Kendall Duncan's Struggle with CSF Leak

My name is Kendall Duncan and thank you for taking the time to read about my medical journey.

The last 5 years I have been struggling with migraines. In 2021 the migraines became so debilitating I could no longer work, take care of myself, or my son. I found a surgeon that was able to remove the damaged occipital nerves from the back of my head. This surgeon suggested that if I am not 100% better from the procedure that I should be looked at for a CSF leak.

Beginning 2023, I ended up in the emergency room with stroke like symptoms. During that stay they conducted a brain MRI where they found my brain to be "sagging" 12mm. I asked to be referred to Stanford where I knew they had a CSF Leak Clinic.

Unfortunately, Stanford was unable to help me because the Harrington Rods that I have in my back from scoliosis spinal fusion surgery that I had when I was 12. They luckily referred me to Cedars-Sinai. I took 7 trips to Cedars Sinai over a 5 month time period to conduct all the diagnostic tests possible.

Once again, they could not find the leak. The diagnostic tests that Cedars Sinai made my symptoms much worse. I went from being able to work as a full time high school teacher to being completely bed ridden. Along with that, my husband has had to put his career of becoming a lineman on hold to take care of me and our 2 year old son.

This GoFundMe is to help us is this difficult time while I wait to get into Duke in North Carolina. I now cannot work because I am bed ridden. Weather changes, sodium intake, and hydration levels all affect my internal CSF pressures and I am in chronic pain. My husband and I have been put in a position to sell our house because we don't know when these medical struggles will resolve.

Thank you again for taking the time to read this, anything helps.