Fawn’s Acoustic Neuroma Fund
Donation protected
The last few months for Fawn have been a roller coaster of fighting for answers that she didn’t even know she needed. Unlike others with this particular type of tumor she didn’t have the typical symptoms. She had a slight ringing in her ears occasionally, but nothing that she would even relay to her doctors. What pushed her to continue seeing doctors was more frequent memory loss that her family kept pointing out to her. After several disappointing doctor appointments she decided that she would pay out of pocket to get an MRI and try to figure out what was going on. It was because of this persistence they found the tumor and she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor called an Acoustic Neuroma.
This type of brain tumor develops on the balance and hearing nerve in the ear and grows into the brain cavity and if it isn’t removed will compress several other nerves and the brain stem. Pressure from the brain tumor can cause unsteadiness and ringing in the ear which can eventually lead to hearing loss. Without treatment, the growth will continue to impact the hearing nerve, optic nerve, and facial nerves. This can lead to a series of functional issues including vision, facial paralysis, along with several other potential deficits.
With all the added issues this year with Covid-19, Fawn was initially going to wait until next year to have the surgery and monitor the growth rate of the tumor. This would also allow her to plan for the surgery both financially and emotionally. After meeting with three separate Neurologists and all of them recommending that she not wait, she was given 6 weeks to prepare for the surgery. Living in Arizona she was shocked to find that the best doctor to perform this surgery was actually in San Diego California and by chance he was even in her network through her insurance. Even with that, the deductible for her insurance is thousands of dollars and on top of that she has to stay in or near the hospital for at least 11 days post-surgery. This means the cost of a hotel for her and her family for this time period as well as food.
On a personal note, this young woman would never ask for help from anyone even though she would and has given to so many in their time of need. She has on many occasions said to me, God has a plan and we will figure it out somehow. She has done mission tips with her church to Albania, given her time to grieving individuals, organized fund raisers for people who have lost everything or just asked for anonymous prayers for those in need. I can assure you that if you have the ability to help this family, it will be paid forward as this is her life’s mission to help and support others.
In just over 3 weeks, Fawn and her family will travel from Arizona to UC San Diego Health Center to have the brain tumor removed and begin her recovery. Any help is greatly appreciated, but more importantly please keep Fawn and her family in your prayers as they go through this journey. Thank you in advance!
This type of brain tumor develops on the balance and hearing nerve in the ear and grows into the brain cavity and if it isn’t removed will compress several other nerves and the brain stem. Pressure from the brain tumor can cause unsteadiness and ringing in the ear which can eventually lead to hearing loss. Without treatment, the growth will continue to impact the hearing nerve, optic nerve, and facial nerves. This can lead to a series of functional issues including vision, facial paralysis, along with several other potential deficits.
With all the added issues this year with Covid-19, Fawn was initially going to wait until next year to have the surgery and monitor the growth rate of the tumor. This would also allow her to plan for the surgery both financially and emotionally. After meeting with three separate Neurologists and all of them recommending that she not wait, she was given 6 weeks to prepare for the surgery. Living in Arizona she was shocked to find that the best doctor to perform this surgery was actually in San Diego California and by chance he was even in her network through her insurance. Even with that, the deductible for her insurance is thousands of dollars and on top of that she has to stay in or near the hospital for at least 11 days post-surgery. This means the cost of a hotel for her and her family for this time period as well as food.
On a personal note, this young woman would never ask for help from anyone even though she would and has given to so many in their time of need. She has on many occasions said to me, God has a plan and we will figure it out somehow. She has done mission tips with her church to Albania, given her time to grieving individuals, organized fund raisers for people who have lost everything or just asked for anonymous prayers for those in need. I can assure you that if you have the ability to help this family, it will be paid forward as this is her life’s mission to help and support others.
In just over 3 weeks, Fawn and her family will travel from Arizona to UC San Diego Health Center to have the brain tumor removed and begin her recovery. Any help is greatly appreciated, but more importantly please keep Fawn and her family in your prayers as they go through this journey. Thank you in advance!
Organizer and beneficiary
Kelly Koenig
Organizer
Mechanicville, NY
Fawn Fajen
Beneficiary