Karina's Life Saving Brain Surgery
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About Karina's Brain Surgery
Karina Stevens is a very dear friend who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2008 at the age of 27. Her tumor is a Grade 2 Mixed Glioma, which has continued to grow larger despite 3 years of daily oral chemotherapy. Her treatment regimen includes many other medications for nausea, headaches and seizures that are caused by the tumor. She has had MRI scans every 2-3 months since her diagnosis. Her best chance of beating this brain cancer is a very complex surgery to remove the tumor. This surgery is called "awake" brain surgery and there are only a few neurosurgeons in the country with the skills and experience to perform this procedure.
One of the leaders in this field is Dr. Mitch Berger, of UCSF, who has more experience in this surgery than any neurosurgeon in the country. Karina and her husband met with Dr. Berger on July 29 in San Francisco. He is optimistic that he can safely remove her tumor and add decades to her life. Without this surgery, her tumor will continue to grow and develop into a Glioblastoma, the deadliest of brain cancers. Her life expectancy with Glioblastoma would be around 18 months at best.
Karina is so much more than a dear and wonderful friend. She is a loving wife and mother who has fought hard to live a normal life and has never stopped taking care of others in her job as a nurse. She even volunteers in her community as a middle school nurse! She and her husband began dating in high school, and have a wonderful son who will be starting high school himself while his mother is having this life saving surgery. Cancer is a very tough battle for everyone in the fight. The emotional toll is only exceeded by the enormous costs of cancer care. Karina and her family just returned to Charlotte, NC, where they live, after consulting with Dr. Berger in San Francisco. They will be flying back to UCSF for this life saving surgery August 18 - less than three weeks from now. After 8 to 10 hours of surgery, Karina will need to remain in San Francisco for
the next 8 to 10 days. The high cost of flying on such short notice, along with accommodations for Karina and her husband Quentin will be enormous, placing a huge financial strain on them at a hopeful, but very traumatic time in their lives. Karina is much beloved by her family, friends and the many people whose lives she has touched through her work, Please help this wonderful family in any way possible to ease their burden and help them on their road to healing. Even the smallest contributions add up to make a big difference. If your can't contribute to the fund, please help with your prayers for Karina's family, Dr. Berger, a successful surgery and a happy, healthy life for many years to come! Karina has been a tremendous blessing in our lives, and on behalf of her family and friends, we thank you for your generosity, prayers, good wishes and support. With all our Love,
The Tischlers
Karina Stevens is a very dear friend who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2008 at the age of 27. Her tumor is a Grade 2 Mixed Glioma, which has continued to grow larger despite 3 years of daily oral chemotherapy. Her treatment regimen includes many other medications for nausea, headaches and seizures that are caused by the tumor. She has had MRI scans every 2-3 months since her diagnosis. Her best chance of beating this brain cancer is a very complex surgery to remove the tumor. This surgery is called "awake" brain surgery and there are only a few neurosurgeons in the country with the skills and experience to perform this procedure.
One of the leaders in this field is Dr. Mitch Berger, of UCSF, who has more experience in this surgery than any neurosurgeon in the country. Karina and her husband met with Dr. Berger on July 29 in San Francisco. He is optimistic that he can safely remove her tumor and add decades to her life. Without this surgery, her tumor will continue to grow and develop into a Glioblastoma, the deadliest of brain cancers. Her life expectancy with Glioblastoma would be around 18 months at best.
Karina is so much more than a dear and wonderful friend. She is a loving wife and mother who has fought hard to live a normal life and has never stopped taking care of others in her job as a nurse. She even volunteers in her community as a middle school nurse! She and her husband began dating in high school, and have a wonderful son who will be starting high school himself while his mother is having this life saving surgery. Cancer is a very tough battle for everyone in the fight. The emotional toll is only exceeded by the enormous costs of cancer care. Karina and her family just returned to Charlotte, NC, where they live, after consulting with Dr. Berger in San Francisco. They will be flying back to UCSF for this life saving surgery August 18 - less than three weeks from now. After 8 to 10 hours of surgery, Karina will need to remain in San Francisco for
the next 8 to 10 days. The high cost of flying on such short notice, along with accommodations for Karina and her husband Quentin will be enormous, placing a huge financial strain on them at a hopeful, but very traumatic time in their lives. Karina is much beloved by her family, friends and the many people whose lives she has touched through her work, Please help this wonderful family in any way possible to ease their burden and help them on their road to healing. Even the smallest contributions add up to make a big difference. If your can't contribute to the fund, please help with your prayers for Karina's family, Dr. Berger, a successful surgery and a happy, healthy life for many years to come! Karina has been a tremendous blessing in our lives, and on behalf of her family and friends, we thank you for your generosity, prayers, good wishes and support. With all our Love,
The Tischlers
Organizer
Erika Scinski
Organizer
Matthews, NC