Tatum's Travel for Treatment

Tatum is a 2014 high school graduate. Her achievements are endless. She was on the Varsity Dance Team, a student coucil member and leader since the sixth grade, a member of the honor roll, and was also a sponsor at Special Olympics.  She is a young woman who is affectionate, brave, charismatic, cheerful, compassionate, determined, the list could go on and on. Her faith in God has been inspiring through this process! As she said, "I am thankful. I am thankful to be going through everything I am. Through these hard times I have grown closer to God. I am thankful for these problems because now I have a new part to my testimony. Through this I might be able to reach more people. This doesn't mean that I don't get anxious or scared, but I have realized how big and mighty my God is. I may be sick, but I am forever changed." 

Tatum was recently diagnosed with VasculItis of the Central Nervous System (CNS) . Vasculitis of the CNS is inflammation or swelling of the blood vessel walls in the brain or spine. It is a rare disease. Only 100 cases have been diagnosed, ever.  It affects more men than women, and of those diagnosed, the majority are elderly. So for her to be 19 and a woman, it is that much rarer. Tatum has already underwent several testing procedures, spinal taps and cerebral arteriograms, to name a few. She is currently under the medical treatment of a Neurologist, Rheumatologist, and Radiologist. 

She has been referred to the Vasculitis Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio and will be traveling there in the next week or two. There, she will stay four days and undergo more procedures and tests for further diagnosing. Any funds raised will be used to help Tatum and her family meet the already accumulated and upcoming medical expenses. Thank you for your help and prayers as Tatum and her family start this long journey.