Support Jessie Myrick in Brain Surgery Recovery!
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In mid-April 2023, Jessie began experiencing headaches with increasing intensity. After multiple visits to her primary care physician, following all prescribed treatments with little effect, and experiencing worsening symptoms, Jessie self-advocated and was finally granted a referral for an MRI in mid-May. The results were unimaginable: Jessie had an extremely rare and life-threatening brain tumor causing severe hydrocephaly. Without immediate surgical intervention, she had at most a few months of debilitating pain before the tumor and its accompanying symptoms would take her life. Surgery was the only option. Jessie met this impossible diagnosis with the same grit, grace, determination, and optimism that have carried her through her 37 years. And the good news: Jessie is still with us!
For those privileged to know Jessie, you know what a generous and kind person she is - the most genuine, caring, and selfless friend you could ever ask for. Professionally, Jessie has made the practice, study, and teaching of traditional martial and healing arts her life’s work. From Hawaii to Arizona to the Finger Lakes, Jessie has applied her skills to help her community, offering sliding scale pricing and volunteering her time to those most in need. Owner and sole proprietor of FLX Acupuncture and Gongfu, Jessie is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, qigong and Chinese internal boxing instructor, and Vice President of the North American Tang Shou Tao Association.
To her family, Jessie is an adored soulmate; a loving big sister and sister-in-law; a dedicated daughter and daughter-in-law; a favorite auntie; and a rescue-dog-mama. In her free time (haha!), Jessie is a master chef, gardener, nature lover, off-grid survivalist, feminist literary buff, and accomplished musician.
The progression of the tumor has been very fast and totally unexpected. Two months ago, Jessie was hiking trails along waterfalls in the Finger Lakes, six weeks ago she had some bad headaches, and three weeks ago, Jessie underwent a 9-hour, high-risk surgery to remove her brain tumor. Fortunately, she made it through with her full cognition intact. Unfortunately, the tumor was found to be growing from her brainstem, complicating the original recovery plan. For now, her brain is traumatized by the surgery and certain autonomic functions are reeling. Jessie faces a long road to recovery and will require extensive care for an unknown length of time. The doctors say it will be at least six months before they can even assess what her new baseline is, and how much functionality will ultimately return.
Currently, Jessie remains in in-patient rehabilitation at Neuro-Rehab Unit at Columbia University Medical Center in NYC. She is re-learning how to swallow, coordinate movements, walk, and balance. While she has made many strides since surgery, progress is slow. For now, her vision is impaired; she needs assistants, walkers and braces to walk; and she is restricted to a diet of pureed foods and thickened liquids. Once-trivial tasks – such as buttoning a shirt, reading, and feeding herself – have become tests of endurance and frustration. Jessie works hard every day in physical, occupational, and speech therapy. She is proud of each small increment of improvement. The doctors are optimistic, and urge patience. Brain recovery is unpredictable and takes time.
Jessie’s husband Connor has been by her side from day 1, a pillar of comfort, support, and encouragement. He dutifully arrives at the hospital by 7a.m., when Jessie’s day begins and remains until 8 or 9p.m., her bedtime. He helps and cues her to eat, bathe and communicate; coordinates care plans with doctors and nurses; and accompanies her to daily therapies as her #1 cheerleader.
Connor continues to navigate all this chaos without a home base. He has been alternating between staying on a family member’s couch in Brooklyn and occasionally a hotel to be closer to the hospital. Connor worries about Jessie, and about how he and they will financially navigate the near and far future. Of immediate concern is how he will continue on in his role as the primary support person for Jessie while she remains in NYC, and once they return home to Ithaca. Her doctors believe his support is paramount to her recovery.
Always frugal, Connor and Jessie have been able to draw from savings and support from family for the past six weeks. But over the long-term, there is no expected income to replenish the coffers. Parking, food, transportation, and housing are expensive necessities. We know the next twelve months will be hard, as Jessie fights to “refind” herself, heal and function. We know unanticipated costs related to Jessie’s healing are inevitable.
This kind and generous couple are equal to the work that lays ahead, but they can’t do it alone. They need our support! Please consider a donation to their GoFundMe and join us in support of Jessie. All money donated, minus a small credit card transaction fee (2.9% and $.30 per donation) will go directly to Jessie's recovery. Please give what you can and share with family, friends and coworkers and follow along with updates of her journey. Thank you for your financial support, love and prayers for Jessie. —Love and thanks from Jessie’s sister, Krista 
In mid-April 2023, Jessie began experiencing headaches with increasing intensity. After multiple visits to her primary care physician, following all prescribed treatments with little effect, and experiencing worsening symptoms, Jessie self-advocated and was finally granted a referral for an MRI in mid-May. The results were unimaginable: Jessie had an extremely rare and life-threatening brain tumor causing severe hydrocephaly. Without immediate surgical intervention, she had at most a few months of debilitating pain before the tumor and its accompanying symptoms would take her life. Surgery was the only option. Jessie met this impossible diagnosis with the same grit, grace, determination, and optimism that have carried her through her 37 years. And the good news: Jessie is still with us!
For those privileged to know Jessie, you know what a generous and kind person she is - the most genuine, caring, and selfless friend you could ever ask for. Professionally, Jessie has made the practice, study, and teaching of traditional martial and healing arts her life’s work. From Hawaii to Arizona to the Finger Lakes, Jessie has applied her skills to help her community, offering sliding scale pricing and volunteering her time to those most in need. Owner and sole proprietor of FLX Acupuncture and Gongfu, Jessie is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, qigong and Chinese internal boxing instructor, and Vice President of the North American Tang Shou Tao Association.
To her family, Jessie is an adored soulmate; a loving big sister and sister-in-law; a dedicated daughter and daughter-in-law; a favorite auntie; and a rescue-dog-mama. In her free time (haha!), Jessie is a master chef, gardener, nature lover, off-grid survivalist, feminist literary buff, and accomplished musician.
The progression of the tumor has been very fast and totally unexpected. Two months ago, Jessie was hiking trails along waterfalls in the Finger Lakes, six weeks ago she had some bad headaches, and three weeks ago, Jessie underwent a 9-hour, high-risk surgery to remove her brain tumor. Fortunately, she made it through with her full cognition intact. Unfortunately, the tumor was found to be growing from her brainstem, complicating the original recovery plan. For now, her brain is traumatized by the surgery and certain autonomic functions are reeling. Jessie faces a long road to recovery and will require extensive care for an unknown length of time. The doctors say it will be at least six months before they can even assess what her new baseline is, and how much functionality will ultimately return.
Currently, Jessie remains in in-patient rehabilitation at Neuro-Rehab Unit at Columbia University Medical Center in NYC. She is re-learning how to swallow, coordinate movements, walk, and balance. While she has made many strides since surgery, progress is slow. For now, her vision is impaired; she needs assistants, walkers and braces to walk; and she is restricted to a diet of pureed foods and thickened liquids. Once-trivial tasks – such as buttoning a shirt, reading, and feeding herself – have become tests of endurance and frustration. Jessie works hard every day in physical, occupational, and speech therapy. She is proud of each small increment of improvement. The doctors are optimistic, and urge patience. Brain recovery is unpredictable and takes time.
Jessie’s husband Connor has been by her side from day 1, a pillar of comfort, support, and encouragement. He dutifully arrives at the hospital by 7a.m., when Jessie’s day begins and remains until 8 or 9p.m., her bedtime. He helps and cues her to eat, bathe and communicate; coordinates care plans with doctors and nurses; and accompanies her to daily therapies as her #1 cheerleader.
Connor continues to navigate all this chaos without a home base. He has been alternating between staying on a family member’s couch in Brooklyn and occasionally a hotel to be closer to the hospital. Connor worries about Jessie, and about how he and they will financially navigate the near and far future. Of immediate concern is how he will continue on in his role as the primary support person for Jessie while she remains in NYC, and once they return home to Ithaca. Her doctors believe his support is paramount to her recovery.
Always frugal, Connor and Jessie have been able to draw from savings and support from family for the past six weeks. But over the long-term, there is no expected income to replenish the coffers. Parking, food, transportation, and housing are expensive necessities. We know the next twelve months will be hard, as Jessie fights to “refind” herself, heal and function. We know unanticipated costs related to Jessie’s healing are inevitable.
This kind and generous couple are equal to the work that lays ahead, but they can’t do it alone. They need our support! Please consider a donation to their GoFundMe and join us in support of Jessie. All money donated, minus a small credit card transaction fee (2.9% and $.30 per donation) will go directly to Jessie's recovery. Please give what you can and share with family, friends and coworkers and follow along with updates of her journey. Thank you for your financial support, love and prayers for Jessie. —Love and thanks from Jessie’s sister, Krista 
Fundraising team (2)
Krista Maruca
Organizer
Hector, NY
Connor Youngerman
Beneficiary
Hannah Gal
Team member