In late January, our dear Matthew Sanborn developed Bell's palsy after a six-day headache. He is glad to report that the facial paralysis symptoms of Bell's are largely gone but there is still a bit of a weakness in the muscles on the right side of his face, especially his eye.
Bell's Palsy would have been enough!
However, Matthew has had a persistent headache for several weeks. After a CT scan found a small "something" in his skull/head, near his right ear, a subsequent MRI results show a meningioma (meh - nin - G - O - mah) which is a growth or tumor of sorts on the meninges - a membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. For the most part meningiomas are benign but can grow over time to cause pressure on the brain and can be treated with radiation or removed surgically. They can also become malignant, but that is rarer.
Matthew will need to have brain surgery to remove the meningioma.
He is aiming for a date as soon as possible. Matthew is meeting a UW-Madison neurosurgeon for further care and planning. Most recently a couple other mysterious, smaller health issues have emerged and he is waiting to find out if they are connected or not.
Matthew could use a hand, in particular some ease with money. He is one of too many Americans unable to qualify for unemployment benefits, and has been able to make do with side hustles. He is living by the hairs on his chinny-chin-chin.
While he is healing from brain surgery he will need to focus solely on his health, resting, and healing. Raising some funds will allow him a few months of respite from money-worry and literally buy him time to rest with less stress. If you are in Madison, setting up a meal-train for a few days of meals post surgery will be another welcome help - I asked Matthew and he made happy noises of approval.
I am thankful that Matthew is graciously accepting this help - this is a real, caring, and tangible way to give him a hand. Funds will go to Matthew and be used for mortgage and bills - and maybe some yummy, strong cheese.
Thank you in advance.
-Tamara (college friend from UW-River Falls days!)
Bell's Palsy would have been enough!
However, Matthew has had a persistent headache for several weeks. After a CT scan found a small "something" in his skull/head, near his right ear, a subsequent MRI results show a meningioma (meh - nin - G - O - mah) which is a growth or tumor of sorts on the meninges - a membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. For the most part meningiomas are benign but can grow over time to cause pressure on the brain and can be treated with radiation or removed surgically. They can also become malignant, but that is rarer.
Matthew will need to have brain surgery to remove the meningioma.
He is aiming for a date as soon as possible. Matthew is meeting a UW-Madison neurosurgeon for further care and planning. Most recently a couple other mysterious, smaller health issues have emerged and he is waiting to find out if they are connected or not.
Matthew could use a hand, in particular some ease with money. He is one of too many Americans unable to qualify for unemployment benefits, and has been able to make do with side hustles. He is living by the hairs on his chinny-chin-chin.
While he is healing from brain surgery he will need to focus solely on his health, resting, and healing. Raising some funds will allow him a few months of respite from money-worry and literally buy him time to rest with less stress. If you are in Madison, setting up a meal-train for a few days of meals post surgery will be another welcome help - I asked Matthew and he made happy noises of approval.
I am thankful that Matthew is graciously accepting this help - this is a real, caring, and tangible way to give him a hand. Funds will go to Matthew and be used for mortgage and bills - and maybe some yummy, strong cheese.
Thank you in advance.
-Tamara (college friend from UW-River Falls days!)