I’m starting this GoFundMe in support of my daughter, Micaela, as we prepare for her third cholesteatoma surgery February 26, 2026 at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA.

A cholesteatoma is a rare and serious condition that requires surgeons to enter through the mastoid bone of the skull to remove an aggressive mass from the inner ear. These surgeries are complex, and removal is often only the first step — many patients require additional surgeries for hearing reconstruction, structural repairs, and follow-up biopsies.

So, what is a cholesteatoma?

It isn’t cancer, but it’s far from harmless. A cholesteatoma is a fast-growing mass made up of skin cells that form a firm cyst-like structure. Left untreated, it can be incredibly destructive — eroding bone, damaging balance and hearing, and even becoming life-threatening. This is especially true for patients like Micaela, who already lives with chronic health conditions, including POTS, MCAS, and other autoimmune complications.

Micaela’s journey began in December 2021, when she underwent her first mastoidectomy. Doctors discovered a golf-ball-sized tumor that had destroyed her hearing bones, created holes in her balance chamber, and eaten away parts of her skull, exposing the dura. Had it not been removed, it would have been fatal.

In August 2022, she required a second surgery, once again entering through the skull to rebuild her hearing bones using prosthetics. Thankfully, both surgeries appeared successful, and a clear MRI in 2024 gave us hope that this chapter was behind her.

Unfortunately, in the fall of 2025, Micaela began experiencing balance problems and pain again — severe enough that she had to step away from work. A CT scan in January of this year confirmed our fears: a new cholesteatoma is growing in the same ear, once again damaging her balance chamber and requiring another major surgery. We won’t know the full extent of the damage, or whether she’ll need yet another follow-up surgery, until her surgeon is able to operate.

Micaela is incredibly fortunate to be under the care of Dr. Coralles, an exceptional otolaryngologist/neurosurgeon and Harvard instructor — one of the best in his field in Massachusetts. Still, repeated surgeries, medical setbacks, and long recovery periods take an enormous toll — physically, emotionally, and financially.

Her upcoming recovery is expected to last 8–12 weeks, during which she will be unable to work.

If you’re able to help in any way — whether by donating or sharing — it would mean more than we can express. Your support will help Micaela focus on healing and getting her life back. Our family is deeply grateful for every bit of kindness shown.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

~Crizti