Liza’s Surgery and Medical Expenses

As some of you may know, the past few years have been a wild ride of a medical journey for me and it’s just taking off. It has taken a lot of vulnerability for us to continue in this way and to reach out for support from our friends, family and community. Thank you for even beginning to read this page and considering supporting us in this challenging and testing time.

In Feb ‘18, I woke up one morning with nausea, vertigo, massive migraines and severe balance issues. I’ve had a history of headaches and at an ER visit received a CT scan and was diagnosed with Vertigo and told to wait it out. The symptoms at their worst, lasted for about a week. As time went on, they lessened, but I would continue to live with recurrent vertigo and balance issues and constant headaches and migraines.

Fast forward to the fall of ‘22, Emily and I start to notice that I’m having a hard time hearing out of my left ear. Over the next six months, I go to the doctors, then to the audiologist and ENT appointments.

In April of ‘23, another severe round of vertigo came my way and I was in so much pain - suffering with noise sensitivity, ear pain, the worst migraines imaginable, dizziness, vertigo and balance issues. I spent almost two weeks with my eyes closed and my ears plugged to avoid as much painful stimulation as possible.

The ENT sent me to get another CT scan and we were finally led to an answer other than just vertigo. I have a rare disorder called Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SSCD) - a hole in my ear canal. Essentially, my brain is resting on my ear canal without bone for protection.

This led me to Mass Eye and Ear for more testing and scans. These tests confirmed SSCD and found an additional larger hole in the base of my skull which is also adding to problems.

Since April, I’ve been struggling daily with symptoms of noise sensitivity, the worst migraines I’ve ever experienced, ear ringing, loud echoes of internal sounds and my voice, and hearing loss. I wake up each morning never knowing how I’m going to feel that day. I’m constantly having to work to make my life fit around my symptoms.

I’ve since received surgery - the only solution, a surgery called a Middle Fossa Craniotomy. The surgeon was able to plug the holes necessary. Recovery was a challenge. My vestibular system in my left ear had been completely reset and I have been struggling with balance issues and understanding my physical place in the space around me. Along with that, constant fatigue and burnout from any physical activity and pain in my head and neck. I’ve been to many different appointments to seek help from this post surgery - lots of physical therapy, chiropractic care, acupuncture and a pain specialist.

Along the way, I have begun to recognize symptoms of SSCD in the right ear as well - ear pain and hearing internal body noises, like my heart beating or my footsteps, loudly in my right ear. Then we learned that I do have SSCD on that side as well and again, the only permanent solution is surgery. Until I have this surgery, I will continue to have issues with my vestibular system.

I thought that surgery on my left ear was going to be the end of this medical journey but that has changed and has been very hard to accept along with all of the issues from surgery #1. The plan for right now is to take some more time on disability to rest and recover. Once the issues from my left ear clear up a bit, we will start planning for the right ear craniotomy.

As you can imagine, through all of the events mentioned above, we have racked up quite the hospital and medical bills and have more bills and expenses coming our way.

The contributions collected will help us in tremendous ways to continue to cover medical bills from the initial surgery, travel to and from Boston for appointments and follow ups, cover medical bills from many different doctors appointments, supplies and such needed post surgery and any other unexpected expenses that we will face along the way.

We recognize that not everyone is in a place to make a monetary donation but your support is still appreciated. You can also contribute by sharing the go fund me page and my story, reaching out to chat and check in and just by sending positive vibes our way!

Thanks for reading, sharing and supporting however you can. We are eternally grateful for any support and kind wishes.

Much love and thanks,

The Strattons

Liza, Emily and Ozzy