Help my sister Jennifer Larrivee

As some of you may or may not know my amazing sister, Jennifer, is having surgery to repair a brain aneurysm on Tuesday. She has suffered from migraines and chronic headaches since her early teens. After a particularly bad migraine about 9 years ago, her neurologist ordered an MRI, then a cerebral angiogram, and discovered the aneurysm. At the time, the risk of vision loss from repairing the aneurysm was greater than the risk of rupture. They agreed to monitor it annually.

The size stayed relatively the same up until this year, when they discovered it had almost doubled in size. Because it had grown so rapidly, the risk of rupture had significantly increased. So, the decision was made to surgically repair it as soon as possible.

Jennifer has medical insurance, and is grateful to have it, unfortunately the deductible and co-pays are quite high. It has cost her several thousands of dollars so far this year, and will continue to cost thousands as she will need to meet her deductible again starting January 1st. She will have to have numerous follow up appointments with her neurologist throughout the next year, including at least one additional cerebral angiogram, to ensure everything remains stable. In addition, she has already used up the few paid days off that she has. She has missed several days of work, and will continue to have to miss days for appointments, etc. As well as missing this whole week of work. All of this time, unpaid.

We are estimating her out of pocket costs, as well as lost money due to missing work, will amount to over $7,000.

Jenny is the most independent, self sustaining and proud woman I know and would never ask this for herself so I, as her sister and her biggest fan, am asking this for her. Any donation, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated from the bottom of our family's heart and we thank you for taking the time to read our story.

Happy Holidays and a healthy life to all.