John was born with Chiari Malformation. This is when the brain extends into the spinal canal, causing pressure on the brainstem and spinal cord and blocking the cerebrospinal fluid flow. It was not diagnosed until later in life when his pain and health issues became more extreme. Around 2023/2024, he started having many issues with pain, numbness, sinus pressure, migraines, blurry vision, and the list goes on. He has had multiple surgeries (including his first brain surgery for Chiari Malformation in 2023), physical therapy, follow-up appointments, chiropractor appointments, CT scans, MRIs, and appointments with doctors that just didn't have an answer or their answer was, "You will just have to live with it." Easy words for someone not experiencing the extreme pain. I will include a timeline below of the major procedures (I'm sure I will miss some), but there have been so many visits and bills paid that were basically for nothing. Most weeks, there were a minimum of three doctor appointments.

He finally found a surgeon with some answers. He had a revision of his first Chiari decompression surgery at Vanderbilt on January 23rd. This surgery is designed to make room for the brain. He went back on February 3rd due to complications. He had a small CSF leak and a lot of infection. They went back into surgery on February 4th to repair the leak, wash out the infection, and take cultures. On February 5th, there were still issues with drainage, so a lumbar drain was put in. His cultures also showed positive for a staph infection. After the lumbar drain was not successful, he went back in on February 15th for a 3rd brain surgery in 3 weeks. They redid the graft previously put in and put in a cranial drain to help relieve pressure on the brain and allow healing. He is currently still at Vanderbilt Hospital, currently on day 27 fighting to get better. Even after he is released, he will have to go home on IV antibiotics for at least 6 weeks and will not be able to return to work quickly. He does not have any type of short-term disability income and has exhausted his savings with all of the previous doctor bills. He definitely did not plan on this extended stay at Vanderbilt, and I know he could use some assistance. He is the type of person that does for others, so I feel like God would want us to return that love. Please help him if you can, and share with others. This has been a long road that he is still traveling down.

**Update: John experienced hemorrhaging when his cranial drain was removed. He was put on critical alert and they expected to have to do another emergency surgery, but prayers were answered and surgeons were surprised because the hemorrhaging did not progress. After several days of observation, they allowed him to go home with 24/7 supervision and assistance from home health. Since he went home he has experienced issues with his picc line and trips to local ER and a trip back to Vanderbilt for a CT and new picc line . Thank you for the continued prayers!

**Update 3/6/26: John is working with an occupational therapist and a physical therapist. He seems to get a little stronger each day. Hopefully, soon he will be able to have more balance and stability. He has continued his antibiotics through his IV. Also, he had a follow-up to remove stitches and they said he was progressing well.

A brief Timeline

March 2023: Surgery on sinus cavity due to misdiagnosis

Sept 2023: First Chiari surgery (brain)

2024/2025: Lots of therapy and imaging

Sept 2025: First Chiari doctor said there was nothing to do

Jan 2025: Doctors at UAB told him after lots more imaging that there was nothing they could do

May 2025: Doctor in Decatur basically told him it was just something he would have to live with.

Sept 2025: Facet Joint Injections

Sept 2025: Nerve Ablation

Nov/Dec. 2025: Finally went to Vanderbilt, and doctors were able to clearly see issues from previous imaging.

Jan 2026: 2nd Chiari decompression with dura and shrinking of cerebellar tonsils.

Feb 2026: 3rd Chiari surgery (repair CSF leak and clear out infection)

Feb 2026: Lumbar drain

Feb 2026: Staph infection

Feb 2026: 4th Chiari surgery (repair graft on brain and install cranial drain)

Feb 2026: EVD was removed , experienced hemorrhaging ,

Feb 2026: Issues with picc line