Dear Family & Friends,

As some of you know, our niece, Dana Marie Covert received the diagnosis of an astrocytoma of the brain stem over 2 years ago. Although Proton therapy has been effective in shrinking the inoperable tumor, the side effects have left her with limited mobility on her right side and impaired her vision. Dana’s spirit, much like her father’s, has not given into allowing her diagnosis to completely rule her life. She strives each day looking for services and treatment options to improve her overall daily living & relies on her steadfast Faith to guide her through countless phone calls, doctor’s visits, PT, OT, health coaching & so much more.

Unfortunately, through our research we have come to realize the limited support available for someone like Dana, mid 40’s with a physical disability vs. a developmental disability.

Dana has current needs and goals. She has goals to improve her health and to become more independent.

Her needs & goals include:

• Home Health Care Aide/Assistance with food prep & daily chores

• Transportation to/from appointments

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

• Functional Neurologic Therapies

• Physical Therapy/Occupational Therapy

• Sports Medicine Consults

• Medical Equipment

• Medicare Payments/Copays

• Chronic Care Management Services

• Work again through Rehabilitation programs

• ADA compliant independent housing

Due to Dana’s current physical disability, she is unable to work and finances are restricting her from moving forward towards these goals. In order for Dana to move forward, we are reaching out for your support.

 

If you know Dana, she has great Faith in her Lord and Savior for complete healing.
Her favorite scripture is Ephesians 3:19 “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

 

Here is Dana’s Story:

“(In my best Estelle Getty voice)

Picture it, Northwest Philadelphia, late January 2019. I’m coming off the train after working about 12 hrs. Heading down the steps so I can take my usual route and cut through the Family Dollar parking lot. My mind is focused on what I will be making for dinner. I trip and fall down the last five steps or so, resulting in a bruised ego. I chalk it up to being tired and notoriously clumsy. Gotta keep it moving though. Things to do. And I was hungry and ready to be home. Yes, my job that I had been working for the last 2 years was super stressful and I was looking forward to my transition back into faith- based, non profit work in just a couple weeks. The rest of the night was uneventful. I enjoyed my dinner.

 

I woke up with a horrendous headache one day. It eventually went away with Advil and rest. Then a week later I woke up one Sunday morning and thought I had slept in a funny position. My arms just felt like lead. Taking a shower and driving to church was interesting to say the least. But a few hours later, things seemed to improve. I chalked it up to stress. Then it happened again. I woke up with this inexplicable heaviness in my arms and this fatigue. These things didn’t leave or improve, but in fact worsened. I didn’t feel well and knew something wasn’t right, but I put my mind to getting through. I was a bit scared and confused, but those who know me well know that I’m relentless, I push myself and will just keep going. Except this time, I couldn’t.

 

I went for my first neurology appointment in early April 2019. There were so many MRIs, my introduction to steroids, discussions about the possibility of MS, and then the ultimate recommendation for a craniotomy. It was suspected that there was a brain tumor. Surgery at UPenn June 2019. The diagnosis was confirmed. Astrocytoma of the brainstem, low grade, diffuse, and inoperable. I was in shock. I was 41. I just started a new job that I was excited about. I had flashbacks of my dad and his almost 3 year battle with glioblastoma. He died at 46, in 1995. Like seriously, this couldn’t be my life. I love to travel, there’s so much of the world I still needed to see. I love my church, my friends, my family and most importantly, I love God. I definitely didn’t feel like I had accomplished every aspect of my earthly purpose. My mind and body were flooded with anxiety and fear of what the future would hold. However, despite all of this there was, and has been,(and always will be) Jesus. He is my foundation, my hope, my rock, and He died so I could be whole. He gave me courage and strength to move forward. He continues to do so.

 

Since surgical resection wasn’t an option, the recommendation for Proton radiation was made. The provision and coverage of this treatment was a miracle, so despite my fear, I forged ahead. I completed 30 rounds of treatment. I rang the bell on October 2nd 2019. I was so thankful to be done! So grateful for my tribe who took me to and stayed with me through treatments. I enjoyed the amazing staff and was inspired by the brave, strong people who were receiving treatment along with me. I remember their faces and stories so clearly. We shared prayers, laughs and tears. I was able to bring music in, worship during every treatment session, so in the face of evil and suffering, there was praise, light, and joy.

 

During the first 6 months after treatment ended, I was making progress, and recovery was evident. I was walking, even driving a bit. I was able to stop steroid treatment for several months! I was feeling well and gaining strength.

 

Enter the Co-vid 19 pandemic and the ensuing lock down in March 2020. At first, honestly I was taking it in stride. Zoom and phone calls became so very important. By late April of 2020, I began to experience some concerning symptoms including pins and needles in my arms, lower legs, hands, and feet, as well as across my mid back. My arms were becoming increasingly heavy, and it was getting a bit more difficult to navigate the steps in the front of my apartment as well as the steps leading to the basement. I resumed steroid treatment in the beginning of May. I was hopeful that I would notice improvements. But by the end of May 2020, it became evident that I could not live alone. I made the transition to NJ and moved in with family.

 

 

Throughout the remainder of 2020 different symptoms started to present, including increased difficulties with walking, poor balance, right foot drop, and double vision. I completed 4 Avastin infusion treatments in the summer of 2020 to address swollen and leaking blood vessels. Based on my symptoms, I feared the worst. However, my scans showed that the first two Avastin infusions were very effective and that the overall area of inflammation on my scans had decreased. During this time I also began my PT and OT journey in efforts to regain function. That journey continues today…