Connie’s Brain Surgery

Hello Friends and Family!!

I am sharing  this story with my sister’s permission. 

Connie Kullmann-Leonhardt  has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.  This particular tumor is called an Acoustic Neuroma. This is a non-cancerous tumor. However, Connie’s tumor is growing and affecting her in ways that have made it very difficult for her to  function.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/acoustic-neuroma/symptoms-causes/syc-20356127 

Connie has been dealing with debilitating symptoms for more than a year. It started with intractable headaches (which are a daily occurrence), then she began to experience numbness on her face and parts of her head. She’s had extreme dizziness and nausea and worry and fear as she has sought medical advice or a diagnosis. 

This is a very rare tumor, so I only appreciate and commend my medical colleagues for helping my sister find the answer! 

Connie is scheduled to have brain surgery (craniotomy) on October 31st at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA. Oh, and believe  me, Connie is working the Halloween angle on this! She has the most positive attitude and sense of humor one would only expect from a firecracker like her!! ❤️

Without this surgery, Connie will most likely lose her hearing and balance. There are risks associated with this as we all would assume! However, Connie and the rest of her family have the utmost confidence and trust in the surgical team! 

There will be a Neurosurgeon and an ENT surgeon who specialize in the collaborative approach required from both specialties. (PS: the Neurosurgeon attended the U of M and did his neurosurgical residency there! I worked there as well, and we know many people, in common!). #goodvibes

Several of us will be traveling to be with Connie and her family.  We will surround her with love and support, as well as prayers and expected worry. 

Connie’s recovery will be slow and lengthy. She will be in the ICU for a bit and hospitalized for at least 4-5 days after on the med/surg/Neuro unit. She will literally have to learn how to walk again, not to mention the painful recovery she will endure. 

Connie is staying strong and building her strength almost daily at the gym. She powers through the pain and dizziness so she will  be able to fight through this long and difficult journey.

Connie is an awesome and loving Mom, cheering her daughters on in motocross, their schooling or always being there to help family and friends. She is a wonderful wife and daughter. Oh, and yeah, she seriously rocks as a sister!!

This will be a challenging time for her family and there will be a lot of financial hardship. Her insurance has high deductibles and co-pays. ( let’s face it, insurance coverage today seriously stinks!!) 

Connie and her family are humble, but they need help if folks can provide it. 

Please consider helping, if you can.

Most of all, please keep Connie in your prayers. 

May God give her the peace she needs to get through this. We pray for our Lord’s divine guidance through these incredible surgeons and medical professionals. 

We are thankful. ❤️