Help Brainstem Angioma survivor heal & deal w/pain
Donation protected
Michele endured an extremely complicated and life-saving surgery in 2010 to remove a rare form of a bleeding, deep-rooted cavernous malformation angioma located in her brainstem. When the angioma was first discovered in 2002, she was told it was inoperable. Had the bleeding occurred back then—before the medical advances made it operable with a better survival rate—Michele (and her children) wouldn’t be here today. Despite the ticking time-bomb inside her, Michele knew in her heart that she was destined to be a mom. After a very risky and somewhat troublesome pregnancy, Michele gave birth to premature twins (a son and daughter) in 2004.
The twins were six years old when Michele traveled to Stanford in California for the 12+ hour brain surgery. Michele survived the surgery, but not without complications, some of which would be permanent. She struggled to walk steadily, talk without slurring, think/respond or write before tedious and extensive rehabilitation. She continues to suffer from rare and extreme forms of Chronic Pain Syndrome, Central Pain Syndrome (CPS)/Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Trigeminal Neuralgia (a facial nerve pain condition) complications and frequent, severe migraines that have resurfaced as a result of a recent, newly diagnosed angioma in her brain. This new angioma is not in her brainstem area and is not considered life threatening, but any surgery to remove it would be too risky. Michele has tried every medication known, alternative therapies, alternative medicines and has been told over and over again by health professionals and neurologists that nothing can be done for her pain. She has had some limited success with CBD oil, making the pain a little more tolerable, but it doesn’t eliminate the pain.
In 2012, Michele and the twins’ father divorced. As a single mom and still very much in brain surgery recover mode, Michele forged ahead with what she likes to call “mom duties” (a true labor of love for her). Michele tirelessly (while exhausted from chronic pain—an oxymoron for sure) dedicates herself to her children and maintaining a clean and healthy household, even if it means that her pain levels will be off-the-charts. Michele’s home has also become one of the favorite hang-outs of the twins’ friends. Michele welcomes them with open arms, doesn’t let them go hungry (even if she can’t afford it) and makes sure they’re all safe (and supervised).
Michele is college-educated and was working part time for quite a while after the surgery when her pain levels were a little more manageable. She worked as a substitute teacher, assistant director at the library, and a couple other odd jobs—but had to give up even working part time recently. We are asking for help, because Michele needs a break from the stress and burden of medical and other bills that have stacked up--she also needs help to pay for much needed house maintenance that she simply cannot afford. Stress is her worse enemy and we truly believe if we can find a way to alleviate some of her financial stress, that could help reduce her pain levels or at least set her mind at ease a little, so she can focus on healing and dealing with the pain. Michele has worked very hard to find ways to make it on her own without any help; she pays her bills on time, but can only afford the minimum monthly payments—which causes the finance and interest charges to continue to grow. We (her sisters) audited all of her expenses and helped her to set up a monthly budget. However, even without any extras such as clothing, dental work, car repairs, school supplies for the twins or even an occasional movie, she’s struggling to make ends meet and in the negative. Eliminating Michele’s debt will rebalance her budget and she’ll no longer be in the red with the constant worries, stress and depression associated with the situation.
Michele selflessly gives 100% of every little bit of what she has left after the pain has taken the rest. She loves, gives, smiles and always tries to look on the bright side, even when it hurts just to blink… just to think.
GOAL: $8,000 – 50% of any funds raised above the goal will be donated to the Angioma Alliance
The twins were six years old when Michele traveled to Stanford in California for the 12+ hour brain surgery. Michele survived the surgery, but not without complications, some of which would be permanent. She struggled to walk steadily, talk without slurring, think/respond or write before tedious and extensive rehabilitation. She continues to suffer from rare and extreme forms of Chronic Pain Syndrome, Central Pain Syndrome (CPS)/Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), Trigeminal Neuralgia (a facial nerve pain condition) complications and frequent, severe migraines that have resurfaced as a result of a recent, newly diagnosed angioma in her brain. This new angioma is not in her brainstem area and is not considered life threatening, but any surgery to remove it would be too risky. Michele has tried every medication known, alternative therapies, alternative medicines and has been told over and over again by health professionals and neurologists that nothing can be done for her pain. She has had some limited success with CBD oil, making the pain a little more tolerable, but it doesn’t eliminate the pain.
In 2012, Michele and the twins’ father divorced. As a single mom and still very much in brain surgery recover mode, Michele forged ahead with what she likes to call “mom duties” (a true labor of love for her). Michele tirelessly (while exhausted from chronic pain—an oxymoron for sure) dedicates herself to her children and maintaining a clean and healthy household, even if it means that her pain levels will be off-the-charts. Michele’s home has also become one of the favorite hang-outs of the twins’ friends. Michele welcomes them with open arms, doesn’t let them go hungry (even if she can’t afford it) and makes sure they’re all safe (and supervised).
Michele is college-educated and was working part time for quite a while after the surgery when her pain levels were a little more manageable. She worked as a substitute teacher, assistant director at the library, and a couple other odd jobs—but had to give up even working part time recently. We are asking for help, because Michele needs a break from the stress and burden of medical and other bills that have stacked up--she also needs help to pay for much needed house maintenance that she simply cannot afford. Stress is her worse enemy and we truly believe if we can find a way to alleviate some of her financial stress, that could help reduce her pain levels or at least set her mind at ease a little, so she can focus on healing and dealing with the pain. Michele has worked very hard to find ways to make it on her own without any help; she pays her bills on time, but can only afford the minimum monthly payments—which causes the finance and interest charges to continue to grow. We (her sisters) audited all of her expenses and helped her to set up a monthly budget. However, even without any extras such as clothing, dental work, car repairs, school supplies for the twins or even an occasional movie, she’s struggling to make ends meet and in the negative. Eliminating Michele’s debt will rebalance her budget and she’ll no longer be in the red with the constant worries, stress and depression associated with the situation.
Michele selflessly gives 100% of every little bit of what she has left after the pain has taken the rest. She loves, gives, smiles and always tries to look on the bright side, even when it hurts just to blink… just to think.
GOAL: $8,000 – 50% of any funds raised above the goal will be donated to the Angioma Alliance
Co-organizers (4)
Barbara Cooper Steele
Organizer
Hershey, PA
Michele Waite
Beneficiary
Jane Reel
Co-organizer
Sue Hendricks
Co-organizer
Matt Masek
Co-organizer