Dearest family & friends,

We are writing this on behalf of our dear friend Tiyana and her family, because someone who has spent her life showing up for others is now facing a devastating medical crisis and she needs the same love and support she has always given so selflessly.

If you know Tiyana, you know her heart. She is the person to call when someone is hurting. She sits with people in their darkest moments, encourages them when they feel lost, and somehow finds the exact words to remind them of their worth and strength. She has always been a safe place for others. She always shows deep compassion and empathy, often putting others’ needs before her own because that's just who she is, but right now, she is the one who needs help.

Following a surgery on December 22, Tiyana experienced a rare and severe medical complication that triggered a cascade of systemic health issues. This complication ultimately led to diagnoses of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and hyperadrenergic Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and she is currently undergoing evaluation for additional autoimmune disease.

Together, these conditions create what doctors often describe as a “systemic storm” in the body, affecting multiple organ systems at once.

Abnormal Lab Findings and Medical Evaluations:

ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test: Positive, homogeneous pattern, titer 1:320

Histamine Levels: Elevated, consistent with MCAS

CRP: Very high levels

MRI Brain: Small 8mm lesion detected; no evidence of acute inflammation

Additional Tests Pending: Cervical spine MRI, autoimmune panel follow-up, MS evaluation

Neurological and Systemic Symptoms:

Sensory Changes: Tingling, numbness, and hypersensitivity to touch, sound, and pain, often triggered by stress or position changes

Motor Impairment: Tremors in hands and legs, muscle weakness, inability to write during severe flares

Sensory-Motor Lability: Rapid fluctuations in strength and coordination, sometimes daily

Emotional Lability: Heightened anxiety, frustration, and emotional swings secondary to neurological and systemic dysfunction

Cardiovascular Dysregulation: Severe blood pressure swings, tachycardia, and episodes of dizziness or near-fainting

Pain Sensitization: Increased pain due to hypersensitivity, including new onset of excruciating low back pain, suggesting possible spinal involvement

Musculoskeletal System: Sudden new onset of joint swelling, redness, and pain since surgery, affecting hands, wrists, and feet

Other Neurological Manifestations: Lightning-like sensations in the neck and extremities, headaches, vision changes, involuntary leg movements, difficulty maintaining balance

CNS Involvement: Symptoms suggest central nervous system involvement likely due to systemic inflammatory and immune-mediated processes, amplifying sensory, motor, and pain dysfunction

Emotional Impact:

Tiyana and her husband are terrified at how quickly her health deteriorated and feel devastated seeing their children witness the changes in their mom so rapidly. Her strength, independence, and the vibrant presence they know and love are all being affected by this relentless illness. It breaks their hearts to endure this pain and uncertainty.

Because of her health decline, Tiyana is unable to work, creating additional stress. Her husband has been her biggest advocate and support over the last two months, managing her constant medical appointments and treatments, taking care of their children, all while working full time and completing his dissertation.

They are actively pursuing answers with multiple specialists and have applied for disability support, though these processes take time.

This has been incredibly stressful emotionally and physically while progression of symptoms continue with no answers to explain her illness.

We are asking for support to help relieve some of the financial burden so she can focus on getting answers and healing.

Donations will go toward:

Medical bills and specialist care

Medications and treatments

Supporting her family during this uncertain time

If you are unable to donate, sharing this page and keeping Tiyana and her family in your thoughts and prayers means more than you know.

We believe deeply in her strength, but no one should have to walk through something like this alone. Tiyana & her family need us. Let's show them we are holding them now.

Please honor Tiyana and her husband's wishes by respecting their decisions in not sharing their children's identities as their safety is their highest priority.

With love and gratitude,

Brittany, Eliza, Kelly & Melisa