Help Meredith Through Brain Surgery and Recovery

I am having brain surgery on August 5, 2024.

This GoFundMe will support me and my family during my recovery, as my wages alone cannot support us all and as an independent contractor, my husband will not make any money while he takes time off to take care of me during my recovery. It will also assist in covering costs not covered by insurance for services and items needed during my recovery.

Background: In August 2022, after confirming rapid hearing loss in my left ear, I had an MRI to rule out an acoustic neuroma.

The MRI ended up confirming that I indeed had an acoustic neuroma. It also showed that I had a meningioma, also on the left side. So close that they looked connected in the images but they are not.

Lucky me, I have two brain tumors!

The meningioma is stable, and hasn’t grown in size since it was found. Unfortunately, the neuroma has grown and I’ve lost almost all my hearing on the left ear. Ultimately, treatment is necessary. So, I opted for radiation on the acoustic neuroma in November of 2023. Unfortunately, radiation (cyberknife) on the acoustic neuroma didn’t have the results I was hoping for. So now I’ll be having surgery to remove both.

Since August of 2023 I’ve been suffering from constant vertigo and imbalance issues. Some of that is related to the acoustic neuroma the other part is caused by silent migraines. After many months, we finally have the worst of the vertigo from the silent migraines under control and I’m learning to counteract the imbalance with physical therapy.

Understandably, I have my downer moments… I mean no one wants brain surgery, the risks while small are pretty big deals if any of them happen! But…. I really am trying to keep a positive outlook: I’m still relatively young, this isn’t cancer, it’s treatable, I’m sober and nicotine free, and my family is a great source of support, love and understanding.

After surgery I will be in ICU for a few days and I won’t come home until they can get me up and walking. I will most likely need a walker and physical therapy at first. Once I am home, I won’t be allowed to be alone for at least a couple of weeks. I won’t be allowed to clean house or cook or any of the normal things I do.

Anything helps. Thank you for your support as I battle the invaders: tweedle dee and tweedle dum. Recovery from surgery won’t be easy, but I am hopeful that it will be a success!