Miranda's Healthy Heart Fight

On Wednesday, June 19, 2019, our Treehouse Shakers’ company member, Miranda Wilson, was admitted to the hospital for a severe seizure. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was initially given a CT Scan and an MRI. Results of the MRI determined that Miranda had three very small spots on her brain that are called “old strokes” which means that at some point in her life, she has had three mini-strokes. This led to her being admitted to the hospital for neurological observation and further tests. During her hospital stay, and because of this discovery of the “old strokes”, the medical team conducted a heart ECHO test, which determined that there was scar tissue in her heart’s mitral valve causing it to tighten. They believe that a clot/scar tissue in the mitral valve from her most likely had broken off, traveled to her brain, and thus caused the seizure. Through further tests, it was determined that she has Rheumatic Affect Disease (which is causing the mitral valve stenosis). The cardiologists believe that this is caused from having a severe bout of strep when she was a young teen. The tightened mitral valve is affecting the left atrium, which is connected to the pulmonary vein, and has also caused an enlarged upper heart, which has been pushing on her lungs. This has potentially led to that pesky cough we’ve heard Miranda have for the better part of the last few years.

Miranda as Queen of the Lost in Treehouse Shakers' Under the Tangle

Since the initial incident, Miranda is currently at the doctor every 3 days to check blood levels via INR tests. She is on multiple medications for blood thinning in order to achieve these levels, which includes twice a day injections and a blood thinner pill. The pill will be something she will be on for the rest of the foreseeable future. Additionally, she is in the process of meeting with multiple specialists in both neurology and cardiology, which, on top of the visits with the specialists, includes multiple in-office and at-home additional testing which can be limiting to what Miranda can do day-to-day. It is believed that Miranda will have an outpatient surgery to help her heart’s mitral valve (called balloon valvuloplasty) at some point before the end of the year.
Miranda as Granny in Treehouse Shakers' Olive & Pearl

Along with her medicine, countless number of follow-up doctor appointments, the potential upcoming heart surgery, the emergency ride she initially took to the hospital, and her week- long stay in the hospital (which including 7 specialty tests run on top of all the other costs of a hospital stay), Miranda has incurred a number of unwarranted bills. As a freelance artist/performer she is only paid by the hour, or per performance, and unfortunately her ability to work is greatly affected by the treatment and testing she now has to endure. She has incurred a number of medical bills already, and there will be many more before the end of the summer.

We are hoping to help cover her medical bills, support her while she is limited to work, and get her through these next few months of tests, surgery and patient treatments.

Miranda is our company’s rock. We know she is other people’s rock as well. She is a kind-hearted and generous performer, sister, daughter, aunt, friend, and artist. She has always been the one to do the heavy lifting and figuring out for our company, now it is our turn to help her navigate her health through the next few months. We want Miranda to come back with a healthier heart and continue to provide the good in the world.

Miranda with audience members of Treehouse Shakers' Hatched