Brain Cancer Sucks! But we can help!

Devastating... just before her 26th birthday, my friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Hi, my name is Coach Hazel, and I am going to do whatever it takes to raise the funds necessary to help pay for medical bills so that Devin Prasatek can focus on more important things like healing & recovering.

In January 2021, we were on the ice coaching and I noticed that Devin had pulled her hood up over her head. This was odd as I'd never seen her teach like this before. Thinking she was just cold, in passing I asked "you okay"... but little did she know at the time, no - she was not ok.

In her own words, here is her journey;

(dated March 14, 2021) 6 weeks ago, I was in the worst pain of my life. I was missing work because of terrible head pain and sinus pressure. I had always had seasonal migraines but never this bad. Not even sleeping seemed to help. I was sensitive to light and sound and movement. Everything was painful. And then I woke up on Wednesday, January 27th with blood in my right eye, obstructing my vision.

I spoke to an ophthalmologist on the phone who, after hearing my symptoms, had me come to his office within the hour. There I was examined and told that my optic nerves were swollen and my eyes were hemorrhaging. I was advised to quickly head to the ER. I spent several days at Beaumont Hospital.

I was given medication and a spinal tap to lower the pressure in my head and help my eyes heal, but the source of the pressure remained a mystery until I got an MRI done. The doctors were looking for blood clots in my brain but instead discovered a tumor in my left frontal lobe. I was certainly never expecting this.

Because of Covid procedures, I was alone in the hospital when this news was delivered to me. I will freely admit to being absolutely terrified. The following days were rock bottom for me. I was so scared of the future. But through it all, I had the support of my family and friends.

While the tumor is not currently cancerous, it does need to come out. So, in 3 weeks I will be going to Cleveland Clinic to have brain surgery. But I have to say, I'm not so scared anymore. I won't have to feel like I'm alone in the hospital, because I know I have the love and support of all the people who have helped me these last few months.

The road to recovery will be long, but I'm excited to begin my journey towards health and I know I will continue to have the best people by my side through it all.

______________________

They were not able to remove 100% of the tumor. Doctors were concerned about disturbing Devin's language and speech ability so they were cautious with their approach. But they did feel confident it was enough to fully heal. Devin was back to coaching (from the boards) 3 weeks after surgery and through her positive attitude and sheer determination, Devin did fully recover! And we celebrated! Finally, she could move on with her life.

But then...

It turns out that the tumor "was" cancerous. And in follow-up exams, doctors were "watching" the remaining tumor, and it showed significant signs of growth. Just one year after the initial brain surgery, doctors decided it would be best to take the remaining tumor out.

This news was difficult to hear, as you can imagine. Any surgery comes with risks, but even more so when you are doing such complicated surgeries that involve the brain. But Devin felt if she could get through it once, she can do it again. Her spirit is inspirational.

The only problem this time is that Devin had a birthday and turned 26, meaning she is no longer eligible to be under her parent's medical insurance plan. As a young adult in life, Devin also has the responsibility of paying bills like her condo mortgage, car payment, and living expenses. Adding medical bills on top of this is enough to put anyone in hardship.

Skating family, friends, neighbors, strangers, and anyone who has compassion and wants to help... I invite you to donate today so that Devin can focus on fighting for her life back and we (her friends and supporters) can take care of raising the funds needed so she can pay her medical bills, travel to her follow-up appointments and continue to pay her bills when not able to work.

Devin initially declined my offer to set up a GoFundMe page for her first surgery, saying she would like to try to pay for things on her own. Now, she is graciously accepting help, so let's HELP her!!

Thank you for supporting my friend so she can get back on the ice doing what she loves, coaching our future stars!!