Shannon's Medical Fund
Donation protected
You know Shannon--she is the one who connects people to help them reach their goals and she's the one that counsels students to inspire hope for a brighter future.
In August doctors discovered that Shannon had a golf ball-sized congenital cyst growing on her pituitary gland and pressing on her optic nerve that had to be removed immediately through neurosurgery. She spent the month of September and most of October recovering and returned to work the end of October.
During her second day back at work counseling middle school students and their families she suffered a stroke from complications of that surgery due to inflammation in her brain. The last thing she remembers from that day is sending a "Happy Birthday" text to a friend.
During her time in ICU the doctors also discovered that the patch used in the neurosurgery was not sealed due to chemical meningitis and the cause of her constant headaches so she had to undergo another surgery immediately. Due to the stroke Shannon’s left eye has double vision and does not easily open which has stolen a lot of her independence (but not her spirit of gratitude).
She and her family have been to many doctors and specialists in an attempt to understand her prognosis and create a treatment plan to manage her physical problems and prevent future complications. Today we learned that she has to have yet another surgery on December 16th.
Shannon has not been able to work, is on some expensive medications, and must do MRIs every 3 weeks to watch the swelling in the brain along with a special medical procedure to remove the scar tissue at the second surgery site.
It will be 6-12 months before the final outcome can be known. Right now she and her family are consulting with neuro eye specialists to learn about possible surgery or therapy options for her eye.
Since you know Shannon you know that she is better equipped to manage stress more so than most of us, however, it has taken a toll. The uncertainly of the future, taking care of her family, medical bills, and being out of work is extremely overwhelming. She has helped so many people, communities and agencies in her life and career that a group of us decided that raising some money to help with her medical expenses was one way we could give back to her for what she has done for us.
Thank you for sending your positive thoughts, prayers and /or donations her way! One thing remains the same, she continues to inspire us to do for others like she does--its just that this time we are doing it for her.
In August doctors discovered that Shannon had a golf ball-sized congenital cyst growing on her pituitary gland and pressing on her optic nerve that had to be removed immediately through neurosurgery. She spent the month of September and most of October recovering and returned to work the end of October.
During her second day back at work counseling middle school students and their families she suffered a stroke from complications of that surgery due to inflammation in her brain. The last thing she remembers from that day is sending a "Happy Birthday" text to a friend.
During her time in ICU the doctors also discovered that the patch used in the neurosurgery was not sealed due to chemical meningitis and the cause of her constant headaches so she had to undergo another surgery immediately. Due to the stroke Shannon’s left eye has double vision and does not easily open which has stolen a lot of her independence (but not her spirit of gratitude).
She and her family have been to many doctors and specialists in an attempt to understand her prognosis and create a treatment plan to manage her physical problems and prevent future complications. Today we learned that she has to have yet another surgery on December 16th.
Shannon has not been able to work, is on some expensive medications, and must do MRIs every 3 weeks to watch the swelling in the brain along with a special medical procedure to remove the scar tissue at the second surgery site.
It will be 6-12 months before the final outcome can be known. Right now she and her family are consulting with neuro eye specialists to learn about possible surgery or therapy options for her eye.
Since you know Shannon you know that she is better equipped to manage stress more so than most of us, however, it has taken a toll. The uncertainly of the future, taking care of her family, medical bills, and being out of work is extremely overwhelming. She has helped so many people, communities and agencies in her life and career that a group of us decided that raising some money to help with her medical expenses was one way we could give back to her for what she has done for us.
Thank you for sending your positive thoughts, prayers and /or donations her way! One thing remains the same, she continues to inspire us to do for others like she does--its just that this time we are doing it for her.
Organizer
Monica Scamardo
Organizer
Austin, TX
