Save Rachel's Life - Brain Surgery

Rachel is one of my closest friends and has the most giving heart. She is a mother of 2 amazing boys (Damian & Caleb), hard working hair stylist, loyal friend, and an all around kind-hearted woman. Through the years she has struggled with caring for a child with autism and countless medical conditions. This brings me to the life threatening medical condition she is currently battling.

We took a business trip to Canada to meet our hair idol, Kevin Murphy & attend a conference in October 2015. First day of the event, she had her first seizure. Unbeknownst to her this would set off a life riddled with almost daily seizures and a constant debilitating headache.

She immediately met with a specialist in treating seizures to see what could have been  the cause and how to prevent them in the future. The doctor recommended a week-long seizure study. The study came back inconclusive and basically just confirmed she has seizures. Several doctors and countless tests later, she started feeling hopeless as no one could figure out the underlying cause.

Then as we all do, she started researching her symptoms, plowing through medical websites, blogs, and books. She came across a site that referenced her case to the “T” and called the doctor’s office in California. Apparently she had been diagnosed with cysts on her pineal gland in her brain when she was 15. Every doctor she had seen in VA disregarded that as a potential cause. The doctor in CA felt different… Rachel asked if he  thought the cysts were causing all her seizers, headaches, bladder, and kidney problems. He requested all her medical records and discovered that the cysts where actually covering a tumor that has completely covered her pineal gland.  He agrees 100% that this has been the cause of her condition and that surgery is needed ASAP.

Here's a video showing the surgery she needs performed by Dr. Shahinian.


Here is the problem: Rachel has had her licensed revoked due to the seizures, she has had to miss countless days of work, and will have to come out of pocket with at least 20% of the almost $200,000 surgery in advance or they will not put her on the schedule. Let’s just say it is an unattainable number for just about anyone and there is still a possibility that insurance won’t cover the full remainder of the 80%. Then we tack on airfare, childcare, and another 4 weeks off work for recovery she feels as if all hope is lost. She is a proud woman and hates asking for help. That is why I am asking and pleading for anyone with the means to help her have this surgery. Every penny helps! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read this post and help save Rachel's life. 

Please keep her in your prayers.