Help the Clarks: Rilynn's Medical Journey

Eleven days ago Rodney and Misha took their little girl, Rilynn to the emergency room due to ongoing headaches she had been experiencing for months. After performing a CT scan, there was an incidental finding that will forever change Rilynn’s future. Rilynn’s left and right cervical carotid artery where her spine connects to her skull was found to have advanced calcifications. This is extremely rare in children and unfortunately there was not a medical facility or medical professional in San Antonio who would be able to accommodate this kind of condition. Last Wednesday evening Rilynn was transported to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, TX. With it being the top hospital in the nation, the Doctors felt that would be the best place for Rilynn to get the appropriate care. Unfortunately upon arriving to Houston they received more information that they were not expecting. Along with the calcifications on each side of her cervical carotid arteries, they found she in fact has calcifications in the intracranial portions of her left and right carotid artery. In addition, unfortunately those arteries were also found to have narrowing in those four areas. As well, both carotid arteries on the left and right side, both intracranial and cervical were found not to be the correct structure of straight. Along with those arteries being wavy and twisted in structure, two more arteries, her basilar artery and vertebral artery were also found to be the same unfortunate structure.

Though they still don’t know the cause and the Doctors are tirelessly working towards that goal. Rodney and Misha have been told surgery is a real possibility given her age. This being to avoid a potential aneurysm and/or stroke. At the very least with or without surgery she will have a lifetime of very close monitoring to ensure she does not experience an aneurysm and/or a stroke. They will be meeting with the Vascular Surgeons and Neurosurgeons Monday morning to consult on surgery and determine the next steps. She will be having specific imaging done Monday morning under sedation to determine the amount of blood and oxygen her brain is truly getting, and how her bloodstream is within the arteries.

Right now the prognosis is not good given the potential risks of leaving this untreated but also undetermined until they know more.

Despite their hesitance, I have started this GoFundMe to try to ease what I can only imagine are the enormous medical bills they have incurred thus far and will incur. Not only the medical costs, but the costs associated with Rodney and Rycen also being in Houston such as lodging, etc. To know Rilynn is to know what a sweet and pure spirit she has. The Clarks have done so much for so many people, both within their personal lives but professionally too, and I cannot imagine not doing something for them during this difficult time. I can’t even fathom as a parent what they are going through. My intention while they navigate through this is to hopefully ease at the very least any weight of the impending medical bills and other bills associated with what is looking like the long stay they will have in Houston. I very much believe in the power of prayer, I hope that everyone will pray for Rilynn and continue to pray for her. As well as the entire family as they face this new reality.