Mandy's Medical Madness

My name is Manuella (Mandy) Monreal and I have been a type 1 diabetic for 16 years. When you are eleven years old you wouldn't think about needles and insulin injections, or not getting to eat birthday cake at a friends party. I wasn't allowed a normal childhood as this disease matured me before I could blink. At the age of 16, still going through that awkward teenage faze, I was diagnosed with a Craniopharyngioma (brain tumor) on my pituitary gland. Due to migrains and not being able to focus or even be in a lit room, I was very scared. This gave me my first taste of surgery but it wouldn’t be my last. 4 years later, the tumor came back. We went to Santa Monica for both surgeries because that’s where the best doctors were. Dr. Daniel Kelly who perfected this procedure went through my nose and extracted the tumor both in 2005 and again in 2009. It was a difficult time indeed. In 2009 I had to drop out of college due to my medical issues forcing me to give up my scholarship and the dream of one day becoming a journalist. But through the hard times my family and I found the silver lining. We were provided housing through earthly angels and The Ronald McDonald House Charities for the first surgery. Back in Santa Monica another angelic friend touched my family again with the use of her home in Dana Point for recovery.

My health stabilized for about 4 years until we got the devastating news that my father had unexpectedly passed away in his home. My heart was broken and I couldn’t imagine any worse pain than that. I miss you my big lug, every minute of every day. 

In the Summer of 2015 I was hospitalized with a misdiagnosis which never really fixed the gastric problems I was facing. In February of 2016, hospitalized once more, they determined that I was suffering from a diabetic caused complication called gastroparesis. This disease has killed the nerves in my stomach making it impossible to digest food without the assistance of medicine. Even then when bad days come around they are excruciatingly painful.

My dream has always been to be a writter, so after my college days didn't play out to get my degree, I began a food blog to continue my love for the written word along with my infatuation with good food. Now with my disease even that dream has vanished.

After two more visits to emergency rooms and hospital stays I was recently admitted into Summerlin Hospital here in Las Vegas. They were hopeful for a speedy recovery resulting in me being sent to a rehabilitation clinic. It was there that my medication (including insulin and gastric medicine) was altered which put me into DKA and the seizures began.

After about three days still in pain and with little sleep, I was rushed back to the hospital suffering from multiple grand mal seizures. The ER was a nightmare with mean aggressive nurses and accusing doctors calling me a drug addict and that I was throwing a fit. It wasn’t until after the results came back from the lab and an EEG stating I was infact having seizures,  the hospital started taking me seriously. I was there for a total of 5 days where I was treated in  the ICU by an incredible staff, making it possible for me  to go home and recover.  Thank you to Michelle Weihman for your care and staff who made a bad experience much more tollerable. Because I was suffering from multiple grand mal seizures, in the state of Nevada they require you to be 90 days seizure free before being allowed to drive resulting in suspension of my license. I now depend on friends and family to get around.

I am an active member of The Downtown Las Vegas Rotary Club and I absolutely love the family I have found there. We give back to our community by throwing birthday parties at The Andre Agassi Boy's and Girl's Club, cook meals for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House which is a favorite of mine given I was once a child who's family benefited from that charity. As the PR Chair sitting on the board of my Rotary club I try to attend as many events as possible in hopes to promote our efforts in serving humanity. Because of my circumstances I have had to take a medical leave from the club which is devestating to me and my love in giving back to our community. 


Now back in my own surroundings I am suffering from the stress and anxiety of over $30,000 in medical bills and not to mention almost 3 weeks off work. I take over 13 medication daily that make my wallet scream. My family and I have decided to take action in seeking surgery for a gastric pacemaker that will assist in the function of my endocrine and digestive system. This procedure will further my financial needs. My doctors are hopeful that this will drastically lessen the percentage of hospitalization in the future.

In the past week I was hospitalized once again with excrutiating pain. Another week and a half off work recovering in the hospital I was released on Thursday October 6th to get back home and start work asap. On the way home from the hostpital I received a call from my employer stating that due to my health issues and time spent away from the office that they have to let me go. Now sick, stressed, and unemployed. 

This is my prayer that my story gets shared and that donations, when available, are made to help in this time of need.


I find myself lost. 
I am not one to ask for charity or a hand out. I find satisfaction in helping other's but hate when the roles are reversed. Here is my humbling moment.... Help is needed. Please share my story. Anything and everything is greatly appreciated, prayers especially. 
Thank you and God Bless.