For those of you who don’t know me personally, I’d love to introduce myself. My name is Alexandra. I am currently trying to fund the multiple trips it will take from El Paso to Houston in order to see a neurosurgeon who specializes in the type of brain tumor I have. I have a pineal brain tumor (which is located near the center of the brain in case you’re unfamiliar with this tumor). I have known about it since being diagnosed in 2016.

In 2016, my symptoms were mild and manageable, and my life and quality of life were drastically different. I was active, working, and thriving despite the setback of having a tumor. I worked passionately as an ICU/CVICU/Covid ICU nurse for years and loved my job. I even underwent therapeutic lumbar punctures to help relieve the pressure in my brain and received yearly MRIs to monitor its growth. Over the years, the symptoms have gradually increased, and I put off the option of surgically removing the tumor for as long as possible. A surgery to remove a tumor in the center of your brain is not something you jump into hastily.

In 2021, I got married and we started our family, which has now grown by four children. This made the thought of surgery even more daunting because of the serious risks involved and my concern for leaving my family without a mother and wife should it not be successful. While pregnant over these past four years, the MRIs to check on the tumor’s growth and status have been deferred.

In 2023, I began to experience back pain, numbness, and nerve pain in my limbs. I was dismissed from my job as an ICU nurse because I was labeled as a liability. Since then, I have had countless MRIs, CTs, and X-rays of my spine to monitor its condition. I was then diagnosed with spinal osteoarthritis throughout, bulging thoracic and lumbar discs, along with impinged nerves due to narrowing of the spinal cord. I was referred to a pain management specialist and have undergone multiple rounds of physical therapy to help strengthen my back. With four children, aged three and under, having the tumor and its effects as well as the osteoarthritis and disc issues, it makes daily tasks and caring for my family much more difficult.

Within the past month or so, my symptoms have worsened to include intense migraines, eye pain, dizziness, loss of balance, nausea, and vomiting. Despite this, I still prioritize taking our family to mass, being consistent with all treatments and therapies (an appointment each weekday for the next month), and do my best to care for my family.

Things have progressed to the point where surgery to remove the tumor and hopefully resolve these issues is now a priority. We have a referral in place and authorized by our insurance to see a neurosurgeon in Houston, Dr. Yoshua Esquenazi, who specializes in the removal of pineal tumors.

Funds raised on this platform would go towards traveling roundtrip to Houston with our vehicle, housing for the visit, food expenses, copays for the appointments, and to help offset the lost wages that will occur while my husband takes off work to care for our children. There will be multiple appointments; the first appointment being on July 23rd if all goes well and we can afford the trip to Houston (~3-4 days total). Once I undergo this initial evaluation, we’ll have a better idea of the surgical plans to come, if I am a candidate for the surgery to remove the tumor. From there, we will also have a better idea of how many additional appointments are required.

Once surgery happens, there will be a lengthy period of time we have to set aside for recovery, which is extremely difficult with 4 young children. There will be many restrictions on what I can do safely while I recover, as well as multiple follow-up appointments yet again. These funds raised will contribute to all of the aforementioned anticipated expenses. And I would love to keep you updated along this long journey we have ahead of us.

In advance, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for you taking the time to read my story, share it, and/or donate. If you can’t donate, I completely understand and would greatly appreciate it if you might share our link. May God bless you and repay you all for your kindness and generosity more than we ever could.