HEARTBROKEN UPDATE

Hello Friends -

It is with inconsolable grief and tears that I share my daughter Anais Frederick lost her fight with Breast Cancer and NMOSD and passed away on October 14, 2023.

Unfortunately, she did not have life insurance and I am now asking for your help to pay for her funeral/memorial costs so that she can rest in peace soon!

Additionally, her beautiful eleven-month-old son, who has been in my sole care since Ana's fight began on January 10, 2023, will require an attorney to represent him, as will I, so I can begin navigating the process to legally adopt my grandson!

This video was recorded eight days before she passed. The hospital agreed to insert a special speaking valve to her ventilator, that allowed us to hear her voice!

Thank you all again for any help you can give.

Doris

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Hello, my name is Doris Dixon, and I am Anais's (Ana) mother. First, I express my utmost appreciation and gratitude to all for taking your precious time to read our story. I am trying to raise money for medical costs for my daughter and financial support to help me continue caring for my grandson.

On November 29, 2022, at 30 years old, Ana welcomed her first child, and as many first-time mothers do, she held him 24/7, constantly gazing in amazement at his adorable face. Unfortunately, their time together was short-lived. Micaiah (Cai) was six weeks old.

On January 10, 2023, Ana was rushed to Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston, TX, unable to speak or walk. Test results determined it was not a seizure or stroke. She regained speech and motor skills after two days but had difficulty breathing. Eight days later, she was in ICU on a ventilator and unconscious. Further tests diagnosed Ana with a rare and very aggressive auto-immune disease. Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) affects the spinal cord and the optic nerves that carry signals from the eyes to the brain. Ana woke from her coma after two months of being comatose and receiving an expensive new drug. Sadly, due to the large lesions that formed on her cervical cord and parts of her brain, she is paralyzed from the neck down, still requires a ventilator, and cannot see in her right eye.

On May 4, 2023, while Ana was still being cared for in the ICU, I received the devasting news that she was diagnosed with triple negative, stage 4 breast cancer. Although very little is known, there are limited studies that suggest there is a link between cancer and NMO. Because of this and the rarity of Ana's case, the approach to treating her has been difficult and not without complications. But she is fighting hard to get home to be with her son, who has been in my sole care since January.

Thank you again for taking the time to read our story!

Doris