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Amity has been a true friend to all of us both in the hospital and out. Her character, pure enjoyment in life and hilarious laughter is being dampened by a multi-year struggle with painful symptoms that have finally landed her with a double diagnosis: Trigeminal Neuralgia and Multiple Sclerosis.
Her medical problems began in May 2014, three days before her wedding, with what was thought to be a simple toothache. What followed were multiple root canals, two apicoectomies, and a subsequent tooth extraction. However, the excruciating pain continued to increase.
As symptoms intensified it became clear it wasn't a dental problem and she was directed towards different providers and specialists, finally to be given the rare diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia Type 2 (TN2).
Trigeminal Neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal or 5th cranial nerve, one of the most widely distributed nerves in the head. TN is a form of neuropathic pain (pain associated with nerve injury or nerve lesion.) TN2 pain can be described as heavy, aching, stabbing, and burning. Sufferers may experience intense pain in one or in all three trigeminal nerve branches, affecting teeth, ears, sinuses, cheeks, forehead, upper and lower jaws, behind the eyes, and scalp.
Despite this constant intensifying pain, she continued to work as an RN at Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City for nearly two years after her medical problems began. She worked hard to keep her symptoms under control with diet changes, exercise and rest. Unfortunately, the horrible chronic pain coupled with an exhausting schedule of working nights at the hospital and attending doctor's appointments throughout the day became impossible to maintain, and she was forced to take a leave of absence from her passion of nursing.
Her efforts to keep her symptoms at bay and get back to work at Saint Luke's were then thwarted by another major setback: the Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.
The latest:
Amity is now dealing with two major illnesses that affect every aspect of her life. She is working on treating them both and managing the pain. At the same time, she is dealing with the pain of reconstructive dental work due to the initial missed diagnosis.
Amity has joined a trigeminal neuralgia support group in Kansas City and will be attending the national conference to learn more about her disease and find doctors that are more equipped to help with her specific symptoms, since her case is so rare.
She is doing everything right.
Running is the only activity that has been able to distract her long enough from her pain to get any relief, but her runs have become shorter and more of a struggle. As a brilliant young woman who has been running for most of her life, including half marathons with friends and family, this one time source of release and relaxation is becoming a frustration. She has even found herself able to start out on a run only to barely be able to make it back home by her own power, fighting the physical battles with her own body.
Amity loves animals and has two dogs and a growing clan of kitties that keep her company while she is stuck more and more at home. She usually hosts a hilarious annual dog party with all of her co-workers but this year has not been able to muster the energy.
Her love and compassion for animals is only topped by her true joy in being a nurse. Her vibrancy and energy have inspired her coworkers, patients and their families alike. Being a caring nurse comes naturally to Amity as she gives all of herself to anyone in need of help at the bedside or just one of her gorgeous smiles.
Amity's ability to make everyone laugh and give all of herself to her passions at home and at work make her even more deserving of our help.
She and her husband have re-financed their house, she's used all of her sick leave and PTO at work and is now struggling to pay for her insurance out of pocket as well as all of her bills, and this is all before she has really even begun her fight. She has only just recently been delivered with an actual diagnosis.
She describes herself as "not that kind of person" when it comes to asking for money and feels like she has been reduced to begging for help. We want her to keep her head held high throughout this process and we can directly help her do that. We know that she will be blown away with our outpouring of generosity that she just would never expect as such a hardworking and independent young woman.
Her medical problems began in May 2014, three days before her wedding, with what was thought to be a simple toothache. What followed were multiple root canals, two apicoectomies, and a subsequent tooth extraction. However, the excruciating pain continued to increase.
As symptoms intensified it became clear it wasn't a dental problem and she was directed towards different providers and specialists, finally to be given the rare diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia Type 2 (TN2).
Trigeminal Neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal or 5th cranial nerve, one of the most widely distributed nerves in the head. TN is a form of neuropathic pain (pain associated with nerve injury or nerve lesion.) TN2 pain can be described as heavy, aching, stabbing, and burning. Sufferers may experience intense pain in one or in all three trigeminal nerve branches, affecting teeth, ears, sinuses, cheeks, forehead, upper and lower jaws, behind the eyes, and scalp.
Despite this constant intensifying pain, she continued to work as an RN at Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City for nearly two years after her medical problems began. She worked hard to keep her symptoms under control with diet changes, exercise and rest. Unfortunately, the horrible chronic pain coupled with an exhausting schedule of working nights at the hospital and attending doctor's appointments throughout the day became impossible to maintain, and she was forced to take a leave of absence from her passion of nursing.
Her efforts to keep her symptoms at bay and get back to work at Saint Luke's were then thwarted by another major setback: the Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.
The latest:
Amity is now dealing with two major illnesses that affect every aspect of her life. She is working on treating them both and managing the pain. At the same time, she is dealing with the pain of reconstructive dental work due to the initial missed diagnosis.
Amity has joined a trigeminal neuralgia support group in Kansas City and will be attending the national conference to learn more about her disease and find doctors that are more equipped to help with her specific symptoms, since her case is so rare.
She is doing everything right.
Running is the only activity that has been able to distract her long enough from her pain to get any relief, but her runs have become shorter and more of a struggle. As a brilliant young woman who has been running for most of her life, including half marathons with friends and family, this one time source of release and relaxation is becoming a frustration. She has even found herself able to start out on a run only to barely be able to make it back home by her own power, fighting the physical battles with her own body.
Amity loves animals and has two dogs and a growing clan of kitties that keep her company while she is stuck more and more at home. She usually hosts a hilarious annual dog party with all of her co-workers but this year has not been able to muster the energy.
Her love and compassion for animals is only topped by her true joy in being a nurse. Her vibrancy and energy have inspired her coworkers, patients and their families alike. Being a caring nurse comes naturally to Amity as she gives all of herself to anyone in need of help at the bedside or just one of her gorgeous smiles.
Amity's ability to make everyone laugh and give all of herself to her passions at home and at work make her even more deserving of our help.
She and her husband have re-financed their house, she's used all of her sick leave and PTO at work and is now struggling to pay for her insurance out of pocket as well as all of her bills, and this is all before she has really even begun her fight. She has only just recently been delivered with an actual diagnosis.
She describes herself as "not that kind of person" when it comes to asking for money and feels like she has been reduced to begging for help. We want her to keep her head held high throughout this process and we can directly help her do that. We know that she will be blown away with our outpouring of generosity that she just would never expect as such a hardworking and independent young woman.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amity Zepeda
Beneficiary