About three years ago, my life changed. It started with dizziness, confusion, falling, and relentless headaches. I was diagnosed with a cerebral spinal fluid leak caused by damage inside to my skull . This led to a series of surgeries—sinus, ENT, and neurosurgery—each revealing new complications.

Despite three surgeries so far, the symptoms persist. I still can't pick things up from the floor, walk on uneven ground, turn too quickly or navigate stairs well. There should be a whole section for the headaches. Along with the physical, this trip through our healthcare system has been frustrating and exhausting.

Along the way, I’ve faced mounting medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, and insurance fees that never seem to end. I’ve worked hard to follow my doctors’ advice, losing over 120 pounds (and counting!) to improve my health, but new challenges keep appearing. Severe skin eruptions recently landed me at a burn center, adding even more bills and uncertainty. Now, I’m completing another round of tests, MRIs, and a lumbar puncture at Carle, for three possible treatment options ahead: a shunt, another dura revision, or perhaps a stent in a vein in my head. I’m still paying off my last surgery from December 2023, and the costs from emergency care are overwhelming.

I have an appointment at Mayo Clinic on January 20th, hoping for a fresh perspective and any other options, particularly if they can see the whole picture. The travel to Rochester, overnight stays, and the strain on my trusty Subi are real worries. So is keeping the lights on at home. Sometimes, I considered giving up. For real. I miss that lady in the picture. I want to keep fighting—to walk my dogs, have lunch with a friend or maybe go on vacation. Reclaim the life I miss. If you’re able, any support would mean the world to me as I work toward recovery and hope for answers.