This is a difficult request, but Sadie is facing many major surgeries and we need financial help. The two most urgent and important surgeries will be in White Plains, New York, and we are asking for help to get us there.

Sadie has been seeing a Neurovascular specialist at the U of M and after a ton of imaging, she has been diagnosed with severe compression of both internal jugular veins. THIS IS HUGE! Sadie has had a non-stop headache for SEVENTEEN years. It has been debilitating for her. Some of her symptoms include abnormally high eye pressures, hearing a rushing sound in her ears when she sits/stands up, swallowing problems, and arm pain and numbness. Her blood flows to her brain but leaves at a very slow and inconsistent rate. This diagnosis has only been around since around 2017 and there are only a few specialized surgeons. The surgeon Sadie’s doctor wants her to see is in White Plains, New York.

The surgery entails removing the styloid process at the bottom of her skull, shaving down C1 (first vertebra), and resecting the Omohyoid muscle. The hope is that this will create space for her blood to flow. We were told the average stay is seven to ten days, but our experience has been that she ends up staying longer due to difficult pain management and slower healing caused by her connective tissue disorder. Sadie has her prior authorization from insurance and is waiting to hear from scheduling. At this time, we don’t know when it will be scheduled, but her U of M doctor submitted a letter of medical necessity to help with urgency. The risks of not having the surgery are scary – loss of eyesight, stroke, venous thrombosis, brain herniation, or venous ischemia.

• Styloidectomy: Removal of the styloid process.

• C1 Transverse Process Resection: Resection of the C1 (atlas) vertebra

• Omohyoid muscle resection

The other surgeries include two more hip surgeries (hopefully in Minnesota). One is arthroscopy to repair the damage being caused by her hip dysplasia and the other is P.A.O. to fix her hip dysplasia. She also needs two surgeries at Mayo in Rochester for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). Her first ribs on either side are compressing the nerves and subclavian vein causing numbness, excruciating pain, and loss of blood flow to both arms. This is fixed by breaking and removing both first ribs and removing the scalene muscle. This will involve two separate surgeries (one on each side) with them being month apart.

The biggest financial problem for us is that I was laid off in August and have not found another job. I worked for a federally funded grant in higher education, but with all the cuts to grants, the funding was lost. There have been so many mass layoffs, so there is a lot of competition for very few jobs. My unemployment insurance has ended and my savings and retirement are almost exhausted.

I need to get Sadie to New York for this life changing surgery. She will have it on one side and a few months later we will need to go back and do the other side. Ugh!! I feel like I am not supposed to have a job right now, but the financial stress tells me something else. I received so much incredible help when my husband was dying from Pancreatic Cancer in 2004. I feel guilty asking for more help, but I need to take care of my kid. I am hoping our village will be able to help us once again.

She will be in the hospital for approximately three days, but we need to stay for seven-ten days for her follow-up appointment. Our estimated costs are:

• Amtrak Train - 2 one-way tickets $385 each

• Hotel $3,000 (includes taxes and fees)

• Food $75/day

Fundraising goal: $20,000 (to help with all the various surgeries)

One of the hardest decisions I made was leaving Fergus Falls and moving to St. Cloud. I left friends and I really miss seeing my brother Garth often, but at least I am closer to my other brother, Tom. The job in St. Cloud was amazing and we were supposed to have another seven years of funding, so this has been a devastating shock. Around two and a half years ago, I bought a house with Sadie and her fiancé, Paul. We share the mortgage and bills equally. It has been a great decision, and I am glad I am here to help her with her medical needs. Since moving in together, Sadie has had a hysterectomy, right-hip arthroscopy, right-hip P.A.O, and herniated muscle repair in her hand. The upcoming surgeries are going to be life-changing for her, but the journey is going to be expensive. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Sadie’s mom, Heidi