Caitlin Brooks

As some of you know Caitlin has been having a really hard time for about 9 months. She is a wife to an amazing husband and has an absolute blessing of a daughter, the reason she gets up every morning and pushes through her struggles day in and day out. being a sailor's wife comes with great responsibility and strength, and often times she too strong for her own good. Now is the time for her to let her guard down and ask for help, even if it's just you sending well wishes and love. Caitlin was diagnosed with chiari malformation in 2007, this is a congenital condition.  After a car accident in high school she began having severe chronic pain, dizziness, black outs, extremely painful headaches and neck pain are just a few symptoms to mention. After years of pain management and a multitude of doctors, she finally found a doctor to help. She has had one surgery already and had immediate relief for  5 years, but all of her symptoms have come back with a vengeance. Unsure of what set it off, she had an MRI which, validates these symptoms. Out of all these consultations with 4 different neurosurgeons, Dr. canute at crouse hospital made her feel most comfortable and relieved with his concern and genuine need to help her simply put, "the lower part of my brain is pushing down through the hole in my skull and blocking my spinal cord so that the fluid around my brain is blocked from flowing as it should". There are many risks and potential complications that can occur. and being that it is her second surgery, she's at a higher risk. With that said the surgery will consist of "they will be removing more bone from my skull, putting in a much larger dura patch and sewing it in, lastly dissecting the cerebellar tonsils to create more room and initiate more flow of fluid around my brain."  Between the surgery itself, treatment after surgery, hospital stay and anesthesia, we are looking for help for copays, care and assistance while out of work. She will be out of work for a minimum of 3 months, the second surgery date is scheduled for  5/21/14. This is where we are going to need any help from all friends and family. please put the word out so she can get some relief. Lastly,  know anything anyone can do to help is greatly appreciated.