Crystal Chidester's Medical Fund
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We have started this page for Crystal Chidester. She is a 34 year old mother of three beautiful children (aged 12, 9 & 6) and a devoted wife to Cameron Chidester. Crystal has volunteered throughout her life to help others. It is our wish that we can return the favor and help her. Let me tell you her story.
In early 2016, Crystal was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation. It took many years of suffering before finally getting a proper diagnosis. We have learned that this is something she has had since birth. Crystal has suffered various and numerous medical ailments growing up that never culminated into any specific diagnosis.
However, in 2011 the Chiari Malformation symptoms became more prevalent and severe that it began to interrupt her daily life. Her fainting spells increased in frequency. She also started experiencing numbness on one side of her body along with severe headaches that surpassed any migraine she has had in the past. She also became easily fatigued. These are just a few of the symptoms she endured.
Crystal has seen numerous physicians in search of a diagnosis. One doctor thought that her symptoms were the cause of her body not absorbing nutrients properly. This led to weekly infusions. This diagnosis turned out to be incorrect. She did not experience relief. Late 2015-early 2016 her symptoms became dangerous and crippling. She started to have blurred vision, dizziness, extreme fatigue and vomiting. She was no longer able to drive. These symptoms are in addition to the others she had already been experiencing. Frustrated, she sought out another doctor.
This new doctor was able to diagnosis her with Chiari Malformation. FINALLY!!! Her medical condition had a name. Throughout these five years Crystal had been in and out of hospitals and emergency rooms. Her symptoms were so constant and increasing in intensity that she required her first surgery. In March 2016 she underwent a Chiari decompression. This procedure removed the bone at the back of the skull and spine and a patch was sewn in to expand the space. Crystal felt good for about ten days before suffering an allergic reaction to the patch.
On May 24, 2016 she underwent a second surgery to remove the first patch and replace it with a different one. The next few months she was in and out of the hospital because she developed chemical meningitis (twice) and pneumonia which led to a collapsed lung. During this time she also had numerous surgeries to try to regulate intracranial pressure. Her latest surgery was less than two weeks ago and involved putting a lumbar shunt in her cranium.
As you could imagine, Crystal has been through quite an ordeal and medical bills have surmounted. Now a doctor in Rhode Island has agreed to see her. This doctor is a specialist in Chiari Malformation and is supposed to be “the best of the best”. She deals only with Chiari Malformation cases. Crystal’s consultation is at the end of April 2017.
Crystal and her husband will have to travel from Utah to Rhode Island. They are expected to be there a week for the initial consultation visit. If the doctor feels she is a candidate for a special surgery (which will hopefully put her on a course for a normal life) then they will return for the surgery. Crystal will have to remain for at least four weeks. This surgery requires at least four week recovery with no traveling.
Therefore, we are hoping to raise money so that we can alleviate some of her financial burdens. She has many medical bills already with more in the near future. We thank you for taking the time to read Crystal’s story. If you are unable to help financially then we ask that you remember Crystal and her family in your prayers. However, no donation is too small.
Thank you!
In early 2016, Crystal was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation. It took many years of suffering before finally getting a proper diagnosis. We have learned that this is something she has had since birth. Crystal has suffered various and numerous medical ailments growing up that never culminated into any specific diagnosis.
However, in 2011 the Chiari Malformation symptoms became more prevalent and severe that it began to interrupt her daily life. Her fainting spells increased in frequency. She also started experiencing numbness on one side of her body along with severe headaches that surpassed any migraine she has had in the past. She also became easily fatigued. These are just a few of the symptoms she endured.
Crystal has seen numerous physicians in search of a diagnosis. One doctor thought that her symptoms were the cause of her body not absorbing nutrients properly. This led to weekly infusions. This diagnosis turned out to be incorrect. She did not experience relief. Late 2015-early 2016 her symptoms became dangerous and crippling. She started to have blurred vision, dizziness, extreme fatigue and vomiting. She was no longer able to drive. These symptoms are in addition to the others she had already been experiencing. Frustrated, she sought out another doctor.
This new doctor was able to diagnosis her with Chiari Malformation. FINALLY!!! Her medical condition had a name. Throughout these five years Crystal had been in and out of hospitals and emergency rooms. Her symptoms were so constant and increasing in intensity that she required her first surgery. In March 2016 she underwent a Chiari decompression. This procedure removed the bone at the back of the skull and spine and a patch was sewn in to expand the space. Crystal felt good for about ten days before suffering an allergic reaction to the patch.
On May 24, 2016 she underwent a second surgery to remove the first patch and replace it with a different one. The next few months she was in and out of the hospital because she developed chemical meningitis (twice) and pneumonia which led to a collapsed lung. During this time she also had numerous surgeries to try to regulate intracranial pressure. Her latest surgery was less than two weeks ago and involved putting a lumbar shunt in her cranium.
As you could imagine, Crystal has been through quite an ordeal and medical bills have surmounted. Now a doctor in Rhode Island has agreed to see her. This doctor is a specialist in Chiari Malformation and is supposed to be “the best of the best”. She deals only with Chiari Malformation cases. Crystal’s consultation is at the end of April 2017.
Crystal and her husband will have to travel from Utah to Rhode Island. They are expected to be there a week for the initial consultation visit. If the doctor feels she is a candidate for a special surgery (which will hopefully put her on a course for a normal life) then they will return for the surgery. Crystal will have to remain for at least four weeks. This surgery requires at least four week recovery with no traveling.
Therefore, we are hoping to raise money so that we can alleviate some of her financial burdens. She has many medical bills already with more in the near future. We thank you for taking the time to read Crystal’s story. If you are unable to help financially then we ask that you remember Crystal and her family in your prayers. However, no donation is too small.
Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Larren LeFevre
Organizer
Manti, UT
Crystal Chidester
Beneficiary
