Hi everyone!

Many of you know my little sister Katie and brother-in-law, Armando. For those who don’t, Katie and Armando are incredible parents to two amazing young children, Faye (2 years) and their newest baby, Wolfgang (5 months). We recently learned that Armando has been dealing with some unexpected health issues that require urgent surgical attention. We are gratefully asking for any help you can provide to their family while Armando undergoes brain surgery and is out of work for 1-2 months.

They knew something was wrong in January when he began getting headaches and pulsatile tinnitus, which progressed to vision issues in April. These constant and painful issues were disruptive and concerning enough to prompt Armando to go see a doctor to get an MRI/MRA. Scans confirmed that he has a cyst slightly larger than a golf ball in his brain, sitting behind his eyes.

The scans were followed by a series of doctor's visits, referrals to a neurologist, ophthalmologist, and neurosurgeon, as well as many brain scans over the last four months. After weeks of anxiously waiting for a plan, the neurosurgeon decided to schedule him for brain surgery on September 3, 2025.

The cause of the cyst is still unknown, so the goal of the surgery is to remove and test the cyst and try to prevent it from growing back. Recovery time is estimated to be 3-4 weeks, contingent on the surgery going exactly as planned with no further complications.

The cost of scans and doctor’s visits alone has already begun to add up for their little family, and the lingering unknowns and what-ifs of the surgery have had a huge impact on them mentally and emotionally. While they have insurance, any donations will cover their deductible, co-pays, and co-insurance, along with missed wages. Both Armando and Katie used their paid FMLA when Wolfie was born, so they will be taking this time off unpaid. I am hoping to raise as much funding as possible so that they can focus on recovery, healing, and taking care of their little ones.

Katie and Armando are super humble people and would never ask for help themselves, but I know that they are feeling extremely overwhelmed by this process and the sticker shock tied to these pricey appointments, scans, and surgery to come. Any financial help that friends or family are willing to give would go a really long way to ease the burden for them during this time.

We are hopeful for a positive outcome, but there is a long road ahead and a lot of uncertainty. I will continue to provide updates as we go.

If you are not able to donate, they will graciously welcome any thoughts, prayers, kind words, and healing energy that you can send their way. Thank you for everything.

Holly