Help for Harper's Medical and Travel Expenses
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The Brandt family needs our help. They are on a medical journey with Harper, and though Harper's care is their primary concern, that care has proven to be expensive. Since July, Harper has seen doctors in Grand Forks, Rochester, and Sioux Falls. She is scheduled for surgery in Sioux Falls on December 18th. Most importantly, please keep Harper and her family in your prayers, but if you can also help monetarily, please consider making a donation. If you choose to not donate through GoFundMe, an account will be set up at Union State Bank to help the Brandt family. If you can't help with a monetary donation, please consider these specific prayer requests:
For safe travels to and from Sioux Falls for surgery and follow up appointments.
For all of us to remain healthy so that we can provide Harper with the best care possible.
To guide the hands of the surgical team so that the operation is safe and successful.
That there are zero post-op complications.
That Lawson and Bentley remain in good spirits while we are away.
That we can keep Harper's pain under control while she recovers.
See below to read Melissa's description of the diagnosis and surgery plan.
At Harper’s well child check in July, we mentioned that she gets occasional headaches that are painful enough to make her cry. They are resolved by Tylenol, lying in a dark room with a cold washcloth, and sleep. Her doctor ordered an MRI of her brain to rule out anything major. Neurology discovered she has Chiari malformation and ordered a full spine MRI with contrast, which revealed a large syrinx in her spinal cord. The Chiari itself is something she was likely born with. It occurs when part of the skull is abnormally small or misshapen, pressing on the brain and forcing it downward into the spinal canal. This has created a cork, preventing spinal fluid from getting to her brain, and has caused syrinxes (cysts) to build up in her spinal column. This can lead to permanent neurological damage and is the main reason she needs surgery. You can have Chiari and not have syringomyelia (syrinxes), but unfortunately, that is not the case with Harper.
After her diagnoses, we met with three different neurosurgeons. They all agreed surgery was necessary, so it was a matter of deciding who we were most comfortable with. We feel very fortunate to have found Dr. Trumble in Sioux Falls, SD as he is very knowledgeable about this rare condition. The surgery is called Chiari decompression with duraplasty and it involves removing bone at the back of the skull to widen the foramen magnum and create space for the brain. The dura that covers the herniated portion of her brain will be opened and a patch will be sewn to expand the space, similar to letting out the waistband on a pair of pants. The neurosurgeon is waiting until he operates to decide if her C1 vertebrae needs to be removed as well. The goal of surgery is to control the progression of symptoms, relieve compression, and restore normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Harper will be in the ICU over the weekend and moved to a regular room until she is discharged. Brody and I will be staying at a hotel connected to the hospital and will take turns staying with her. Recovery can be anywhere from 3-5 weeks. 
Organizer and beneficiary
Marianne Schmitt
Organizer
Hazen, ND
Melissa & Brody Brandt
Beneficiary