Surgery in LA

As many of you already know on Feb 6th I had gotten a really bad headache that left me feeling sick.  The headache continued for days. Multiple doctors’ appointments left me no better.  In mid Feb I finally got into a Neurologist. In the meantime I had been bedridden, not eating or drinking much and needless to say losing a lot of weight.  The Neuro immediately suspected a spontaneous dural leak.  Multiple MRI's were ordered which gave them nothing to confirm their diagnosis.  After the doctor exhausted all his efforts we finally got into a Neurosurgeon at KU.  At this point it is now early March.  I am still very ill and bed ridden and am unable to care for my children or attend any of their events.  After multiple new tests were ordered a positive leak was confirmed in my upper back!  This was a huge relief to feel like I wasn't going crazy, that something indeed was actually wrong with me.  Four blood patches were preformed to stop the leak over a month long period.  None of them were successful.  In the last week of March I sent my medical records and images to a Dr. Schievink in Los Angeles.  Justin had read that he is the expert in this field in our country.  The only other option left in Kansas City was surgery.  The only reluctance we had here was that our doctor, although a great surgeon, had not done but a couple surgeries related to spinal leaks.  The LA doctor called to say he reviewed my info and said I have an extensive leak.  He suspects it may be in the front of my spine.  He can only confirm this by doing a special test called a Digital Subtraction Mylegram that you have to be put to sleep for.  Once confirmed the only way to stop it is bu doing spinal surgery.   Justin and I are headed to LA on April 19th.  We are looking at buying one way tickets last minute there and back since we're unsure of our return date.  We will have to rent a car and a hotel for the duration of the stay which appears to be a minimum of 10 days.  Our wonderful mothers will stay and take care of our three children.  This long road ahead has me terrified and already missing my kids.  It will be hard to be so far from my family during this time. My road has been long and rough.  I know my condition is not life threatening but it has taken from me everything that I love, the ability to be a mother.  If you choose to donate to us to help pay for some of our expenses, we'll be eternally grateful.  We have been blessed with so many of you supporting us already through these last two months, we could never thank you enough!

God Bless you all!
Yvonne and Family