*ONE YEAR POST-SURGERY UPDATE*

(Silly hospital gown pics included..)

Hi All - Kristin here. It's crazy but I just hit the one year post-nerve surgery mark. Dr. Ducic found quite a bit of complication inside my right frontal lobe when he went in to perform the procedure with the final diagnosis being Trigeminal Nerve Disorder. He had to cut bone, unwrap and remove spiraling fiberous tissue, fat graft to pad and protect, and perform other techniques in order to fix the massive compression of my three main nerves. I had hoped that the healing journey I have been through over the past 12 months would leave me 100% pain free. Unfortunately, I am one of the very few people in thousands of similar surgeries that was not that lucky. However, the surgery has allowed me to continue living, enjoying the good moments and pushing through the bad.

The economy and life, in general, has been so tough. For EVERYONE. There was a chance that I would have a 2nd nerve excision surgery but that does not seem to be an option right now. I still deal with frequent discomfort and pain, and continue to push through the exhaustion of daily life to advocate for my health. My Mayo Clinic neurologist retired and they discharged all of his patients. I am still fighting to find a neurologist that understands the surgery I had and how to continue my care. I currently see a pain management doctor to fill scripts and allow me to keep working full-time. I see a therapist and psychiatrist to deal with the mental struggles of my situation. It's exhausting and disheartening that through all this, I still owe about $10K on the CareCredit card that allowed me to have the original surgery.

Honestly, I have never been one to ask for help. Especially for money. I still have half of the first surgery to pay off, along with doctor's co-pays, prescriptions, travel to the farther away docs, therapy and psychiatry bills, and who knows what else. I just hand them my card at this point thinking "help me". Those friends and acquaintances that have donated have allowed me to help pay off the first half of my surgery and that has touched my heart to the very core. I don't know how I would've done it with you wonderful, amazing people. I am putting this out there again even though I know everyone is struggling. I don't want anyone to feel guilty if they cannot contribute or only can give $10. $10 is $10 and I could never fully thank you all for giving a damn about me. I appreciate you taking the time to read this update and I am wishing the best for everyone going through these tough times.

Kristin <3