April 2025 Update:
Alyson’s family would like to share an update on her health. She completed her radiation treatments at Mayo. On a recent follow up visit, doctors advised that the tumor is currently dormant which is good news. However, it has not fully retracted from her brain stem so they will not be able to operate / remove the remaining foreign tissue. The hope is that the tumor will remain dormant. Alyson will have check-ins at Mayo every 3 months. If, at any time, they find the tumor is growing, she will need to begin radiation treatments again.
The loss of feeling in the right side of her face remains unchanged. This causes a particular challenge for her eye. It has been an ongoing struggle to keep the eyeball hydrated and injury free. Alyson has lost sight in her right eye which continues to throw off her balance and inhibit mobility.
She is both humbled and grateful for the outpouring of kindness over the past months. Alyson has already endured so much but the journey isn’t over. Please pray that the medical team will be able to save her eye. She is working with a specialist, and they have her on a rare prescription that seems to be helping.
Alyson is so happy to be back home and with her kids. Carmella and Vinny are thrilled momma is home too. Alyson is trying to transition back to work, starting with short shifts. She will continue to see the specialist and be acutely intentional about caring for her eye. The hope is they can get it to heal, and she will be able to keep it.
Thank you for your continued support.
Original Post:
This is Robin Pettis, Alyson's aunt. Earlier this year, we were shocked to find out that Alyson's complaint of ear pain and hearing issues were the result of an aggressive brain tumor. No one expects this kind of diagnosis for a young mother of two children.
Over the past few months, we have watched Alyson endure countless medical appointments and trips to the Mayo Clinic. She survived two separate brain surgeries, each resulting in a recovery in the ICU. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the tumor and the fact that it is wrapped around both her brain stem and optic nerve, neither surgery was able to effectively remove all of the problem tissue.
As a result of these invasive surgeries, Alyson has lost the function of her right eye/ear. She has paralysis on the right half of her face as well as mobility challenges on the right side of her body.
Still, her fight is not over. She is about to begin another 7-week stay in Rochester to accommodate radiation treatments that will take place 5 days per week at the Mayo Clinic.
Not surprisingly, the costs continue to mount at an alarming rate. Alyson has not been able to work for 4 months. She has two young children to diaper, feed and clothe. As grateful as we are for access to an amazing facility like the Mayo Clinic, the travel and Rochester stays are expensive. Her medical costs are considerable.
This Go Fund Me page is being set up to help alleviate financial stress so that Alyson can focus on recovery and her two kiddos, Carmella and Vinny. I respectfully ask you to consider helping Alyson and her littles. The cost of her care is astronomical and continues to mount each day. Please keep Alyson in your thoughts and pray for her to win this battle.
Thank you.