Join us on Parker's TETHERED Medical Journey

Carla Pruitt is organizing this fundraiser.

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We earnestly ask for prayer for our sweet Parker. You may remember we searched all over the US in 2021 for answers to the medical problems she was having with her foot and leg turning purple. Though she was dismissed by many medical professionals, she was finally diagnosed with several Vascular Compression Syndromes in Maryland. We went to Colorado to the renowned Dr. Brooke Spencer, who placed a stent in a vein on Parker's left side, which was successful in reducing symptoms of May-Thurner Syndrome.

Fast forward to August 2024, Parker is now at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, studying biomedical sciences with aspirations to attend medical school. Within the first week of starting her senior year, many of her symptoms returned, but worse than before and in both legs, not just one. We struggle with the unease of starting the nightmare all over again. Dr. Spencer responded immediately when we contacted her, and we had orders for imaging in Virginia the same day. We were beyond grateful to learn that Parker's stent was clear and there was no impending emergency present. However, it also left us back at square one with not knowing what is causing these changes. Dr. Spencer continued to search for answers and ordered additional imaging studies that were completed at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. When all of the imaging revealed no clues, Dr. Spencer referred us to a renowned neurosurgeon in Rhode Island that she had been communicating with regarding patients they were both treating. They have found that many symptoms like Parker's are also seen in a condition we had never heard of...Tethered Cord Syndrome (TCS). Dr. Petra Klinge at Brown University reviewed Parker's MRIs and CTs which revealed that her anatomy was suggestive of TCS. So, we scheduled an appointment and waited. Her symptoms continued to progress as we waited from November 2024 until March 2025.

In the meantime, she was in a motor vehicle crash that left her with a severe concussion and whiplash. She had additional scans, multiple doctor visits, missed a great deal of school in her high level science classes, could not work and was attending vestibular therapy and cognitive therapy three times a week. Liberty graciously provided modifications through Student Services for her to stand in her classes and take her exams standing up in the testing center. Parker continues to suffer from Post Concussion Syndrome and remains in weekly Physical Therapy.

Fast forward to today. We just returned from our medical trip to Rhode Island and meeting with Dr Klinge. Parker received the diagnosis we were anticipating, TCS. Based on the progression of her symptoms, findings on her physical exam and meeting criteria for the diagnosis Dr. Klinge suggested surgery sooner than later. Surgery is scheduled for May 13th, just four days after she graduates with her Bachelor's Degree from Liberty University.

The surgery to release her tethered cord will require three days hospitalization followed by ten plus days remaining in Rhode Island for post op observation and recovery since we live so far away. This medical trip will require airline transportation, rental car/Ubers, meals, require two weeks staying in a hotel/AirBnB, and rental of adaptive equipment for recovery. It will also require mom to miss more than two weeks of work without pay, will exhaust our insurance out-of-pocket maximum, and most certainly have expenses we have not yet accounted for.

We covet your prayers for Parker, Dr. Spencer, Dr. Klinge and all the providers that we encounter as we seek answers and relief. These tests have been expensive, the travel is expensive, and we find ourselves struggling with the impending costs of getting her the care she needs. If you feel led, we humbly ask for any love offering towards Parker's medical expenses in the months ahead. These medical issues ended her NCAA athletic career and caused her to return home from college in 2021. They have now required a change of major and temporarily delayed her dream of attending medical school. There are so many factors that complicate her current state as she continues to endure negative impacts affecting her physically, emotionally, mentally, cognitively, and academically. While it is supremely humbling to ask for help, we would not ask if it was not a real need. We commit to putting any gift towards her medical care and expenses. However, the most important gift you could bestow to Parker and our family is your fervent prayers. Would you join me in praying these specific prayers?

Parker's ability to manage her studies and work duties despite time away, physical limitations, and discomfort
Praise for Liberty's willingness to make accommodations for Parker's physical needs and limitations
Continued Mercy and grace from her professors and lab assistants
Providers and facilities who have expertise with vascular compressions and who are willing to collaborate with Dr. Spencer and Dr. Klinge
Provisions for travel and medical needs
A safe return trip to Rhode Island, skilled hands and precision for Dr. Klinge and her staff working on Parker's spinal cord
A full and uneventful recovery after surgery with resolved symptoms
Relief for Parker's discomfort, strength and endurance to press on, and her continued steadfast pursuit of Jesus

Thank you for taking the time to read this, for your thoughts and prayers for our family—especially Parker, and for loving us so well.

We know we are beyond blessed with amazing family and friends, and we are eternally grateful. We love you.

DR. PETRA KLINGE - NEUROSURGEON

https://brownneurosurgery.com/our-team/petra-klinge-md-phd/

DR. BROOKE SPENCER - INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGIST

https://mipscenter.com/about-us/&ved=2ahUKEwjP6aHg6IOMAxUZTTABHavmCCAQFnoECCsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw18mtaucgMZMsuFhYJ-brpI" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://mipscenter.com/about-us/&ved=2ahUKEwjP6aHg6IOMAxUZTTABHavmCCAQFnoECCsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw18mtaucgMZMsuFhYJ-brpI" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://mipscenter.com/about-us/&ved=2ahUKEwjP6aHg6IOMAxUZTTABHavmCCAQFnoECCsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw18mtaucgMZMsuFhYJ-brpI" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://mipscenter.com/about-us/&ved=2ahUKEwjP6aHg6IOMAxUZTTABHavmCCAQFnoECCsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw18mtaucgMZMsuFhYJ-brpI" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://mipscenter.com/about-us/&ved=2ahUKEwjP6aHg6IOMAxUZTTABHavmCCAQFnoECCsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw18mtaucgMZMsuFhYJ-brpI

MAY THURNER SYNDROME

https://www.webmd.com/dvt/may-thurner-syndrome

NUTCRACKER SYNDROME

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23494-nutcracker-syndrome

MEDIAN ARCUATE LIGAMENT SYNDROME

https://www.umms.org/ummc/health-services/heart-vascular/services/vascular-disease/conditions/vascular-compressions/mals