Paula and Juan Nystrom hit Pause
Donation protected
During the weekend of December 12th, my sister-in-law, Paula Nystrom, learned that she has a large mass growing in her brain. Under normal circumstances she could undergo immediate brain surgery. However, Paula is currently 28 weeks pregnant with a baby girl (Lilith) and unable to follow the traditional treatment.
The doctors have deduced that the mass in Paula's brain has been growing slowly over a couple of years and that it is likely benign. Because of this, the surgical team has decided that the best course forward is to delay surgery. The current plan is for Paula to deliver baby Lilith at 32 weeks by cesarean, and for Paula to undergo brain surgery to remove the mass two days later. Lilith will spend eight weeks in the NICU after the cesarean and Paula will be on bed rest for eight weeks following the surgery.
Paula and Juan are fortunate to have a team of the best doctors in the Upper Midwest. There is an enormous sense of relief that Paula and baby Lilith have great prognoses (both have survival rates over 95%). They are also lucky to have so many family members and friends in the area to help with Paula’s recovery and baby Lilith. Despite all of the above, this sudden development is terrifying and has completely turned their life upside down.
Before this weekend Paula was working, volunteering, and completing graduate school, all while enduring horrible morning sickness throughout her pregnancy. Juan has been helping my husband Ian and myself by watching our children so that we can continue to work full time. Juan was in the process of returning to school next spring. He was planning to balance coursework while acting as the primary caretaker for baby Lilith. Paula only needs to complete her boards so that she can transition into a post-graduate career in social work.
These two have been through so much over the last 13 years. They are resilient and they make each other profoundly happy. I’d like to think that because of their devotion to each other, this unfortunate situation will not sideline their life but instead just put things on hold.
Many people have asked how they can help. My thoughts are that donating to this fund is one of the best ways to do that. I believe it will give them the freedom to focus on the mental and physical toll of the next few months, while hitting "pause" on the cost of living (rent, food, diapers, etc.). If you are in a position to help lessen these expenses, please consider contributing to their fund.
Thank you so much for your consideration,
Erica
P.s. Local family and friends: many of you have offered to drop off a meal. That is very kind, and Juan and Paula are grateful! Please send me a message or leave a message in the comment section if this is something you are interested in. I will get in touch to share a google spreadsheet that we are using to organize and spread out meal drop-offs at this time. Thanks!
The doctors have deduced that the mass in Paula's brain has been growing slowly over a couple of years and that it is likely benign. Because of this, the surgical team has decided that the best course forward is to delay surgery. The current plan is for Paula to deliver baby Lilith at 32 weeks by cesarean, and for Paula to undergo brain surgery to remove the mass two days later. Lilith will spend eight weeks in the NICU after the cesarean and Paula will be on bed rest for eight weeks following the surgery.
Paula and Juan are fortunate to have a team of the best doctors in the Upper Midwest. There is an enormous sense of relief that Paula and baby Lilith have great prognoses (both have survival rates over 95%). They are also lucky to have so many family members and friends in the area to help with Paula’s recovery and baby Lilith. Despite all of the above, this sudden development is terrifying and has completely turned their life upside down.
Before this weekend Paula was working, volunteering, and completing graduate school, all while enduring horrible morning sickness throughout her pregnancy. Juan has been helping my husband Ian and myself by watching our children so that we can continue to work full time. Juan was in the process of returning to school next spring. He was planning to balance coursework while acting as the primary caretaker for baby Lilith. Paula only needs to complete her boards so that she can transition into a post-graduate career in social work.
These two have been through so much over the last 13 years. They are resilient and they make each other profoundly happy. I’d like to think that because of their devotion to each other, this unfortunate situation will not sideline their life but instead just put things on hold.
Many people have asked how they can help. My thoughts are that donating to this fund is one of the best ways to do that. I believe it will give them the freedom to focus on the mental and physical toll of the next few months, while hitting "pause" on the cost of living (rent, food, diapers, etc.). If you are in a position to help lessen these expenses, please consider contributing to their fund.
Thank you so much for your consideration,
Erica
P.s. Local family and friends: many of you have offered to drop off a meal. That is very kind, and Juan and Paula are grateful! Please send me a message or leave a message in the comment section if this is something you are interested in. I will get in touch to share a google spreadsheet that we are using to organize and spread out meal drop-offs at this time. Thanks!
Co-organizers (3)
Erica Nystrom
Organizer
St. Paul, MN
Paula Nystrom
Beneficiary
Juan Nystrom
Co-organizer