Kim has been experiencing symptoms of Chiari Malformation and Cerebullar Tonsillar Ectopia (CTE).  In layman's terms, her brain has descended and is blocking the opening of her skull causing spinal fluid to be blocked and her brainstem to be compressed.   When Kim was 17, she was involved in a car accident causing her head to hit the windshield.  In fact, the imprint of her forehead was actually left in the windshield.  We believe the Chiari and the CTE are the after effects of that accident. Since giving birth to our beautiful daughter, Kim has been experiencing debilitating head and neck pain, among other symptoms. Throughout the past year and a half the symptoms have progressed and she has seen several specialists including an orthopedist,  a neurologist, and multiple neurosurgeons. The doctors at Emory just want to mask the pain by prescribing pain medicine and refer to her Chiari as migraines.  I can tell you that this is far worse than any migraine!  I have watched her go from teaching/coaching and playing with her kids to praying her way through the days so she can get home and lie down.  The kids don't understand why she's so different.  They often ask why Momma doesn't play anymore.  And Momma is definitely missing having fun with her babies!   

We found a doctor in Clearwater, Florida that has finally given us concrete answers.   However, his solution involves two neck surgeries. Unfortunately he does not deal with insurance companies so we are forced to pay for the surgery out of pocket.  As I'm sure you guessed, the surgery is not cheap so we are asking for help. When Kim has surgery we will have to stay in Clearwater for some time and then travel back for the follow-up visit.  After surgery she will be unable to drive for 6 weeks which you all know will drive her crazy, pray for me!  Needless to say life will be very different for her for a while.  We are hoping to be able to schedule the surgery at the beginning of the summer so that Kim will not have to miss the beginning of the school year.  The more time she has to heal during the summer, the better off she will be.  School is not the only reason for the urgency of scheduling surgery.  The fact that Kim's brainstem is compressed creates the risk of causing irreversible nerve damage and even the possibility of a stroke. The sooner she can get this done, the better! 

This surgery will greatly and immediately improve the quality of life for Kim and get her back to being the great partner, friend, and mother we all know her to be. Thank you for your time and your generosity!