Support Elyse's Journey to Healing

My name is Elyse and I have been diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma in January of this year after an MRI for migraines. My primary doctor ordered an MRI after my migraines were increasing in frequency and symptoms, which revealed a 2.2cm benign mass just above my pituitary gland. The next few months were spent trying to find a variety of specialists - neurosurgeon, ophthalmologist, endocrinologist, and neurologist. After sitting on months on waiting lists for various doctors, I have finally found my people - a wonderful endocrinologist and ophthalmologist in my area, and a specialized neurosurgeon about 3.5 hours away at USC's Keck Medical Center in Los Angeles. The tumor is putting pressure on my optic nerves and impacting my peripheral vision, as well as pushing on my pituitary gland and causing my hormones to become imbalanced. The only way to fix all of this is surgery.

I will be having an endoscopic transsphenoidal craniotomy at USC at the end of August - essentially, surgery via my nose to remove the tumor. I will need to stay in the hospital for 3-5 days, if all goes according to plan. During this time, my husband, father, and kids will be staying in the neighboring hotel. After I am released from the hospital, I will be able to travel home. I will need to be seen again at 10 days post-op. If all goes according to plan, I will only need virtual follow-up visits after that. I will need to be off of work for at least 6 weeks, possibly more, depending on if I have complications or my hormones need work to stabilize.

Any money from this will go straight toward paying for the hotel stays, gas for travel, food, and medical bills. Anything is appreciated and I hope you know I am so incredibly thankful for anything.