Oceans in Motion for Christina

Christina was diagnosed with NF2 (neurofibromatosis type 2)  when she was 9 years old.  It is estimated that 1 in 40,000 people have NF2. She is the only one in her family to have this rare disorder. Every-day simple tasks that we take for granted, like walking and talking are a daily struggle for her. She goes for physical therapy a few times a week to help keep mobility in her legs. Every 6 months she has to go for pet scans to make sure tumors aren't growing.

At the age of 9, Christina had her 1st spinal surgery to remove tumors growing on her spine. In high school, she had  a surgery to remove tumors by her ears and went deaf in one ear.  In 2011, the tumor on her good hearing ear started growing rapidly affecting her hearing. To avoid a brain surgery, the surgeons had tried chemo to shrink the tumor, but unfortunately  had to stop it because she almost hemorrhaged to death.  
Christina then had her 4th major brain surgery in 2012 leaving her completely deaf.

That same tumor that was removed almost 6 years ago grew back with a vengeance on her brainstem in October 2017 resulting in her most recent brain surgery the beginning of May 2018. This surgery which would be her 5th major brain surgery and was very complicated and risky requiring her and her family to travel to  Boston where she would have the best surgeon perform this 10 hour brain surgery. During the surgery, an ABI device was implanted to help her possibly hear sounds in the future. She came home to N.J. feeling great and we truly thought it was a miracle. Weeks later due to post-op complications, she contracted a meningitis infection  that left her unresponsive for 3 days almost losing her life.  This led to her 6th brain surgery to treat the infection and remove the ABI device. Christina is  still in the hospital recovering from all she's been through this last month and will be doing rehab next.

 I am starting this fund and also planning a fundraiser at Americana Salon & Spa in Roseland, N.J. this coming fall to help this beautiful woman, my best friend to help cover her medical expenses. Throughout the 30+ years I've known her, she has never let anything stop her and still smiles through all the pain.

Since she loves the beach, summer and ice cream to name a few, I named this fundraiser "Oceans in Motion " for Christina. With the love and support of her husband, family and friends, I believe we can be her very own ocean. Thank you in advance! Anything will help!

"Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean"
-Ryunosuke Satoro