Support Deena's Fight Against Chiari Malformation

I’m reaching out today on behalf of my good friend, Deena. She is an amazing single mother and she needs a little bit of our help! She has a rare brain condition that has required 3 surgeries thus far, and one more scheduled for next month. Each surgery has put a real strain on her financially, since she has extended hospital stays and can’t work while recovering. She’s been so resilient throughout her health struggles and has been raising her two young children all through this and she could really use our help!

Her life completely changed on January 17th, 2023 when she lost feeling/had tingling sensations in her left arm and the left side of her face. She went to the ER and after running tests, and then confirmed with MRI, the diagnosis of the brain condition called “Chiari Malformation type 1”.

What is Chiari Malformation?

It is when the tonsils of your brain are compressed in your spinal canal, which causes increased intracranial pressure and stops the flow of spinal fluid. Not having that spinal fluid can cause a cyst in your spine also known as a syrinx. In her case, it is as long as her spine and it’s tethered in it. Due to not having spinal fluid and having a cyst in your spinal canal, it causes multiple symptoms such as severe headaches, neck pain, loss of eyesight, loss of balance, numbness/tingling in the hands, feet, arms, or face. It can also cause trouble of swallowing, dizziness, or even a change of speech. A lot of these symptoms have immensely impacted her quality of life.

In more severe cases such as hers, the doctors will recommend a decompression surgery where they remove a piece of your skull and place a little plate and screws. Her FIRST surgery was on February 2, 2023, was unsuccessful and she then found a Chiari Specialist. Her SECOND surgery took place September 21, 2023. A decompression surgery is supposed to help the flow of spinal fluid and to help shrink that cyst in the spine. In her case it has not shrunk and due to that, it can cause spinal damage. Her THIRD surgery took place on April 22, 2024 and they drained the massive cyst on her spinal cord. However after that she had more complications included numbness/tingling from on her lower half and she had to go to the ER several times after for a CSF leak(spinal fluid leak) that caused excruciating headaches and pain. It was leaking out of the incision in the back of her head. And after all of this, her journey is STILL not over. Her surgeon has now scheduled yet another surgery for next month to correct her tethered spinal cord and hopefully relieve the tingling.

So now I’m really hoping we can at least ease a little of the financial burden that has been put on her throughout these hard times. She has worked between surgeries when cleared to do and is a very hard worker, she just needs a little help to get back on her feet and keep a roof over her family’s heads! Thank you so much for taking the time to read!

Donations will go directly to Deena!

Funds will be used to help with daily expenses for Deena and her children. (Bills- Rent, utilities, necessities, etc. And medical costs incurred)