Brain Surgery for Drew
Donation protected
Hello again! My name is Drew. I am happily married to the man of my dreams and we have two wonderful boys, ages 6 and 9. I live in a newly rebuilt house (we had a devastating fire about four years ago) on beautiful land. Our life is mostly modest, humble, and joyful.
A little over five years ago I went to the doctor to figure out why I was experiencing double vision. It was then discovered that I suffered from an extremely rare phenomenon known as Giant Tumefactive Perivascular Spaces. One of forty people in the world with a documented case, mine presented as hundreds of cysts on the left side of my brain. I have had them since birth, but they remained dormant until after the birth of my first child.
The initial symptoms of my condition were headaches, double vision, and balance problems. Over the last five years, my symptoms have become more severe.
The right side of my body, (controlled by the left brain) has grown extremely weak. My right instep now turns a little inward. I have a hard time gripping and writing on my right side. I have also switched from being right handed, to completely left handed.
At my most recent appointment with my Neurologist, he told me that the fluid sacs in my brain had grown too large. I was facing either brain surgery or eventual paralysis. So... my brain surgery is scheduled for early October. With insurance, it may cost up to 14K. That, of course, does not include any assistance during the estimated six to twelve week recovery period. I would like for my husband to be able to be with me for some of this time. I have overcome what the world has thrown me so far, so I am asking for assistance to cross this mountain.
If you can, please help. If you cannot, please hope.
A little over five years ago I went to the doctor to figure out why I was experiencing double vision. It was then discovered that I suffered from an extremely rare phenomenon known as Giant Tumefactive Perivascular Spaces. One of forty people in the world with a documented case, mine presented as hundreds of cysts on the left side of my brain. I have had them since birth, but they remained dormant until after the birth of my first child.
The initial symptoms of my condition were headaches, double vision, and balance problems. Over the last five years, my symptoms have become more severe.
The right side of my body, (controlled by the left brain) has grown extremely weak. My right instep now turns a little inward. I have a hard time gripping and writing on my right side. I have also switched from being right handed, to completely left handed.
At my most recent appointment with my Neurologist, he told me that the fluid sacs in my brain had grown too large. I was facing either brain surgery or eventual paralysis. So... my brain surgery is scheduled for early October. With insurance, it may cost up to 14K. That, of course, does not include any assistance during the estimated six to twelve week recovery period. I would like for my husband to be able to be with me for some of this time. I have overcome what the world has thrown me so far, so I am asking for assistance to cross this mountain.
If you can, please help. If you cannot, please hope.
Organizer
Drew Dettweiler
Organizer
Schuyler, VA