Hey there, I’m Rivka, 28 year old with an incredible 1 year old son—Aiden, a loving fiancé—William, and our fur baby Luna.

I was diagnosed with a rare, non malignant tumor (1 in 3 million) in the dead center of my brain years ago, and have had yearly and bi yearly MRIs to monitor the progression and my symptoms. It can grow to eventually cause hydrocephalus blocking spinal fluid from flowing, which is fatal. During this journey, I have had 3 neurologists move out state on me and finding a neurologist or a neurosurgeon that even knows about this type has been difficult on it’s own. I suffer daily headaches, migraines, memory issues, vision issues & much more. It’s hard to explain in full because this has been my normal for so long. Usually I just try push through them, be strong, don’t talk about them and worry about my day to day life with this lingering in the back of my mind. But the fake it til you make it method has not been helpful or tolerable and within the last two months my symptoms have progressed in full force.

it has now grown significantly to where I need a craniotomy to remove it. This is a very serious surgery, with many risks. But a risk of not taking it out can offer a fatal result as well. I’m lucky to have a neurosurgeon now that has done some of these surgeries in his time, when many have not even heard of it to begin with. My surgery date is October 5th.

we are lucky and thankful that my fiancé will be able to take off some time with me during and after my surgery. However, money will be tight, as he is the only income for our family since I had Aiden in 2020.

we are not ones to ask for help, and I actually have not spoken openly about my health situation except to family and a few friends. However it has come time to have this surgery. I will be in ICU for at least a week and possibly rehab after for speech therapy, physical therapy, etc.

** Any amount donated will help rent, bills, (as it’s looking that Will is not going to receive full pay while he is out taking care of me during recovery and he could be out longer than his leave will allow), and it will help keep food on our table and essentials for Aiden, and any medical bills that the hospital won’t help with.**

If you’re unable to donate, I completely and 100% understand but if you could just send some positive vibes and comfort to my family I would be eternally grateful!!

I love you all, xoxo.

Rivka