Kennedy needs brain surgery

Hello loved ones, friends, and family… I am creating this gofundme with a heavy heart! Most of you know about my long, painful journey with Chiari Malformation and my decompression surgery…

Well… we are all very shocked to learn that Kennedy has been diagnosed with the same condition, and will be soon scheduling surgery. As her mom and as someone who has endured this, to say I am heartbroken and helpless just doesn’t quite sum it up!!

She has had to leave the teaching job she adored as of November because symptoms have become too much to manage. She’s not allowed to drive due to blackouts/fainting… she has been able to keep her insurance, but it is costly and without income, well… she is struggling so much. On top of that, she’s recently had many tests, consults with specialists, and more coming up.

Kennedy, as most of you know, is someone who is always the first to rally for others in need—she’s done so for me, on a couple of occasions, for this same exact issue. This is all so surreal and I’m still trying to let it fully sink in.

This is where she is, as of now:

appointments:

pcp appt

neurologist consult

cardio consult

neurosurgeon consult

neurologist follow up

cardio follow up

neurosurgeon follow up/surgery scheduling

tests:

mri of brain

cine mri of brain

ct of brain and neck

ct of neck

ekg

echocardiogram

24 hour holter monitor

30 day holter monitor

decompression surgery

insurance: $563 a month

Crowdfunding can be a truly amazing thing, since it works best when many people contribute a little instead of a few people giving a lot.

I know the goal may seem high… but to be honest, it’s actually quite conservative considering all that is happening and coming up. And none of this even includes her medications or the recovery/aftercare of brain surgery.

She is more than happy to accept donations via Venmo and PayPal as well. Whatever people are most comfortable with!!

PLEASE feel free to message either of us privately if you have questions or want to be anonymous. And PLEASE PLEASE share this, even if you can’t help.

Remember, every single dollar matters a lot and every single donation is appreciated and needed ❤️❤️