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On behalf of Bella Fisher and family, we are seeking monetary donations to fund medical expenses for revascularization surgery expenses, not covered by health insurance. This is a dire situation that began back in May and will continue to challenge their family through the coming year.
A month before her 14th birthday in May 2020, Isabella, a creative, funny & charismatic young lady, experienced the onset of unusual stroke-like symptoms, including numbness and tingling in her arm and fingertips. She was barely able to form words to complete a sentence. Originally thought to be Bell’s palsy, Bella spent a week in Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida undergoing many tests including several MRI’s and spinal tap. After relentless examinations with the top neurology specialists, it was determined that she did suffer a mini-stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack). In addition to her transient ischemic episode, her MRI showed evidence of recent strokes, which made her case a higher risk.
They were then referred to the lead neurologist at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. After spending a week, two hours away from home in St. Petersburg FL, Bella was later diagnosed with an extremely rare condition called Moyamoya disease.
Moyamoya is defined as a rare blood vessel (vascular) disorder in which the carotid artery in the skull becomes blocked or narrowed, reducing blood flow to the brain. Tiny blood vessels then open up at the base of the brain in an attempt to supply the brain with blood. Moyamoya translates in Japanese as “Puff of smoke” referring to the imagery seen on a brain scan.
In order to correct this Bella will need to undergo two separate bypass surgeries.
The procedure is called indirect revascularization.
The surgeon makes a small temporary opening in the skull directly beneath the artery and attaches (sutures) the intact scalp artery to the surface of your brain, which allows blood vessels from the artery to grow into your brain over time. The surgeon then replaces the bone and closes the opening in your skull. The surgery creates new healthy pathways for normal blood flow to reach the brain.
The first of her two surgeries are this week with the second one due sometime in the late fall after ample healing time and many more tests. Isabella continues to be optimistic in light of the challenges ahead of her. She reminds us to always “look up, when things are looking down.”
We are praying for a generous outpouring of donations to facilitate paying for these extraordinary costs. Any donation beyond what is needed will be donated to the Moyamoya Foundation.
We humbly appreciate any generosity & prayers, God Bless!
Below:An Overview from Boston's Children's Hospital
A month before her 14th birthday in May 2020, Isabella, a creative, funny & charismatic young lady, experienced the onset of unusual stroke-like symptoms, including numbness and tingling in her arm and fingertips. She was barely able to form words to complete a sentence. Originally thought to be Bell’s palsy, Bella spent a week in Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida undergoing many tests including several MRI’s and spinal tap. After relentless examinations with the top neurology specialists, it was determined that she did suffer a mini-stroke or TIA (transient ischemic attack). In addition to her transient ischemic episode, her MRI showed evidence of recent strokes, which made her case a higher risk.
They were then referred to the lead neurologist at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. After spending a week, two hours away from home in St. Petersburg FL, Bella was later diagnosed with an extremely rare condition called Moyamoya disease.
Moyamoya is defined as a rare blood vessel (vascular) disorder in which the carotid artery in the skull becomes blocked or narrowed, reducing blood flow to the brain. Tiny blood vessels then open up at the base of the brain in an attempt to supply the brain with blood. Moyamoya translates in Japanese as “Puff of smoke” referring to the imagery seen on a brain scan.
In order to correct this Bella will need to undergo two separate bypass surgeries.
The procedure is called indirect revascularization.
The surgeon makes a small temporary opening in the skull directly beneath the artery and attaches (sutures) the intact scalp artery to the surface of your brain, which allows blood vessels from the artery to grow into your brain over time. The surgeon then replaces the bone and closes the opening in your skull. The surgery creates new healthy pathways for normal blood flow to reach the brain.
The first of her two surgeries are this week with the second one due sometime in the late fall after ample healing time and many more tests. Isabella continues to be optimistic in light of the challenges ahead of her. She reminds us to always “look up, when things are looking down.”
We are praying for a generous outpouring of donations to facilitate paying for these extraordinary costs. Any donation beyond what is needed will be donated to the Moyamoya Foundation.
We humbly appreciate any generosity & prayers, God Bless!
Below:An Overview from Boston's Children's Hospital