Medical & Travel Costs for Paxtens Surgery

I’m organizing this GoFundMe on behalf of my sister Kathi Miller, her husband Rich and their family. 

Paxten (9 years old), their youngest daughter was recently diagnosed with Chiari Malformation.

*Chiari malformation (kee-AH-ree mal-for-MAY-shun) is a condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal. It occurs when part of the skull is misshapen or smaller than is typical, pressing on the brain and forcing it downward. 

This causes Paxten to have severe headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, vomiting and multiple other symptoms. She suffers from these episodes 2-3x’s weekly and the intensity varies. There have been many days of missed school, others days of just coming home to rest because just running can cause her to have an episode of severe head pain. After an episode there will be a day or two she doesn’t want to play or go outside. Some of that is fear of it occurring again and the other part is she is wiped out and typically left with a day of dizziness and nausea. This has made it very difficult for her to just be a kid. 

They have had to travel to Rochester and NYC for multiple tests and to meet with specialist (this along with the many appointments here in Syracuse). Paxten is scheduled to have Chiari Malformation decompression surgery in NYC On 6/15/22. They are going to have to stay in a hotel from anywhere between 5-12 days, depending on how the surgery goes.  My hopes are to raise money to help with the cost of travel, hotel, food and other expenses they incur while they are there.

Rich had a heart attack a few months ago and was out of work. He does not have sick or personal time to take off work and will have to take this time off without pay.

All money raised will help with alleviate some financial stress and let them focus on Paxten and her healing. Every penny helps, your donations and support are greatly appreciated! 

Post from Kathi’s Facebook:

Hello friends and family we are ready to share Paxten’s recent health concerns and hopefully help others in similar situations. Paxten has suffered over the last few months with severe headaches, vomiting, dizzinesses and several other neurological symptoms. We took her to the pediatrician and even a neurologist and while at first they diagnosed her with having possible migraines, her MRI soon showed that she had a Chiari Malformation (I attached a link below). Paxten will need to have surgery on 6/15/2022. Unfortunately this is a condition that is not widely published and as a result many suffer for years with symptoms. It has been a crazy few months and it is only the start of her journey. We were unsure about sharing but know that doing so may bring awareness to others so that the journey to diagnosis and treatment is not delayed by lack of information.