Rally for Rebecca
Donation protected
Hello friends, family, and strangers! My name is Mercedes. I consider Becca to be one of my best friends. From all the teenage angst and drama of high school to the ‘hood (parenthood, that is), Becca has always been there to offer words of wisdom and encouragement. Becca is one of the people who really wouldn’t hurt a fly, insisting instead that it just be shooed from her home. She’s saved many a spider when I’d be ready to kill it with fire. She inspires me with the way she is as a mother to her two children, Phae, who recently turned 7 and Adrian, who’s 4. She’s gentle, compassionate, understanding, open, and patient. All of the things I aspire to be. She’s also been there for me through many of my life’s trials including brain injury from a car crash. That’s why I’m in her corner today.
As we face life halfway across the country (she’s in California while I remain in Minnesota), we stay in touch almost daily. She informed me of her fertility appointment as she and her husband Drew were hoping to add to their family. On September 27th, 2018, I, along with our friend Leticia received a text message from Becca stating she found out from her fertility doc that she has a 2.5 cm prolactin producing benign macroadenoma after a series of blood work and an MRI. I remember reading that trembling. Since then we found out that it’s actually non-prolactin producing. There are a lot of unknowns. Here’s what we do know so far, little more than a week since she sent me that text:
*There’s a 90% chance that it’s non-cancerous (thankfully). We’re hoping it stays that way and no new tests reveal anything cancerous.
*Some of her peripheral vision might be compromised because...
*The 2.5 cm brain tumor is compressing her optic nerve, which her endocrinologist says could cause permanent damage including loss of vision.
*We don’t yet know how fast the tumor is growing. Which is one reason why...
*Surgery is highly likely at this point. But not a definite. Her endocrinologist stated that he will be referring her to neurosurgery once her vision test results are in.
*Becca also has a Protein S deficiency which means she has an increased risk of developing blood clots adding to her concerns during and after surgery.
*Due to the location of the tumor (on top of her pituitary gland, invading her sinus cavity), it’s possible that not all of it is going to be removed during surgery. If that’s the case, radiation therapy might be used to shrink the rest of the tumor.
*Recovery from the surgery itself is expected to take approximately 6 weeks. Recovery from radiation doesn’t have an exact timeline because we don’t yet know if or how much of the tumor will not be removed during surgery or if radiation will even be prescribed.
As life is, many things are unexpected. There’s more obstacles that Becca and her family have been battling. First, they’re running into challenges with their health insurance coverage. Also, her 4 year old son Adrian (who was born prematurely at 28 weeks) has ADHD and is undergoing growth hormone therapy . Due to the care Adrian requires, no daycare facilities Becca interviewed this past summer were able to enroll him meaning Becca stays home to care for him. Adrian has surgery scheduled next month (November 14, 2018) to correct his bilateral extropia (eye misalignment). The expected recovery is 3 days. In addition to all these health challenges, Drew is facing health challenges of his own and was on short term disability leave from work when Becca was diagnosed with the tumor. He is still on leave but anticipating his return to work any day now.
Maybe you’re like me and you’re wondering what you can do to help. As you can imagine, with everything going on all at once, finances can be even more stressful. Here are some tangible needs arising out of this situation that this fundraiser campaign would assist in covering:
*Whatever meds, equipment, or anything their insurance informs Becca that they won’t cover.
*Transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, school (for Phae), and necessities like groceries while Drew is at work. This is because of possible sudden complications that can occur with the tumor making driving unsafe for Becca.
*Someone to act in the capacity of a PCA to help during Becca’s recovery by assisting in the household tasks Becca and Drew do on a daily basis. Laundry, general cleaning, food prep/cook meals, and caring for Becca, etc.
*Grocery delivery service (or above).
*The occasional baby sitter to watch Adrian and/or Phae when Becca does have doctor’s appointments or needs time to complete certain tasks before and after surgery (again if surgery is necessary).
*This is my own add on but I figured this adorable family has gone through enough with more to come. Christmas is coming right around the corner and I feel they deserve to be overwhelmed by the goodness of their family and friends. They’re going to be more than thrilled with having each other and their bond at the end of this long, arduous, journey but there’s something about the Christmas season that puts miracles on display and instills a renewed sense of hope and optimism.
Let’s show our cherished friends Becca and Drew the light at the end of the tunnel by being that light. Money isn’t the only or even the best way to show your care. I will be updating the address for the P.O. Box as soon as Drew has it set up. Cards and/or letters of encouragement, etc. will be greatly appreciated.
P.S. Additionally, I know this is a long shot but if you or anyone you know works for an airline and can assist with discounts or stand by flights, that would help immensely as Becca’s mother (and friends who volunteer) will need to fly to California from Minnesota and Drew’s parents will need to fly from Pennsylvania to assist any way they can with the recovery.
*Note: The campaign goal (dollar amount) may change to more or less than the original goal depending on the level of coverage received from their health insurance company and whether or not Becca needs surgery or any other treatment. We will be updating as soon as possible. Updates can also be found here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/eutermoserfamilyblog
*AS OF 10/5/2018 THIS IS THE ONLY GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN AND ONLY FUNDRAISER APPROVED BY BECCA AND DREW. If you see any other Gofundme campaigns or fundraisers that state the money will go to Becca and/or Drew, please contact Gofundme immediately.
As we face life halfway across the country (she’s in California while I remain in Minnesota), we stay in touch almost daily. She informed me of her fertility appointment as she and her husband Drew were hoping to add to their family. On September 27th, 2018, I, along with our friend Leticia received a text message from Becca stating she found out from her fertility doc that she has a 2.5 cm prolactin producing benign macroadenoma after a series of blood work and an MRI. I remember reading that trembling. Since then we found out that it’s actually non-prolactin producing. There are a lot of unknowns. Here’s what we do know so far, little more than a week since she sent me that text:
*There’s a 90% chance that it’s non-cancerous (thankfully). We’re hoping it stays that way and no new tests reveal anything cancerous.
*Some of her peripheral vision might be compromised because...
*The 2.5 cm brain tumor is compressing her optic nerve, which her endocrinologist says could cause permanent damage including loss of vision.
*We don’t yet know how fast the tumor is growing. Which is one reason why...
*Surgery is highly likely at this point. But not a definite. Her endocrinologist stated that he will be referring her to neurosurgery once her vision test results are in.
*Becca also has a Protein S deficiency which means she has an increased risk of developing blood clots adding to her concerns during and after surgery.
*Due to the location of the tumor (on top of her pituitary gland, invading her sinus cavity), it’s possible that not all of it is going to be removed during surgery. If that’s the case, radiation therapy might be used to shrink the rest of the tumor.
*Recovery from the surgery itself is expected to take approximately 6 weeks. Recovery from radiation doesn’t have an exact timeline because we don’t yet know if or how much of the tumor will not be removed during surgery or if radiation will even be prescribed.
As life is, many things are unexpected. There’s more obstacles that Becca and her family have been battling. First, they’re running into challenges with their health insurance coverage. Also, her 4 year old son Adrian (who was born prematurely at 28 weeks) has ADHD and is undergoing growth hormone therapy . Due to the care Adrian requires, no daycare facilities Becca interviewed this past summer were able to enroll him meaning Becca stays home to care for him. Adrian has surgery scheduled next month (November 14, 2018) to correct his bilateral extropia (eye misalignment). The expected recovery is 3 days. In addition to all these health challenges, Drew is facing health challenges of his own and was on short term disability leave from work when Becca was diagnosed with the tumor. He is still on leave but anticipating his return to work any day now.
Maybe you’re like me and you’re wondering what you can do to help. As you can imagine, with everything going on all at once, finances can be even more stressful. Here are some tangible needs arising out of this situation that this fundraiser campaign would assist in covering:
*Whatever meds, equipment, or anything their insurance informs Becca that they won’t cover.
*Transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, school (for Phae), and necessities like groceries while Drew is at work. This is because of possible sudden complications that can occur with the tumor making driving unsafe for Becca.
*Someone to act in the capacity of a PCA to help during Becca’s recovery by assisting in the household tasks Becca and Drew do on a daily basis. Laundry, general cleaning, food prep/cook meals, and caring for Becca, etc.
*Grocery delivery service (or above).
*The occasional baby sitter to watch Adrian and/or Phae when Becca does have doctor’s appointments or needs time to complete certain tasks before and after surgery (again if surgery is necessary).
*This is my own add on but I figured this adorable family has gone through enough with more to come. Christmas is coming right around the corner and I feel they deserve to be overwhelmed by the goodness of their family and friends. They’re going to be more than thrilled with having each other and their bond at the end of this long, arduous, journey but there’s something about the Christmas season that puts miracles on display and instills a renewed sense of hope and optimism.
Let’s show our cherished friends Becca and Drew the light at the end of the tunnel by being that light. Money isn’t the only or even the best way to show your care. I will be updating the address for the P.O. Box as soon as Drew has it set up. Cards and/or letters of encouragement, etc. will be greatly appreciated.
P.S. Additionally, I know this is a long shot but if you or anyone you know works for an airline and can assist with discounts or stand by flights, that would help immensely as Becca’s mother (and friends who volunteer) will need to fly to California from Minnesota and Drew’s parents will need to fly from Pennsylvania to assist any way they can with the recovery.
*Note: The campaign goal (dollar amount) may change to more or less than the original goal depending on the level of coverage received from their health insurance company and whether or not Becca needs surgery or any other treatment. We will be updating as soon as possible. Updates can also be found here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/eutermoserfamilyblog
*AS OF 10/5/2018 THIS IS THE ONLY GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN AND ONLY FUNDRAISER APPROVED BY BECCA AND DREW. If you see any other Gofundme campaigns or fundraisers that state the money will go to Becca and/or Drew, please contact Gofundme immediately.
Fundraising team (3)
Mercedes Wilson
Organizer
San Francisco, CA
Drew Eutermoser
Beneficiary
Balance Delirium
Team member
Rebecca Eutermoser
Team member
