Tricia York's Medical Expenses
Donation protected
Hello dear friends, family and soon to be friends,
We all know that life can stop you dead in your tracks when you or someone you love dearly are faced with a major medical illness or some sort of enabling condition that prevents them from living their life fully. Not only can this be devastating and painfully hard, it can be extremely overwhelming, confusing and downright scary. Last February, I was dropped into the middle of this overwhelming and chaotic world as a direct result of a horrible fall, hitting the back of my head and left lying unconscious for a period of time.
How it all started. Last February, I passed out at work in the restroom and that was the beginning of this journey for me. When this happened, I fell backwards, hitting the back of my head on a porcelain toilet outside of normal work hours which was required as part of my job. After the fall, I was left lying there-unconscious until I was found by the facility cleaning staff almost 40 minutes later. To this day, I thank the beloved that these beautiful folks worked that day. For most, this would definitely cause a big lump on the head, a headache or a slight concussion that lasts a few days but it would most likely not change the course of their lives or be the cause of some sort of major brain injury, like it did for me. Unfortunately, I was one of the unlucky ones where the impact from this fall caused the latter. The impacts from this fall were many but most significant, it resulted in a pretty traumatic brain injury where my central nervous system took the bulk of it. Unknowingly at the time-why my headaches continued to become more and more extreme or were triggered by turning to the right or coughing, sneezing or anything requiring me to strain or bend over. I had other neurological and physical symptoms progressing at a fast pace until all of them stopped me dead in my tracks and life as I knew it, was not going to be the same.Since then, I've lost a tremendous amount of neurological function as a result of a blockage in my spinal column not allowing spinal fluid to enter my brain or send neurological messages down to critical parts of my body, I'm not even going to go on and on about the amount and extent of pain that lives in my daily. What I have been experiencing is that all of my symptoms of Chiari had returned.
Most folks have never heard of Chiari, which I became symptomatic again after that bad fall in February, and as you could imagine when I was again thrown back into that chaotic & confusing world of medical test after test--hearing the words brain damage and brain surgery somehow i let them float in one ear and out the other because there was no way in the deep dark underworld, I was gonna go through this again. By this point I had seen over 9 neurosurgeons, and a multitude of other doctors ranging from neurologist to naturopathic doctors to everything in between, all genuinely wanting to help but not able to see the linkage and connection between all of my symptoms and what can be done to resolve it. But nothing provided relief or any real solution to resolving my symptoms. Which include the worst pain imaginable in the back of my head, which feels as though it is stuck between the road and a MACK truck with a ice pick stabbing me from the back of my head through to my right eye. This is completely debilitating and can be triggered by dropping a dime and binding over to pick it up, or from coughing, sneezing, or with any major physical exertion. Since then, I've lost over 80% of my hearing to hi and low frequencies, I live daily with excruciating pain in my neck and shoulders with burning numbness and some neuropathy going down the right side of my body, I have a lot of issues swallowing, I am constantly short of breath, hate to be so honest but i no longer have the sensation of hunger, that my bladder is full and am afraid if i wait to long to have the surgery-how else will this disease progress? These are just some of the symptoms I have an explanation for. All, due to having a blockage in my spinal cord right as it enters my brain, all causing major pressure and compression in my brain and spinal cord and at time blocks or disrupts the flow of cerebrospinal fluid from getting to my brain and the neurological transmission to my organs and extremities. I am no longer able to live an active life let alone to take care of myself without help. Until one day, a sweet friend was talking with another friend and learned that they both have friends with similar conditions. I was given this woman's contact information and was afraid to call at first, but finally I had reached my last straw and summoned up the courage to contact her. After 15 minutes on the phone with her, I actually had a sense of hope. She provided me with a name and number a world renown expert in North Carolina. My doctor sent him all of my records and by fall, I was on my way back to North Carolina for a Consult with him, thanks to my sweet friends providing me with standby tickets. The consultation lasted 4 hours and I was sent to the local hospital for more testing. Before I left, this brilliant doctor was able to show me exactly what was wrong and what needed corrected urgently. It was clear I would need another brain and upper cervical spine surgery as soon as possible but it has been denied my insurance plan. The only thing standing in the way of my miracle to correct these symptoms and get back to living and enjoying life again is the funds to pay for the surgery. What other profound physical & neurological consequences will i have to face the longer I wait? Too many to speak of.
In my effort to explain why falling and hitting the back of my head is so significant, I need to give a little background which left me vulnerable to injuries like this. In 2006, I was involved in a traumatic ski accident, which identified a congenital brain defect that required me to undergo cervical spine and extensive brain surgery. This was my first introduction to Chiari. The brain surgery left a beautiful 3" by 4" hole in the back of my head thus exposing an unprotected area of my brain and brainstem. The 2006 surgery gave me back a great chunk of my life but it was with great limitations and with those, allowing me to pursue some semblance of my passion for adventure and doing the things I love to do in the outdoors & with my family.
Living a life where I am not an active, constructive person in it isn't for a person like me. To understand that statement, please let me share a little bit of who I am. I grew up a military brat moving from place to place every few years until we moved to the LA area. I left Redondo Beach after high school to pursue a dream of working and living in the High Sierra Mountain range and to work as a firefighter on the Plumas National Forest. I was fortunate to work there for many years in fire, as a wilderness ranger and as a biological science technician until I finished college and worked with a group of the most passionate and amazing biologists, I have ever met-even to this day. I have been very blessed with great mentors and friends to ensure I was always on the right track. My career continued forward to other National Forests, then to Lake Tahoe where I worked for the first ever bi-state agency created by Congress and then to UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center for my forever dream job. Besides my commitment to my work and to my family, I love more than anything to be outside doing the things I loved to do when I felt good and was 75-85% well. A few of my favorite hobbies have been basically ANYTHING outside but to just list a few: I am a lover of learning and understanding the way the universe works and the relationship of everything within it, an avid rock climber, river and ocean kayaker, avid bird watcher, hiker, ice climber, back country skier, mountaineering, winter camping, outdoor winter survivalist instructor across the country and with military units, a true lover of wildness and most importantly, being a mom to two of the most extraordinary, intelligent, beautiful, compassionate women I know, my twin daughters. These two young ladies, now women have given me a clear purpose in life and that was to always be honest, have integrity, show up for those you love and more importantly for those who may be in need. I want to live that passionately again, even if it comes with some physical limitations but at least i would be living whole heartedly. As each day passes, I am quickly approaching the tipping point where this condition will take an irreversible toll on my body, so I am asking you for your help and support to make this surgery possible. That is why we have set up this GoFundMe campaign in hopes that it will work its magic reaching out to folks that are willing to help out financially if they can. Even if its a dollar or a prayer, for me every little bit helps. This is the second time I've had to look this brain injury nightmare right in the eye, and while some may say, one cannot put a price on ones life, that is absolutely true and would be my advice to anyone in my position. I have to believe in miracles and the loving compassion of others willingness to help and I must find the courage to at least try. I am not ready to sit back and accept my extreme physical symptoms as my life's fate, theres so much more passion inside of me to be living, to be of service to others, to find real solutions to real world issues. This is an extremely difficult thing for me to do, asking for financial help from others but it's important enough to me, that i am worth it and must to at least try. If I could visualize any other possible option(s), I’ve tried them. Right now, and because time is of the absolute essence. The surgery has been scheduled for December 16th, what a great way to ring in the new year.
So, I ask you, that if you are in a position and find it in your heart to help offset some of these medical expenses for this surgery, I would be forever grateful and will devote my life to helping others as you have helped me. I feel extremely vulnerable asking for your help, but I have to have courage so that i can walk into this surgery with the least amount of stress possible for the most optimal outcome possible. Please consider donating to this GoFundMe campaign- this is a safe a secure website. if you would rather send a check or money order directly to me through the mail, I would be happy to provide you with my contact info. Again I truly appreciate your willingness to consider funding my campaign and thank you from the bottom of my heart in advance. Updates will be made to this site during and post surgery and throughout my recovery. I have a sense of responsibility to ensure that you are able to see the miracle that you have brought to my life. If you find yourself in the position of not being able to help financially, can I ask you to hold a positive prayer for me on December 16th. I am a strong believer in the power of prayer and both ends will help me reach the goal of a normal life again.
With every fiber in my being, I thank you
Love and respect,
Tricia
We all know that life can stop you dead in your tracks when you or someone you love dearly are faced with a major medical illness or some sort of enabling condition that prevents them from living their life fully. Not only can this be devastating and painfully hard, it can be extremely overwhelming, confusing and downright scary. Last February, I was dropped into the middle of this overwhelming and chaotic world as a direct result of a horrible fall, hitting the back of my head and left lying unconscious for a period of time.
How it all started. Last February, I passed out at work in the restroom and that was the beginning of this journey for me. When this happened, I fell backwards, hitting the back of my head on a porcelain toilet outside of normal work hours which was required as part of my job. After the fall, I was left lying there-unconscious until I was found by the facility cleaning staff almost 40 minutes later. To this day, I thank the beloved that these beautiful folks worked that day. For most, this would definitely cause a big lump on the head, a headache or a slight concussion that lasts a few days but it would most likely not change the course of their lives or be the cause of some sort of major brain injury, like it did for me. Unfortunately, I was one of the unlucky ones where the impact from this fall caused the latter. The impacts from this fall were many but most significant, it resulted in a pretty traumatic brain injury where my central nervous system took the bulk of it. Unknowingly at the time-why my headaches continued to become more and more extreme or were triggered by turning to the right or coughing, sneezing or anything requiring me to strain or bend over. I had other neurological and physical symptoms progressing at a fast pace until all of them stopped me dead in my tracks and life as I knew it, was not going to be the same.Since then, I've lost a tremendous amount of neurological function as a result of a blockage in my spinal column not allowing spinal fluid to enter my brain or send neurological messages down to critical parts of my body, I'm not even going to go on and on about the amount and extent of pain that lives in my daily. What I have been experiencing is that all of my symptoms of Chiari had returned.
Most folks have never heard of Chiari, which I became symptomatic again after that bad fall in February, and as you could imagine when I was again thrown back into that chaotic & confusing world of medical test after test--hearing the words brain damage and brain surgery somehow i let them float in one ear and out the other because there was no way in the deep dark underworld, I was gonna go through this again. By this point I had seen over 9 neurosurgeons, and a multitude of other doctors ranging from neurologist to naturopathic doctors to everything in between, all genuinely wanting to help but not able to see the linkage and connection between all of my symptoms and what can be done to resolve it. But nothing provided relief or any real solution to resolving my symptoms. Which include the worst pain imaginable in the back of my head, which feels as though it is stuck between the road and a MACK truck with a ice pick stabbing me from the back of my head through to my right eye. This is completely debilitating and can be triggered by dropping a dime and binding over to pick it up, or from coughing, sneezing, or with any major physical exertion. Since then, I've lost over 80% of my hearing to hi and low frequencies, I live daily with excruciating pain in my neck and shoulders with burning numbness and some neuropathy going down the right side of my body, I have a lot of issues swallowing, I am constantly short of breath, hate to be so honest but i no longer have the sensation of hunger, that my bladder is full and am afraid if i wait to long to have the surgery-how else will this disease progress? These are just some of the symptoms I have an explanation for. All, due to having a blockage in my spinal cord right as it enters my brain, all causing major pressure and compression in my brain and spinal cord and at time blocks or disrupts the flow of cerebrospinal fluid from getting to my brain and the neurological transmission to my organs and extremities. I am no longer able to live an active life let alone to take care of myself without help. Until one day, a sweet friend was talking with another friend and learned that they both have friends with similar conditions. I was given this woman's contact information and was afraid to call at first, but finally I had reached my last straw and summoned up the courage to contact her. After 15 minutes on the phone with her, I actually had a sense of hope. She provided me with a name and number a world renown expert in North Carolina. My doctor sent him all of my records and by fall, I was on my way back to North Carolina for a Consult with him, thanks to my sweet friends providing me with standby tickets. The consultation lasted 4 hours and I was sent to the local hospital for more testing. Before I left, this brilliant doctor was able to show me exactly what was wrong and what needed corrected urgently. It was clear I would need another brain and upper cervical spine surgery as soon as possible but it has been denied my insurance plan. The only thing standing in the way of my miracle to correct these symptoms and get back to living and enjoying life again is the funds to pay for the surgery. What other profound physical & neurological consequences will i have to face the longer I wait? Too many to speak of.
In my effort to explain why falling and hitting the back of my head is so significant, I need to give a little background which left me vulnerable to injuries like this. In 2006, I was involved in a traumatic ski accident, which identified a congenital brain defect that required me to undergo cervical spine and extensive brain surgery. This was my first introduction to Chiari. The brain surgery left a beautiful 3" by 4" hole in the back of my head thus exposing an unprotected area of my brain and brainstem. The 2006 surgery gave me back a great chunk of my life but it was with great limitations and with those, allowing me to pursue some semblance of my passion for adventure and doing the things I love to do in the outdoors & with my family.
Living a life where I am not an active, constructive person in it isn't for a person like me. To understand that statement, please let me share a little bit of who I am. I grew up a military brat moving from place to place every few years until we moved to the LA area. I left Redondo Beach after high school to pursue a dream of working and living in the High Sierra Mountain range and to work as a firefighter on the Plumas National Forest. I was fortunate to work there for many years in fire, as a wilderness ranger and as a biological science technician until I finished college and worked with a group of the most passionate and amazing biologists, I have ever met-even to this day. I have been very blessed with great mentors and friends to ensure I was always on the right track. My career continued forward to other National Forests, then to Lake Tahoe where I worked for the first ever bi-state agency created by Congress and then to UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center for my forever dream job. Besides my commitment to my work and to my family, I love more than anything to be outside doing the things I loved to do when I felt good and was 75-85% well. A few of my favorite hobbies have been basically ANYTHING outside but to just list a few: I am a lover of learning and understanding the way the universe works and the relationship of everything within it, an avid rock climber, river and ocean kayaker, avid bird watcher, hiker, ice climber, back country skier, mountaineering, winter camping, outdoor winter survivalist instructor across the country and with military units, a true lover of wildness and most importantly, being a mom to two of the most extraordinary, intelligent, beautiful, compassionate women I know, my twin daughters. These two young ladies, now women have given me a clear purpose in life and that was to always be honest, have integrity, show up for those you love and more importantly for those who may be in need. I want to live that passionately again, even if it comes with some physical limitations but at least i would be living whole heartedly. As each day passes, I am quickly approaching the tipping point where this condition will take an irreversible toll on my body, so I am asking you for your help and support to make this surgery possible. That is why we have set up this GoFundMe campaign in hopes that it will work its magic reaching out to folks that are willing to help out financially if they can. Even if its a dollar or a prayer, for me every little bit helps. This is the second time I've had to look this brain injury nightmare right in the eye, and while some may say, one cannot put a price on ones life, that is absolutely true and would be my advice to anyone in my position. I have to believe in miracles and the loving compassion of others willingness to help and I must find the courage to at least try. I am not ready to sit back and accept my extreme physical symptoms as my life's fate, theres so much more passion inside of me to be living, to be of service to others, to find real solutions to real world issues. This is an extremely difficult thing for me to do, asking for financial help from others but it's important enough to me, that i am worth it and must to at least try. If I could visualize any other possible option(s), I’ve tried them. Right now, and because time is of the absolute essence. The surgery has been scheduled for December 16th, what a great way to ring in the new year.
So, I ask you, that if you are in a position and find it in your heart to help offset some of these medical expenses for this surgery, I would be forever grateful and will devote my life to helping others as you have helped me. I feel extremely vulnerable asking for your help, but I have to have courage so that i can walk into this surgery with the least amount of stress possible for the most optimal outcome possible. Please consider donating to this GoFundMe campaign- this is a safe a secure website. if you would rather send a check or money order directly to me through the mail, I would be happy to provide you with my contact info. Again I truly appreciate your willingness to consider funding my campaign and thank you from the bottom of my heart in advance. Updates will be made to this site during and post surgery and throughout my recovery. I have a sense of responsibility to ensure that you are able to see the miracle that you have brought to my life. If you find yourself in the position of not being able to help financially, can I ask you to hold a positive prayer for me on December 16th. I am a strong believer in the power of prayer and both ends will help me reach the goal of a normal life again.
With every fiber in my being, I thank you
Love and respect,
Tricia
Organizer
Tricia York
Organizer
South Lake Tahoe, CA