UPDATE 12/20/16:
(new information included)
As most of you know Sarah has been battling medical issues lately.  On Monday, November 7, 2016 she was admitted to the hospital and after testing, the doctors found a golf ball sized brain tumor in her right parietal lobe.  On Friday, November 11, 2016 Sarah underwent brain surgery to remove the tumor.

The surgery was successful, and after spending five days in ICU she was transferred to a new hospital for cognitive, occupational, and physical therapies. After two weeks there she was discharged to go home with the order to attend out-patient therapy three days a week.

After her release from the hospital, she has spent her time recovering, going to therapy, and attending many, many doctor’s appointments. Sarah has been diagnosed with a rare form of Multiple Sclerosis called Tumefactive MS. This means she has the same potential challenges any other MS patient faces, but with the additional concerns of reoccurring brain lesions.  The lesion that was removed during the brain surgery was a result of Tumefactive MS.

Multiple sclerosis is a potentially disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). In MS, the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers nerve fibers and causes communication problems between your brain and the rest of your body. Eventually, the disease can cause the nerves themselves to deteriorate or become permanently damaged.

Sarah had a recent appointment with a neurologist who specializes in MS.  She has found a doctor she likes and trusts, who took the time to review all her scans with her and answer questions. Unfortunately, at that appointment she was informed that she does in fact have three other lesions on her brain. They are smaller in size than the lesion removed during her surgery.  One is on the right, the same side as the one removed, and the other two are on the left. Along with her new doctor, Sarah has decided to aggressively fight the growth of these additional lesions with drug therapy.

Sarah is still attending out-patient therapy three days a week.  And though, things are progressing well, she is still struggling with every day functions you and I take for granted.  She has a long road to recovery but we know that she is stubborn, strong, and dedicated to improving.  This page is setup to help alleviate the financial strain caused by this illness so Sarah can dedicate her thoughts and energy to recovering and trying to return to a normal life.

Please donate what you can to help our friend.  She is an inspiring woman who is teaching us about strength, perseverance, and optimism in the face of a life-altering disease.

Thank you.