Help Melanie Strike Back
Donation protected
Melanie has been fighting a progressive disease called Trigeminal Neuralgia for three and a half years. If you are unfamiliar, Trigeminal Neuralgia is a disease which causes extreme, electric pain in the face and mouth and is triggered by anything which touches the face: applying makeup, a gust of wind, eating, talking, brushing teeth, or kissing her kids. It is thought to be the most painful disease known to mankind. To hear more of Melanie’s personal experience in her own words click here: https://youtu.be/7mBmSYh0BbM
For the last year, Melanie’s pain has become increasingly worse and more resistant to medication leaving mounds of medical expenses and the final option: surgery on the brain. After recently visiting California to see the most highly sought out neurosurgeon in the United States regarding Trigeminal Neuralgia, Dr. Mark Linskey confirmed her diagnosis and recommended Microvascular Decompression. Since Trigeminal Neuralgia is typically, and in Melanie’s case, instigated by a vein or artery rubbing against the Trigeminal nerve in the brain, Dr. Linskey will enter behind the ear and place Teflon mesh as a barrier between the veins and nerve to, hopefully, allow the nerve to heal, leaving Melanie with a pain-free life.
The trip to California for surgery is going to require a stay of at least 24 days. Melanie is scheduled for surgery next January in the hope of having time to raise the appropriate funds and acquire health insurance. The expense of Alisa, Melanie’s wife, taking a month off of work and living in a hotel or AirBnb for nearly a month along with recently losing one third of their monthly income due to a change with Alisa’s workplace, require them to humbly reach out to friends and family who may be able to help with expenses in California and put an end to Melanie’s torturous pain, allowing her to play with, talk to, and kiss her children without fear and pain.
For the last year, Melanie’s pain has become increasingly worse and more resistant to medication leaving mounds of medical expenses and the final option: surgery on the brain. After recently visiting California to see the most highly sought out neurosurgeon in the United States regarding Trigeminal Neuralgia, Dr. Mark Linskey confirmed her diagnosis and recommended Microvascular Decompression. Since Trigeminal Neuralgia is typically, and in Melanie’s case, instigated by a vein or artery rubbing against the Trigeminal nerve in the brain, Dr. Linskey will enter behind the ear and place Teflon mesh as a barrier between the veins and nerve to, hopefully, allow the nerve to heal, leaving Melanie with a pain-free life.
The trip to California for surgery is going to require a stay of at least 24 days. Melanie is scheduled for surgery next January in the hope of having time to raise the appropriate funds and acquire health insurance. The expense of Alisa, Melanie’s wife, taking a month off of work and living in a hotel or AirBnb for nearly a month along with recently losing one third of their monthly income due to a change with Alisa’s workplace, require them to humbly reach out to friends and family who may be able to help with expenses in California and put an end to Melanie’s torturous pain, allowing her to play with, talk to, and kiss her children without fear and pain.
Organizer
Melanie Vineyard
Organizer
Idaho Falls, ID