Hi, my name is Debbie. I am fundraising for my daughter and her family.

With no prior health conditions and no heart issues, Melissa was called a "Medical Marvel" by the doctor's and staff at the hospital. Why? She had 3 separate strokes in 3 separate areas of her brain. They found a rare Fibroelastoma (tumor) at the end of her mitral valve of her heart, which caused the strokes. She was admitted to the hospital with minimal use of her left arm and hand and completely paralyzed in her left leg. She could not move any part of her leg. She was transferred to stroke rehabailitation 3 days later, still unable to move her leg and very weak in her arm and hand. Within 24 hours she was able to walk! Her leg and hand are still very weak but she is determined to recover 100%.

The biggest challenge she now faces is open heart surgery to remove the tumor. Below is her story.

Melissa is 47 years old and has a son still living at home. Her and her husband work hard and both have full time jobs. On Saturday August 26 at approximately 10 p.m., very suddenly Melissa loss use of her left leg and her left arm. Many things ran through her mind but she never thought about a stroke. She went on to bed. In the early morning hours she woke up with a blinding headache. Sunday morning her husband took her to the local hospital's emergency department.

To make a long story short, Melissa suffered 3 strokes in 3 different parts of her brain! Her left hand was not working correctly and she had no use of her left leg. Over the next few days many doctors came in and out and cardiology at the UVA Medical Center was in the forefront of managing her condition. A woman with no prior cardiac issues and in seemingly great health having 3 strokes is very, very rare. So now they started tracking down the cause of the strokes. More tests.

Ultimately they discovered she had a tumor on the mitral valve in her heart. It's called Fibroelastoma. It is a rare tumor of the heart requiring open heart surgery to remove. It is a very dangerous condition and we are working aggressively with UVA to get her on the surgical schedule; tentatively for 09/25/2023.

Why is she considered a medical marvel? She's 47. She's in relatively good health with no prior heart problems. She had 3 strokes and has Fibroelastoma. She was paralyzed on the left side. By Wednesday she was transferred from ICU to the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit. By Thursday morning, she had "willed" herself to walk and guess what, she is able to put weight on her left leg and walk without the aide of the walker!!! Many prayers have been lifted up for her and her family and our God delivered.

She is still very weak and has problem solving and coordination challenges but with PT, after her heart surgery, we're all praying she will make a full recovery. But that is going to take time and aggressive therapy.

Her husband's work has been more than accommodating and understanding; he's had to miss a lot of work and will be missing more after the heart surgery. Her employer has been understanding and supportive as well. Melissa and Bobby have always supported themselves and their family and have helped others out in need as well. They have NEVER asked for or accepted help from others. This is different. This is life changing in every sense of the word.

Her medical copayments and deductibles with their loss of income will be significant. Especially the open heart surgery and subsequent recovery and physical therapy.

It's so very important they focus 100% on her heath and recovery and not worry about whether they will be able to keep their home and put food on the table. All funds will be used for expenses related to her stroke and her recovery. Any excess funds will be repurposed to help others that find themselves in a situation like hers.

Thank you for your support and help. Our prayers are with all those suffering and those in positions to help.