Aid Crystal's Journey Through Chiari Malformation

Hello, My name is Crystal. I am a 32-year-old mom of 3 beautiful kids. On June 11th, I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation w/ Syrinx, a condition where my skull is too small for my brain causing my cerebellum to push up against my spinal canal which has then caused a cyst to form in my spinal cord. This has caused me to have a large list of symptoms like throbbing migraines brought on by laughing, coughing, straining or crying, severe dizziness, memory loss, brain fog, ringing and pain in the left ear, numbness and tingling of the hands and feet or sometimes even loss of temperature sensation in one hand, that's just to name a few. I felt so relieved when I was finally diagnosed like I knew it all along and I wasn't going crazy! But there is no cure, this is something I will live with for the rest of my life.

It has been a tough and at times lonely, because this is such an invisible illness. From the outside, I look fine and healthy. I push through as much as I can on my tough days for my family & to continue working. I was told a couple days ago that I will definitely need surgery and it is set for Monday, September 9th. There is no curing Chiari Malformation but having the cyst in my spinal canal is what is most dangerous and can cause permanent damage in the future so in order to get to the cyst; treatment to the source must be done. They will remove a piece of my skull near my C1 & C2 to relieve the pressure off my cerebellum & allow my brain fluid to flow as it's supposed to.

I don't like to ask for help but I feel in this case I have to put my pride aside and accept any help I can get. With the medical expenses of hospital bills, Dr. visits & being out of work for 6 weeks after surgery, this will take a toll on me and my family financially. I appreciate anything you can donate, even just some encouraging words or prayers. Thank you for taking the time to hear my story.

"God is within her, she will not fall" Psalm 46:5