Help Kayla and Family Through Tough Times

Hi guys I’m Kayla and I need your help. In the beginning of 2024 I finally went to the doctor for my weird headaches I was having for years and it turns out I have Chiari malformation. In simpler words, my brain was falling out of my skull blocking the flow of my Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) causing a lot of issues. I’m talking daily pain. Imagine coughing and it feels like your head is going to explode from the inside out. Or laughing too loud and then getting the most excruciating headache in the back of your head that puts you on the floor. Living with this daily pain has completely changed my life. I can’t do what I used to do and that’s been the hardest. I can’t yell, I can’t laugh very loud, I can’t cough, I can’t sneeze, I can’t even turn my head quickly.

I had a decompression surgery June 12th to try and fix the problem. It put me out of work for 6 weeks. That’s a very long time not to work when you live paycheck to paycheck. When I did finally go back to work, I realized how much harder everything was. It’s a very physical job so I’m only working part time hours and it’s still very hard on me. We’re barely getting by with the hours I’m pulling. It’s getting harder and harder to go to work. I’m still not caught up financially from that 6 weeks off. The daily pain has only gotten worse for me with time. I had a couple MRI’s in the beginning of November and I got some bad news from my neurosurgeon. My brain is still blocking the CSF flow and some of it is going into my spinal cord causing a syrinx which is like a cyst filled with CSF in my spinal cord. It’s getting bigger and it’s pressing my nerve endings. My hands tingle constantly. My arms and legs feel weird like they are asleep and my balance is getting worse. I believe it is worse than before I had the surgery. Is my doctor is telling me I have to have a second brain surgery December 12th. This time my neurosurgeon wants to remove a portion of my cerebral tonsils.

I have a family to worry about. My amazing Pappy, my beautiful daughter Hadleigh, my supportive partner and his adorable son.

Bills that need paid. Lot rent, Electric, phones, insurances, internet, and most importantly FOOD! I have a couple mouths to feed.

Christmas is right around the corner so that just adds to the stress factor. The timing with this is just awful. I hate asking anyone for anything and that’s a known fact so this is a huge step for me! I used to take pride in taking care of everything on my own. I went from having two jobs to barely working one. I know things are tight for everybody right now, but if you’re able to help in anyway I’m grateful. Even if it’s just sharing this. Thanks for reading