ICU for Elle aka Grrlgenius_

UPDATE: 10/27/22

Elle had a ministroke on Sunday in my arms. She's been touch-and-go. I cannot believe how many people sharing this older GFM. Those funds (approx 8800) went towards Elle's medical bills (for an MRI and a cancer tumor removal.) As a small biz owner, I made big bets during the summer ( while all my vendors had sales after raising their prices every year.) Heatwaves and not getting into markets (fees have doubled) had meant. I have not been able to recover.

The bill for Elle's current situation is closing in on $9K. 401K has been cashed. I'm doing whatever it takes, if you are in People Operations/HR and need a corporate gift I can help on whiskey and woof dot com. One of Elle's medications is $300. They told me it's less expensive but takes weeks to order it from Canada. This whole thing has been intense.

The GFM boost has been unexpected. I am so grateful for you all I can't express how much. VERG not only found what happened but answered WHY - and some of that relates to the things I wrote down below in March- why she was getting up and down off the couch, something AMC did not do. I will never go there again.

The stories of what Elle has meant to you. It's been so uplifting in a touch-and-go week.

Thank you,

Colleen "Coco" Quill

ORIGINAL reasons this was started in March:

Hello, Elle is a 12-year-old Frenchie who has amuses 18K followers on Instagram. She has modeled for brands that include Diesel, Barbour and Lulu Guinness, which allowed her to pay for her own care for a few years. Elle's platform has been used to raise awareness and funds for charities including The Mayhew, Cruelty-Free International, Save The Children, Red Cross Australia, AKC, The Trevor Project and French Bulldog Rescue Network

Unfortunately, this active adventure lover recently took a turn for the worse and had problems controlling the left side of her body. After a suspected brain tumor diagnosis, crate rest, medication and observing her behavior, more tests were done, and the glimmer of improvement she showed physically was not a neurological improvement.

Elle has been frustrated and missing her walks and cuddling on the couch. Her eyes kept asking "why is this happening?" We had taken all the steps to rule out other options. I took a step back, weighed the few options, and knew I had to find the answer for her. As a result, we found there was no brain tumor.

The short version: Elle had stroke in the right side of her brain. The MRI also picked up a respiratory disease and a disc injury. The treatment was so vastly different, finding out what was wrong with her has completely altered her treatment.

The medical version: The MRI revealed a band at C2, resulting in dorsal compression and atrophy of the spinal cord and severe syringohydromylia. There is a flattening of the cerebellum and kinking of the medulla, consistes with COMS. Additionally, there is a lesion causing mass effect at the grey-white matter within the right temporat lobe. Following anesthesia, she had difficulty oxygenating, so she was hospitalized for monitoring and oxygen support overnight. She is now on an oral bronchodilator due to her lower airway disease.

After many requests and now finally knowing what is wrong with her and an approximation of the costs and how little insurance covers it is time to ask others for help.

How did I arrive at this number? Elle had a beneign tumor removed from her eye a few months ago that was $3500+. Insurance covered $780. The costs of the exams and treatement for the stroke/neck/respirtory issue discovery are over $6000. The medication she will be on for the rest of her life is $280 per bottle. If it worsens we will have to proceed with the Internal Medical speciailist and if her physical behaviour worsens on her left side again there may be more treatment needed. Insurance has only given us under $30 fr the exams and medication. (The insurance company pays 60% of what they cover, so if they determine care and exams are not under what they cover, it is not counted towards a payout.)