Not Letting This Brain Tumor Win!

Hi, I'm Theresa Jennings (some may know me by my former married name, Theresa Mesa), and I'm a 57-year-old web and graphic designer living in So.  California. Some of my long-time clients are nonprofits. I love what I do. I have two great kids, and two wonderful grandkids who are the air that I breathe. I paint, garden, craft, quilt, crochet, and volunteer in business groups and in the local community.

I'm working on my associate of science in programming. I've been self-employed at what I do since, well, junior high school, as a graphic designer, and as a web designer since 2004. I'm very involved in the WordPress community - what a great group of people! I have so much left to learn and do. I've also been involved with the American Advertising Federation since 2004. I've known these folks for a very long time. How blessed am I?

In July, due to a series of health events near the beginning of the year, my neurologist thought that I might have had a stroke that was causing vision problems, vertigo, difficulty walking, headaches, and more. So MRI time.

Instead, I have a small brain tumor pushing up against my right trigeminal nerve. It doesn't look cancerous at this point, but it's causing excruciating pain on an almost daily basis. I also have a primary immune deficiency that causes frequent respiratory infections. The neurosurgeon is going to want to make sure my infections are under control before he does brain surgery, so I'll have other doctors to see.

I'm self-employed, so no vacation pay or sick leave. I'm currently able to work (it's been kinda difficult, but I'm stubborn that way), and have been saving my money. But the surgery alone will be extremely expensive - $50,000 to $100,000. I'm so grateful to have health insurance that will cover much of that, but in order to afford the premiums I chose a PPO with a deductible of $4,500 and a maximum out-of-pocket of $6,500. This amount of money is incomprehensible to me. 

The money raised would pay for the medical expenses my insurance doesn't cover, and for paying my bills during my recovery period. I live simply, but this is all a lot of money.


Although I was planning on surgery by August or or September of this year, I may have to push that up by a few months. 


I have so much I want to do. My daughter and autistic son need me. My grandkids are little and would like to see me as they grow up. I'd like to continue volunteering. Any money I raise will be more than I have, and I will be so grateful for your generosity. Thank you!