Meghan and Eye

Cliff Notes: Once a Pain in the Ass, Now a Giant Headache

Our sister Meghan will undergo surgery in January 2022, for a left pterional craniotomy in an attempt to remove not one, but two tumors behind her left eye. This removal of two tumors is something that has never been attempted before due to the location and type of tumors. Many specialists in the Phoenix metro would not take her as a patient as they said her situation is too complicated. Fortunately for Meg, Dr. Santorelli was found and is determined to help her case. As you can imagine, this will be very expensive, not to mention this is her second surgery in three months. She needed one in November to relieve the pressure from the tumors. After this next surgery, Meghan will also be out of work for at least a month, thus making it difficult to pay bills, buy groceries, and go on with everyday life. Meghan has gone through many adversities due to her tumors that many could not imagine. She is extremely strong, physically and emotionally, and prepared for the battle ahead. We ask that you please consider making her battle less stressful and allowing her to focus on healing, by donating towards her surgery and time in the hospital. If you would like to know more about Meg's story, please read below:

Early July in 1997 Meghan came out kicking and screaming into this world. Not much has changed since, other than the years adding up, her hair (FINALLY!) growing in, and her tumors growing in numbers and size. The first tumor was noticeable almost immediately, behind her left eye. After months of doctor's appointments, scans and questions, Meghan was diagnosed with Hemangioma, a vascular tumor created from extra blood vessels in the skin appearing in the first few weeks of life. Meghan received treatments in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She also attended eye therapy. Wearing an eye patch on her strong eye to help strengthen her weaker eye is what I remember most. HOW CUTE!!

While growing up, Meghan received two surgeries on her left eyelid to relieve muscle atrophy. The hemangioma swelling dissipated for about a year, but then returned with a vengeance. She was then diagnosed with Lymphangioma - a fluid-filled tumor that occurs in lymphatic vessels.

In October 2021, she began to lose vision from her right eye (the good one, remember?). Soon after, she experienced increased blurred vision, internal bleeding from the inside corner of her left eye, and intense pressure. The swelling increased to a point where she was unable to open her left eye. After being in the ER for close to 12 hours, they finally came to her with new information… They discovered a total of seven tumors in her face and brain- the two located behind her left eye, plus one on the bridge of her nose, one on her left cheekbone, and three deep inside of her brain.

Pictured Below: Meghan’s swelling of the left side of her face before either of her ER visits.

In mid-November of 2021, Meghan was again admitted to the ER for an intense and overwhelming pain that left her unable to see out of her left eye. Closer inspection revealed both optical tumors connected to one another; feeding off of one another and "having a party back there" as Meg put it. The tumors had overwhelmed the space behind her eye, her tear ducts, and had enmeshed themselves around her optical vessels. Close to a dozen specialists denied any attempt at treatment for Meghan's condition, as it is incredibly complicated.

Towards the end of her stay in the hospital, an angel of a human being, Dr. Santorelli, finally agreed to take on Meg's case. With quick and careful deliberation, Dr. Santorelli knew that he had to help Meghan immediately. He performed surgery two days after meeting her; to shave off part of Meghans’s skull and create more room for her eye to swell, thus decreasing the pressure her tumors had created. Because he knew this was a quick-fix, he began working on the next step.

Dr. Santorelli has gone above and beyond to help Meghan in any way he can. He has personally reached out to another dozen specialists, asking for their input and help with her upcoming surgery. Only three agreed to meet with her to go over the options they would suggest. The first two doctors presented options with dismal foreseeable success. The third doctor, however, agreed to aid in an attempt to remove both tumors.

Meghan is scheduled to go into surgery on January 18th, 2022. She is surrounded by love and support from her family, her boyfriend and his family, and friends. We are only able to support her so much, so this page is here to help her financially. If you have made it this far, WOW, thank you for taking the time out of your day to read, react, and reflect on Meg's situation. If you are able to provide financial help, thank you. Any amount is appreciated.

With gratitude and love,

Samantha Pardy, Shannon Hale, and Heather Malcom (Older, OLDer, and OLDEST Sisters)