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Funds for Finley & family

Finley is the 20 - month old daughter of Gary Fuller and Jolene Flesher, born November 7, 2017 with her twin sister Rowan.  On Sunday July 7th Gary and Jolene were on there way to their nephew’s birthday party with their four girls, when Finley was walking down the steps with Jolene and lost her balance and fell down three steps and hit her head on the concrete.  They immediately took her to Geisinger CMC and they were seen within 45 minutes of the fall.  After an examination, the doctor decided she did not need a CT scan, since she never lost consciousness, did not vomit and was literally running around the room with two of her sisters.  Gary and Jolene decided to continue on to the birthday party, kept a close eye on Finley and she was fine.   

On Tuesday July 23rd, 2019 Finley was working with her physical therapist when Jolene came home from the grocery store.  Gary and the physical therapist both mentioned that Finley was clumsier than usual and drifting to the left quite a bit.  Jolene and Gary made the decision to take her to her pediatrician.  Gary left the house with her and within and hour she had vomited multiple times and her balance was getting worse.  The pediatrician said it was probably just a summer virus and suggested Pedialyte or Gatorade.  Gary bought her home and within an hour her symptoms got worse to where Finley could not stand and was constantly vomiting every time she moved.  Gary and Jolene both rushed Finley to Geisinger CMC where they performed hip and leg x-rays and a CT Scan on Finley’s head.  

It was the worse news they could hear.   Finley had a bleed in her brain.  The ER doctor also stated that their was a mass on Finley’s brain where the bleed was.  There was speculation that it was a tumor but nothing was certain.  They then transferred Finley and Gary by helicopter to Geisinger in Danville.  Finley was then given an MRI with and without contrast and an MRA.  From these images, the doctors diagnosed Finley with having a Cerebral Cavernous Malformation in her cerebellum.  This is a vascular lesion of abnormally dilated blood vessels.  The low pressure blood vessels in her brain are growing together and creating a raspberry like mass.  Gary and Jolene both knowing the condition due to Gary having the same condition, immediately started doing research for pediatric specialists since Gary and Jolene were always told that the condition happens in late 20’s and later in life not in a 20 month old.  After extensive research Gary found “the guy”  Dr. Edward Smith from Boston Children’s Hospital.  Dr. Smith confirmed that it is a cavernous malformation and also confirmed that while he is never one to rush to surgery that this particular one because of size, location and Finley’s age that it needs to be removed.  


That brings us to the present.  Finley is scheduled for brain surgery to have the malformation removed from her cerebellum on August 28th.   The reason for the wait is to let her brain heal from the recent bleed and allow any swelling to subside.  It will make the extraction of the malformation easier and less evasive.  The cerebellum, where the malformation is located, is the part of the brain that controls gross motor skills and balance.  In the mean time Finley is still battling with dizziness, vomiting, and needing constant support to walk around.  Finley is stubborn and a fighter and is continually trying to walk around and play with her sisters, so Gary and Jolene are in the process of getting there hands on PT mats, foam floor blocks and other soft surfaces to give Finley as much of a play area as they can provide to prevent her from injuring herself more before the surgery.  Gary and Jolene are working with a PT and a home health agency to see what they can do to make Finley’s pre-op and post-op situation easier.  Finley will continue to have these symptoms until after her brain heals from the surgery. 

The entire family will be leaving for Boston on the 24th to start Finley’s pre-op testing.  Gary and Jolene have decided that all the sisters are going because they will aid in Finley’s recovery.  


While most of the medical should be covered by health insurance, there is a large part that is not covered and there is a substantial amount needed for lodging for the family in Boston, meals, transportation, parking, tolls and other incidentals while traveling.  Our hopes are to raise enough money that the family does not need to worry about this financial burden and can focus solely on Finley’s surgery, her recovery and their family.  
Any contribution made to help defray the cost for the family will be greatly appreciated!  Gary and Jolene are extremely grateful for the outpouring support from family, friends and the community!
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Donations 

  • Ann Beynon
    • $20 
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Jackie Keating
Organizer
Old Forge, PA
Gary Fuller
Beneficiary

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