Hi friends and family.  Many of you reading this already know the battle I have been fighting for the last five years. It has been long, arduous, and required much patience. Now I wish to tell my story to help those who have sacrificed much so that I may live a healthy and pain free life. 

About six years ago I was diagnosed with a brain malformation that blocked spinal fluid to my brain causing extreme headaches, blackouts, numbness, and tingling among other symptoms. Shortly thereafter I had brain decompression surgery which led to a very rough recovery. After years of continued black outs, fainting, and pain, I was finally able to say with confidence I felt healthy again. Four and a half years later, I was diagnosed with the same problem.  Just three months ago, I stood dumbfounded as my surgeon told me I was within the mere 10% in which a second surgery was necessary. In that moment my nightmare became reality.  I had to drop out of my senior year of college, endure another long, painful and expensive surgery. Now I am finally on the other side, being almost two months post-op. Once again I am having a rough recovery and am in the process of trying to figure out how to graduate college. 

For years I have felt guilty of my condition, wishing I was born normal so I wouldn't have to put my parents through this hell. I have been torn that I have cost them so much money, as the medical bills show up day after day, never seeming to end. Yet, now I am finally trying to re-wire my mind, and to listen when people tell me that God did not make a mistake when he made me. I wasn't a flaw in the system and trust that He will provide. 

I have moved back to my home in Summerland and continue to make tiny improvements each day. Yet, while I may appear to be healthy and on my way to life as I knew it, I am far from it. I still have pain. I only have partial feeling in my legs and arms. I feel helpless, unable to work, and having to rely financially on my parents once again. I am hoping beyond hope that I will be able to have the strength and stamina to go back to college in the spring, as planned. This unexpected hiccup has drained my family mentally and financially. I often fear that my medical bills may hinder my ability to finish my senior year and get a degree. My parents have given me everything they have through this process, and after not having one, but two brain decompression surgeries, I feel helpless. I hope you will assist me in finding a way to not only say thank you for their sacrifice, but to give back a small piece of what they have so lovingly given me. 

Thank you all for your never ending prayers and friendship,

Beka.