Our family is preparing for another difficult week as we travel to Colorado for our daughter Athena’s fifth major surgery. Athena is only 3 years old and has already faced more medical challenges than most adults. She was diagnosed with Chiari malformation type 1, which has caused her severe sleep apnea, swallowing issues, headaches, and a syrinx on her spinal cord—a condition that can lead to a range of serious problems.

In May 2024, Athena underwent decompression surgery where part of her skull was removed. This helped improve her sleep apnea and some symptoms, but the syrinx remained and continued to grow. In February 2025, she had a spinal cord detethering procedure to help the flow of spinal fluid, but unfortunately, the syrinx is still getting bigger. Now, we are preparing for another surgery on March 18, 2026, where doctors will reopen the incision on the base of her skull from her decompression surgery to check for scar tissue that might be blocking the flow of spinal fluid and remove it if needed. Athena has also had to undergo other unrelated surgeries in her short life, making this her fifth time facing the operating room.

Previously, all of Athena’s surgeries have been in New Mexico but her neurosurgeon relocated to Colorado so we have to go there for the surgery.

During this time, Athena needs both of us close by. The hospital only allows one parent to stay overnight, so my husband and I will need to find a place for the other to stay each night. I’ll be out of work for a whole week, and the extra expenses for hotel and food are more than we can manage alone. Your help will allow us to stay close to Athena, reduce stress, and focus on her recovery without worrying about falling behind on bills.

Thank you for helping us be there for Athena. We will make sure she knows how much she is loved by you all.