Celine's Pineal Cyst/Tumor Brain Surgery
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Hello! My name is Celine and I am a student at university studying to become an anesthesiologist. A recent MRI revealed that I have a 21mm pineal gland cystic tumor in the very center of my brain. It has left me with a list of symptoms since I was 8 years old, which have become debilitating in the past 5 years. Around the holidays, I am due for a left occipital craniotomy for resection of the pineal cyst/tumor. There are only 2 surgeons in the united states who are willing to operate on these tumors due to the difficulty of the surgery. Therefore, I will be having surgery out of state. Insurance will not be able to cover any of the surgery expenses, so my family has to fully pay out of pocket. It is hard for me to ask for donations, but I am left with no other option if it means finally living a life without chronic pain. I only ask for you to share my story and for prayers, but if you are able to donate I would appreciate it a lot.
Merhaba! Benim adım Selin ve Colorado Eyalet Üniversitesi’nde anestezi uzmanı olmak üzere eğitim alıyorum. Yakın tarihli bir MRI, beynimin tam merkezinde 21 mm'lik epifiz bezi kistik tümörümün olduğunu ortaya çıkardı. Tümör , bende 8 yaşımdan beri süregelen ve özellikle son 5 yılda zayıflatıcı etkileri olan semptomlar ortaya çıkarttı. Amerika Birleşik Devletleri'nde, ameliyatın zorluğu nedeniyle bu tümörü tedavi etmek isteyen yanlızca iki cerrah bulunuyor. Dr. Kim’in beynin bu derece derinliklerindeki tümörlerde uzman oluşu beni Amerika’da ameliyat olmaya mecbur bırakıyor. Dr. Kim’in yanlızca Texas’ta ameliyat yapıyor olması nedeniyle sigortam bu ameliyatı karşılamıyor olacak. Bağış istemek benim için zor, ancak sonunda kronik ağrılarım olmadan bir hayat yaşamak anlamına geliyorsa başka seçeneğim kalmadı. Sizden sadece hikayemi paylaşmanızı ve dua etmenizi istiyorum, ancak bağış yapabilirseniz çok sevinirim.
More about my story below.
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My story began when I was just 8 years old, although nobody had a clue what was wrong with me at the time. I spent most of my time as a kid with my head under a blanket because any noise or light would cause a severe headache. My parents became concerned and took me to the doctors to get my first brain MRI. The doctors told my family it was normal, and sent me on my way. How could it be normal? I definitely felt far from normal, and I knew something was wrong. We trusted the doctors and I continued on with life.
Finally in January 2018, an MRI came back showing that I had a 22mm maxillary sinus cyst, and an 11mm pineal cyst/tumor. The treatment for both tumors were invasive surgeries to remove it from my brain and face. I decided to treat the easier of the two, and scheduled for sinus surgery as soon as possible.
June of 2018, my sinus cyst was successfully removed, and it was time to focus on the pineal tumor. I went to a neurologist expecting for relief finally, but I was told that nothing was wrong with me and that the tumor was not causing any symptoms. I went to a few other neurologist for a second opinion, but was told the same thing over and over.
My symptoms include headaches, severe fatigue, memory problems, brain fog, light and sound sensitivity, blurry vision, floaters/flashes in vision, pain/pressure in and behind the eyes, nausea/vomiting, severe pressure in the head and face, dizziness/lightheadedness, cold sweats/chills, fevers, involuntary twitching, ringing in ears, balance problems, insomnia, and body aches. They have even landed me in the ER on a couple of times because of the severity.
Instead of getting any sort of treatment, I was constantly prescribed different medications that were not helping me at all, until I began taking heavy narcotics which are the only way I can get any relief. I decided this was not a way to live life, and decided to do my own research. I discovered that there are many other people like me who have been diagnosed with pineal cystic tumors, who are constantly being denied help despite all the symptoms we are having. Fortunately, there are two neurosurgeons in the U.S. who claim that these tumors are symptomatic, and are willing to perform such a difficult surgery. Those who have received the surgery have seen amazing results, and are free of their symptoms.
In August 2019, I traveled to Texas to meet Dr. Kim. He went over all of my medical history, and was surprised that the doctors have been completely measuring my tumor incorrectly for the past year and a half. Instead of 11mm, my tumor is actually 21mm. He offered me surgery for the end of this year. Since the surgery is out of state, insurance is unable to cover any of the expenses. I am so excited for this surgery knowing that my entire life will be changed, but I need help in making it happen.
Though it is a difficult time for me and my family at the moment, we are still immensely grateful and blessed for everything that God has provided us. Everyday, we draw strength and peace from Him and from each other. If you are able to, along with God's blessing... please help support me financially for this surgery or just share my story.
Merhaba! Benim adım Selin ve Colorado Eyalet Üniversitesi’nde anestezi uzmanı olmak üzere eğitim alıyorum. Yakın tarihli bir MRI, beynimin tam merkezinde 21 mm'lik epifiz bezi kistik tümörümün olduğunu ortaya çıkardı. Tümör , bende 8 yaşımdan beri süregelen ve özellikle son 5 yılda zayıflatıcı etkileri olan semptomlar ortaya çıkarttı. Amerika Birleşik Devletleri'nde, ameliyatın zorluğu nedeniyle bu tümörü tedavi etmek isteyen yanlızca iki cerrah bulunuyor. Dr. Kim’in beynin bu derece derinliklerindeki tümörlerde uzman oluşu beni Amerika’da ameliyat olmaya mecbur bırakıyor. Dr. Kim’in yanlızca Texas’ta ameliyat yapıyor olması nedeniyle sigortam bu ameliyatı karşılamıyor olacak. Bağış istemek benim için zor, ancak sonunda kronik ağrılarım olmadan bir hayat yaşamak anlamına geliyorsa başka seçeneğim kalmadı. Sizden sadece hikayemi paylaşmanızı ve dua etmenizi istiyorum, ancak bağış yapabilirseniz çok sevinirim.
More about my story below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My story began when I was just 8 years old, although nobody had a clue what was wrong with me at the time. I spent most of my time as a kid with my head under a blanket because any noise or light would cause a severe headache. My parents became concerned and took me to the doctors to get my first brain MRI. The doctors told my family it was normal, and sent me on my way. How could it be normal? I definitely felt far from normal, and I knew something was wrong. We trusted the doctors and I continued on with life.
Finally in January 2018, an MRI came back showing that I had a 22mm maxillary sinus cyst, and an 11mm pineal cyst/tumor. The treatment for both tumors were invasive surgeries to remove it from my brain and face. I decided to treat the easier of the two, and scheduled for sinus surgery as soon as possible.
June of 2018, my sinus cyst was successfully removed, and it was time to focus on the pineal tumor. I went to a neurologist expecting for relief finally, but I was told that nothing was wrong with me and that the tumor was not causing any symptoms. I went to a few other neurologist for a second opinion, but was told the same thing over and over.
My symptoms include headaches, severe fatigue, memory problems, brain fog, light and sound sensitivity, blurry vision, floaters/flashes in vision, pain/pressure in and behind the eyes, nausea/vomiting, severe pressure in the head and face, dizziness/lightheadedness, cold sweats/chills, fevers, involuntary twitching, ringing in ears, balance problems, insomnia, and body aches. They have even landed me in the ER on a couple of times because of the severity.
Instead of getting any sort of treatment, I was constantly prescribed different medications that were not helping me at all, until I began taking heavy narcotics which are the only way I can get any relief. I decided this was not a way to live life, and decided to do my own research. I discovered that there are many other people like me who have been diagnosed with pineal cystic tumors, who are constantly being denied help despite all the symptoms we are having. Fortunately, there are two neurosurgeons in the U.S. who claim that these tumors are symptomatic, and are willing to perform such a difficult surgery. Those who have received the surgery have seen amazing results, and are free of their symptoms.
In August 2019, I traveled to Texas to meet Dr. Kim. He went over all of my medical history, and was surprised that the doctors have been completely measuring my tumor incorrectly for the past year and a half. Instead of 11mm, my tumor is actually 21mm. He offered me surgery for the end of this year. Since the surgery is out of state, insurance is unable to cover any of the expenses. I am so excited for this surgery knowing that my entire life will be changed, but I need help in making it happen.
Though it is a difficult time for me and my family at the moment, we are still immensely grateful and blessed for everything that God has provided us. Everyday, we draw strength and peace from Him and from each other. If you are able to, along with God's blessing... please help support me financially for this surgery or just share my story.
Organizer and beneficiary
Celine A
Organizer
Aurora, CO
Celine A
Beneficiary
