Support Marissa's Journey Back to Health

In early October, Marissa got dizzy and began falling. She was aware she had an issue with her brain (Chiari 1 Malformation) that was preventing the proper amount of fluid from going from her brain to her spine. She had planned to have the surgery over Thanksgiving and she’d be back to work by the new year.

Unfortunately, they had to move the surgery up to October 14th. The surgery went well, but there were a few complications causing her tongue to swell and making it nearly impossible for her to eat. Despite the challenges, the doctors felt Marissa was well enough to go home. This began the rollercoaster ride that week. She ended up back at the hospital on Friday, October 18th, back home on Sunday, the 20th, before returning to the hospital on October 22nd, and hasn’t been home since.

On November 3rd, an infection they have yet to get a handle on caused pressure to build up in her brain, causing her stitches to burst and fluid to leak from her brain. To relieve the pressure in her brain, they shaved her head and had a drain inserted into her skull. She has been in the ICU ever since, battling one complication after another.

Stuart has been by her side nearly 24/7 since this has happened, thankfully so, because he recognized the leak from her incision. His sister, her parents, and her brother have been holding down the fort at home, trying to keep life as normal as possible for their two young children.

We aren’t sure what lies ahead, how long she will be in ICU, and when she will return home. Returning to work seems to be in the distant future.

GoFundMe asked me to identify who I am in relation to Marissa and Stu and why I am starting this fundraiser. Marissa and Stuart are my family, not through blood but through choice. They have been there for me during some of my life’s most difficult times, and I am so thankful for the amazing people they are. If you know Marissa, you know she has the biggest heart and makes everyone feel like family. She and Stu would give the shirts off their backs to help others. They are the ones that take care of others, make sure their loved ones are taken care of, and people around them are happy. It’s now our turn to help take care of them. Let them focus on Marissa getting better and taking care of their family. If Marissa has ever served you a drink, made you smile, or sent you to the hot spots in Pittsburgh or Miami… If Stuart has ever bought you a beer or acted as your chauffeur (which he did all the time before Uber made it to Pittsburgh!), now is your time to return the love and help them focus on recovery and not have to worry about the bills adding up.

If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing.

I also want to shout out our Rock Bottom and Pittsburgh family who contributed to the original gift that aren’t listed on this forum!