Vicki has always been the first to lend a helping hand, and now she needs our support more than ever. She is a dedicated middle school teacher, an award-winning photographer, and a strong mom who moves mountains every day for her two daughters, Brooklynn and Chloe.

She caught COVID and Flu B back to back at the middle school, and after worsening over Christmas, finally went to the ER the day after because she was losing vision when coughing. Haywood ER almost sent her home, and after a consult with neuro, had her drive herself to Mission, where she was promptly admitted for high risk of stroke. After a 9-day hospital stay where she had multiple TIA episodes, she was able to come home the day before the twins’ 12th birthday. She then immediately returned to work because she didn’t want to hand off responsibilities or miss days. After almost a full week of teaching, Friday morning she was taken from her middle school to Mission Hospital for suspected stroke via ambulance.

She had critically low levels of cortisol and was beginning to show signs of shock. Her brain had increased spinal fluid pressure causing the stroke-like symptoms (should be 20, hers was 40). It had only been 13 days since they removed excess spinal fluid the first stay and should not have been that high that quickly. She was told she will not be leaving Mission this time without surgery.

She is facing surgery to manage the intracranial hypertension and will be unable to work for at least a week or two (best case) during her recovery. She will need ample time to heal, creating unexpected financial strain during an already challenging time. She has the support of her administration and clients, and everyone is ready for her to return when she can.

Any donation, no matter the size, would be deeply appreciated and will help cover medical expenses and everyday needs while Victoria focuses on healing and being there for her girls. It will also allow Nick to miss work to be there for her and to assume responsibilities for the twins on his own that Vicki is usually able to help with (like taking them to get braces next week and handling meals on his own).

Vicki and I have been high school best friends for 21 years and she’s Aunt Vicki to my boys We best friended so hard that of course we’d end up with matching neurological disorders. IIH (intracranial hypertension) is absolutely debilitating; it feels like having a brain tumor without the tumor. She’s looking at stent placement in her brain and the long, painful recovery that comes with getting used to them. I had the same surgery a few years ago and it was a tough recovery. If she has to face a shunt placement, the road ahead will be even harder — but if anyone has the strength to face it, she does. Tomorrow (hopefully) we will know if she needs a stent (best case) or a shunt (worst case).

Hospital bills from the first 9-day stay (where she was in the step-down unit) are already totaling $55K AFTER insurance & hospital discounts.

She thanks you for your love, support, and prayers. & for the many coffees that have been brought to her at Mission.