Shannon's Surgery

Shannon is a tremendous pastor's wife, mother, and woman of God. She is a stay-at-home mom working part-time from home for Kauai Bible Church, doing marketing, graphic design, and website maintenance while also serving the church's women.

Shannon has a rare brain condition called Chiari Malformation, in which the brain sits too low in the skull. When this condition flares up, it restricts the flow of cerebrospinal fluid between the head and spinal cord. The pressure and inflammation cause a slew of neurological issues.

Shannon's condition flared up in February 2021. She has been living for almost two years now with debilitating symptoms: constant headaches and pressure in the back of her head, pain in her neck and back, fatigue, dizziness/lack of balance, muscle weakness, brain fog (lack of mental focus, easily forgets things, says the wrong words, etc.), eyesight deteriorating, lack of mobility in neck, shoulders, and back, trouble swallowing, gait impairment, and more. She does what she can, but these symptoms have severely limited her ability to work, care for our kids, or help shepherd the church family.

The only procedure offered in the United States is an invasive brain surgery with a low success rate. Shannon began researching Chiari treatments worldwide and found a clinic in Barcelona, Spain, that offers a minimally invasive treatment with a track record of success for women the same age and with the same mix of symptoms as hers. Shannon has been approved for this treatment, and we have scheduled her surgery for January 19th, 2023.

Shannon has endured this season relatively quietly, as she does not like to complain or be the center of attention. But she is excited about the chance to live pain-free again and regain full mobility and mental function. She longs to be fully healthy so she can continue to love and serve her family and our church with all her heart and strength.

We will be on the ground in Barcelona for ten days. Her physical evaluations, lab work, and surgery will be in the first two days. One night stay in the hospital is required. Then she will be cleared to travel eight days after the surgery.

With this being an out-of-network treatment, medical insurance will only cover a certain percentage, and our out-of-pocket medical costs will be high. We are fundraising to cover the out-of-pocket medical costs (a minimum of $7,000) and the travel-related expenses ($6,000). Anything you can give to help make this a reality would be a great blessing to us. We also greatly appreciate your prayers for Shannon.