Shaby's Brain Surgery & Recovery Fund

Dearest friends & family,

We are humbly asking for your support on behalf of our beloved Shabnam as she undergoes treatment and surgery to remove an epidermoid brain tumor.

Since this January, Shaby has been experiencing excruciating electrical shock pain in the trigeminal nerve running through her lower left jaw, along with facial spasms and seizures. We hoped the upset was temporary, triggered by a more controllable factor. Unfortunately, a recent MRI confirmed a large tumor in Shaby's brain stem.

The good news is that the tumor is benign. The bad news is that, due to its particularly complicated location, the tumor is encircling and pushing against delicate nerves and blood vessels in her brain stem. If untreated, the tumor will progressively cause irreparable damage to her nervous system, motor skills, and other functions. Surgery is required for its removal.

Just a few days ago, Shaby received news that her neurosurgery has been scheduled for April 18, 2023 - 3 weeks away. The day-long operation will be an intricate one, requiring the surgical team to enter her brain from behind the left ear while avoiding damage to critical nerves, vessels, and hearing functions. We are hoping the surgeons can remove the entire mass in one operation to avoid any follow-up surgeries and/or further complications.

Following the procedure, the neurosurgeon estimates a week-long recovery at the hospital, potentially another week of intensive in-patient rehabilitation, and 3 months of at-home recuperation during which she will need attentive care.

We are all optimistic that the surgery will go smoothly, and Shaby asks that no one worry about her through this trying time, but we do have a long road ahead full of unforeseen costs and challenges. Anyone who knows Shaby will be familiar with her huge heart and kind soul, and also her hesitation to ask for help or handouts.

So, on her behalf, we're hoping to raise funds that will help offset Shaby's medical expenses and the financial burden on her family as they take leave from work to travel to New York and be by her side during the surgery and recovery period.

Please keep Shaby in your prayers. We're grateful for any donation you're able to make. You can also help Shaby during this challenging time by supporting her fragrance brand and labor of love, Kismet Olfactive.

We appreciate you taking the time to read and share this. Let's get Shaby back on her feet again and back to doing what she loves most—creating beautiful fragrances for the world to enjoy.

We thank you so very much for your love and support.