Brain Tumor Diagnosis November 21 2023

This beautiful girl is my daughter Brittani. Life has changed drastically for her/us. Who would have thought cancer would be something she would have to face and fight. Financial hardship is real and scary and we didn't know how it would grow. We had no clue how this would affect us mentally, physically and financially. Not knowing how we will pay anything next month or till she can work again is so stressful for both of us. So anyways below will explain how we got where we are now. This journey has been challenging but eventually we will rise above and be stronger because of it.

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Starting in 2018 she started having difficulty with her eyesight. Went to an eye doctor and was soon diagnosed with Panuveitis. 

"Panuveitis is inflammation of all layers of the uvea of the eye, which includes the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. These make up the middle layer of the eye. The condition can also affect the lens, retina, optic nerve, and vitreous, causing reduced vision or blindness."

The doctors kept doing tests and it was getting worse. But her doctor said nothing could be done at that point.

August 2018 she started a job that paid well but too well which caused her lose her medical coverage. September 2019 she started her new job at BG Beer Works.

At that point she was able to get covered by insurance again and started seeing her Eye doctor again.

Fast forward to 2020. After My daughter started also seeing a Rheumatologist and after trying Humira.  That didn't show change or improvement. Eventually the Rheumatologist mentioned Cleveland Clinic as a possibility.

So her first doctor referred us to Cole Eye Institute at Cleveland Clinic.... fast forward to Oct 2020 her first appointment.

New doctor very familiar with her diagnosis. So lots of test were done to confirm diagnosis.  Asked to verify what treatments/medications prescribed so far.

Answer=none! Well the Humira and one steroid injection in her eye. With that being said doctor was shocked that no immediate treatment was provided.... which is imperative for this disease not to advance to blindness.  

Fast forward to last Monday March 29th 2021. We met with doctors to discuss surgery because absolutely none of the medications have helped and there is no other course of treatment besides surgery.

Doctor said to stop all medications except for Humira. Scheduled surgery date of 4/23/20201. 

Wednesday before surgery covid test and physical, Thursday rest, Friday Surgery and Saturday followup early morning at the clinic. If all is good she gets to go home.

Fast forward to Thursday 4/1/2021. My daughter had a rough day all day, but made it through the day with frustration.

Friday another bad day, but worse. She could barely focus, she was straining to see anything but she wanted to get through her shift and not give up.  

Today Saturday 4/3/2021. I was worried that she was going to call and say I can't do this anymore.  

That was today! My phone rang and I heard the tears "Mom I can't do this anymore... I can't see. My eyes hurt so bad from straining" . Me = I'm on my way!

So now we have to try to reschedule her surgery for sooner. I had called the doctors office yesterday and told them it has progressively gotten worse since Monday.

I said if my daughter goes blind will this be reversible? They said they would talk to the doctor and get back to us. 

We are waiting to find out and see if we can move up that surgery date to this upcoming week. I'm just not willing to risk her eyesight waiting till the 23rd of this month.

After the surgery to remove the jelly covering her left eye that is blocking most of her vision. They will check it for cancer which is their biggest worry. 

Then see if they can find out why and what is causing it. She should have immediate vision improvement as long as she doesn't develop an infection within the first week.

If after the first week all goes well, she can go back to work. Then after a couple weeks we can schedule the surgery for her right eye.

This financially it will be very hard on us with her not having her income. Her bills, our bills and the continued trips and stays in Cleveland for both surgeries and followups.  I have a limited income so I depend on her paying half the bills.  

This fundraiser is for both of us to survive.

Loss of income for both surgeries 

Cleveland Clinic trips:

2 surgical trips (Wednesday thru Saturday)

Gas, food

Followup trips back to the ClinicAND now chemo trips for the cancer diagnosis.

We are thankful for monetary donations as well as the donations from the heart of prayer, positive vibes, thoughts and well wishes.  

Thank you in advance for whatever is given.  

I can't wait till my daughter can see everyone's smiling face again as well as her own beautiful face.

I hope I've cleared up any questions or concerns.  

Much love to all of you.