Meningioma Mom
Donation protected
As a single mother of 2 boys (10 and 7), I’ve felt really proud to keep my ship afloat in the past year. My goal for 2018 was to pay off the debts I incurred after moving with my children on New Years Day 2017. It was a constant battle to get any kind of child support in the first 9 months, but I have been determined to provide my children with a good life: food on the table, warm beds, a roof over their heads.
Things haven’t been perfect, but I’ve honestly had no complaints. Life is looking up for my little family for the first time in a very long time.
One month ago, however, I went to the doctor because of terrible pain in my shoulders, spine and neck that I was experiencing. During that visit one question lead to another for the doctor and other symptoms started coming to light. The doctor immediately set me up with a neurologist, who set me up with 6 MRIs, which found two tumors — meningioma — pressing against my brain. One in the protective layers of the left temporal lobe and the other behind my right eye on the right sephenoid wing. I also learned that at some point I suffered an injury to my spine (my best guess is a car accident my family was in when I was 6) that was never spotted or treated. That injury has slowly but surely done damage up and down my entire spine, with most being focused on the top where I no longer have a curve, but rather a straight spine that is basically being constantly attacked with spasms by the muscles around it.
It has been a whirlwind of doctor’s appointments, testing, physical therapy and injections for the pain. The day after Christmas I will be going to the Mayo Clinic to consult with a neurologist and a neurosurgeon. I have had more than a few bad days lately, but I’m determined to stay positive for my kids and myself...attitude is a big part of this battle.
I have struggled with the idea of asking for financial help but as the bills mount up and more and more appointments are scheduled — I have been traveling (I’m very fortunate to only be 90 minutes from THE medical facility of the United States, and I’m grateful for that) and missing work more and more. My hope with this GoFundMe is to get some help with defraying the cost of missing work and travel, as well as keeping up with the out-of-pocket expenses.
Organizer
Janelle Elizabeth
Organizer
Eagan, MN