Please help support Sue and her daughter Maui

My name is Dee Healey-Gaunce and I am requesting donations to support my good friend of 30 years, Sue Lengyel, and her 12 year old daughter Maui Lengyel. Sue works full-time as the school nurse at Chancellor Livingston Elementary in Rhinebeck, NY. Sue is a single parent who lives paycheck to paycheck. Sue and Maui reside in Clinton Corners, NY.

Since age 5, Maui has had a myriad of medical diagnoses. Some of which include Neurofibromatosis Type 1, brain tumors with 15 months of chemotherapy, and renovascular hypertension. The brain tumors caused Maui to go blind in one eye. She takes 3 anti-hypertensive medications and a blood thinner every day. Because of these medical issues, Maui has endured frightening and agonizing things I know most adults wouldn't be able to handle. Despite all these challenges, Maui perseveres, and all with a smile on her face. Maui is described by many as loving, kind, humble, courageous, and wise beyond her years. Maui doesn't let anything bring her down! As for Sue, she struggles on, dedicated to being strong for Maui despite how overwhelmed or distressed she may be. Sue puts on her happy face, even though quietly, she is tormented by all her precious Maui-Girl has to endure.

Maui was most recently diagnosed with Moyamoya Disease, in December 2021. The doctors also discovered Maui had already suffered a stroke. Moyamoya Disease is a progressive, cerebrovascular disease, in which blood vessels in the brain become narrowed, restricting blood flow to the brain, which in turn may cause strokes. Maui had her 1st brain surgery, called Pial Synangiosis, in February 2022, on the right side of her brain.

During Pial Synangiosis surgery, the neurosurgeon first makes an incision in Maui's scalp to expose a healthy blood vessel, called the superficial temporal artery. He then separates this artery from the surrounding tissue while blood continues to flow through it. Then, a craniotomy is performed beneath the artery. The surgeon then uses a microscope to carefully open each of the brain's coverings, exposing the surface of the brain. The surgeon then places the artery directly onto the brain and sews the tissues around it to the surface of the brain, keeping the artery in direct contact with the brain. He then replaces the bone and secures it with a titanium plate and screws. He then closes the incision with stitches. Over several months, new blood vessels grow like roots from the healthy artery in the brain. restoring blood flow.

Regrettably, Maui's recent cerebral angiogram showed significant narrowing of the blood vessels and poor blood perfusion to the front right, as well as the left side of her brain. Therefore, Maui requires brain surgery to both areas of her brain, to restore blood flow and help prevent strokes. The surgery will again be performed at Boston Children's Hospital. Surgery takes about 4 hours for each area of the brain affected. Maui will be in the hospital for about a week, and once medically stable, will be discharged home for the long recovery ahead. Without the surgery, Maui is at risk of having a serious to fatal stroke.

I am requesting donations to please help support my dear friend Sue and sweet Maui through this difficult ordeal. Donations will go towards medical expenses, as well as monthly bills. In order for Sue to be home to care for Maui during her recovery, she needs to take an unpaid leave from her job, as her employer does not participate in NYS Paid Family Leave. Due to Maui's ongoing medical diagnoses, Sue will have exhausted her paid sick time within the first week of Maui's hospital stay. There will also be follow-up visits to Boston for medical check-ups and imaging to see how Maui's brain is since the surgery. Please help Sue be able to be with Maui, without having to stress about bills or her loss of income. Any donation is appreciated, and prayers are also very welcome! Thank you so much.