tianna, Austin and all of us that love them in your thoughts and prayers. She is a strong woman, and the best person I know. I can’t wait until she can put all of this behind them, and focus on their bright future.

Thank you.