Michelle's Recovery Fund
Donation protected
Dear Friends & Family,
I am starting this GoFundMe in honor of my mom Michelle Vanderweide and her husband Paul. For any of you that may not know, Michelle has been suffering from severe spinal fluid leaks that have caused her world to turn upside down. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak occurs when there is a tear or hole in the membranes surrounding the brain or spinal cord, allowing the clear fluid that surrounds and cushions those organs to escape. These spinal leaks have triggered continues chronic migraines, dizziness and severe and debilitating nerve pain.
She wakes up every day with severe pain and struggles to get through the day. She has been to Mayo, Cedar-Sinai, Barrows and now they are sending her to Duke University hospital in NC. She has had multiple painful procedures to try to get this under control. The problem is, what she has. Is rare. She has a pinhole leak most likely at the nerve level in her spine. There is now also the possibility that she has Idiopathic intracranial hypertension disorder related to high pressure in the brain. If too much fluid is made or not enough is re-absorbed, the CSF can build up. This can cause symptoms like those of a brain tumor.
She will be traveling in 3 weeks to Duke University Hospital in NC. Hopefully, to finally get the answers and relief that she has been seeking for the past 2 years. As you can imagine, this has been an incredibly difficult experience and will continue to be an uphill battle for Michelle.
As you all know, Michelle is one of the most genuine and goodhearted women you'll ever meet. She is not one to reach out and ask for help. As utterly terrifying as the past few years have been, Michelle's strength and positive attitude through this incredibly trying time have proven unwavering. I am so proud of my mom. She is an amazing mother, wife and friend. Her resilience and faith will undoubtedly pull her through this nightmare.
There is no definitive timetable for Michelle's progress since spinal fluid leaks are so complex and sensitive. Some of these trials have not been FDA approved so things have been quite expensive. When Michelle and her family travels to these out of state hospitals she is responsible for flight, hotel and any other medical expenses that are not covered by her insurance. With all of these dis-encouraging events happening, Michelle is determined to remain in good spirits, continue her faith in the Lord and work hard to regain her life back. I know we are all hoping and praying for her recovery!
I set up this GoFundMe page as a communication platform to ensure we keep all of Michelle's wonderful friends and family up to date on her status and progress. As you can imagine, her and Paul will incur significant medical expenses during this process, so any donations towards Michelle's recovery are so greatly appreciated to help get her to NC. If you are unable to donate, prayers and good vibes are just as important!
I want to thank the many friends and family who have reached out to support and pray for Michelle through this difficult time. The outpouring of love and encouragement has been overwhelmingly touching and instrumental in aiding Michelle's battle to get as healthy as possible!
Thank you again for all your prayers, love and support for Michelle and Paul!
Cassie
I am starting this GoFundMe in honor of my mom Michelle Vanderweide and her husband Paul. For any of you that may not know, Michelle has been suffering from severe spinal fluid leaks that have caused her world to turn upside down. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak occurs when there is a tear or hole in the membranes surrounding the brain or spinal cord, allowing the clear fluid that surrounds and cushions those organs to escape. These spinal leaks have triggered continues chronic migraines, dizziness and severe and debilitating nerve pain.
She wakes up every day with severe pain and struggles to get through the day. She has been to Mayo, Cedar-Sinai, Barrows and now they are sending her to Duke University hospital in NC. She has had multiple painful procedures to try to get this under control. The problem is, what she has. Is rare. She has a pinhole leak most likely at the nerve level in her spine. There is now also the possibility that she has Idiopathic intracranial hypertension disorder related to high pressure in the brain. If too much fluid is made or not enough is re-absorbed, the CSF can build up. This can cause symptoms like those of a brain tumor.
She will be traveling in 3 weeks to Duke University Hospital in NC. Hopefully, to finally get the answers and relief that she has been seeking for the past 2 years. As you can imagine, this has been an incredibly difficult experience and will continue to be an uphill battle for Michelle.
As you all know, Michelle is one of the most genuine and goodhearted women you'll ever meet. She is not one to reach out and ask for help. As utterly terrifying as the past few years have been, Michelle's strength and positive attitude through this incredibly trying time have proven unwavering. I am so proud of my mom. She is an amazing mother, wife and friend. Her resilience and faith will undoubtedly pull her through this nightmare.
There is no definitive timetable for Michelle's progress since spinal fluid leaks are so complex and sensitive. Some of these trials have not been FDA approved so things have been quite expensive. When Michelle and her family travels to these out of state hospitals she is responsible for flight, hotel and any other medical expenses that are not covered by her insurance. With all of these dis-encouraging events happening, Michelle is determined to remain in good spirits, continue her faith in the Lord and work hard to regain her life back. I know we are all hoping and praying for her recovery!
I set up this GoFundMe page as a communication platform to ensure we keep all of Michelle's wonderful friends and family up to date on her status and progress. As you can imagine, her and Paul will incur significant medical expenses during this process, so any donations towards Michelle's recovery are so greatly appreciated to help get her to NC. If you are unable to donate, prayers and good vibes are just as important!
I want to thank the many friends and family who have reached out to support and pray for Michelle through this difficult time. The outpouring of love and encouragement has been overwhelmingly touching and instrumental in aiding Michelle's battle to get as healthy as possible!
Thank you again for all your prayers, love and support for Michelle and Paul!
Cassie
Organizer
Cassie Shintaku
Organizer
Glendale, AZ