Support Shalyn's Journey to Health and Hope

Hello Family and Friends,

We pray each of you are doing well. We’re reaching out to update you on a situation we are needing prayer, love, and financial support for as the situation is much bigger than originally expected.

For the last year, Shalyn has been struggling with very severe migraines. After trying multiple kinds of treatment, both natural and conventional, it was recommended by her PCP to draw lab work, but nothing significant stood out. To continue to search for answers for a cause for the migraines, an MRI was also ordered in August 2024. The scan came back abnormal, showing atrophy in the cerebellum on both sides (essentially brain mass loss). The abnormal MRI prompted consulting with a neurologist. After months of waiting, Shalyn was able to see the specialist, and they were quite concerned about her progressive symptoms of not only severe migraines but also coordination, balance, and muscle loss, particularly for her age. As a first step approach to try to diagnose what is causing the atrophy, the neurologist ordered some specific lab tests, all of which came back negative. These lab results took months to get back since some were complex, and one in particular was a genetic panel. While it can seem positive that these tests for many autoimmune diseases and other neurological conditions have been negative in results, it stretches out the search for answers, resulting in more loss of time allowing symptoms to progress. Neurology appointments are very booked up, usually taking 2-3 months to get in even as a regular patient, so unfortunately, each time a new appointment with testing between is needed, precious time is slipping away. This waiting game, along with her neurologist exhausting a list of possible conditions, has prompted the need to set up a 10-day visit with the Mayo Clinic. We hope and pray their specialized team can pinpoint what Shalyn has and provide us with a diagnosis and solution for treatment.

Between neurology visits, Shalyn continues to notice progressive symptoms, which now include short moments of dizziness several times a day, trouble swallowing, trouble concentrating and comprehending, and more coordination, balance, and muscle loss.

Shalyn does have insurance, but there are some expenses that are outside of what insurance covers. There are many current and upcoming expenses, including physical therapy for 6 weeks, 2x a week, an upcoming visit to Mayo Clinic for 10 days and the travel expenses and hotel costs associated, plus the time away from work for both Shalyn and Michael, copays for visits, and future testing that may not be covered. This is where we are asking help from our friends, church family, and anyone who feels inclined to contribute to a medical fund to cover these growing expenses. Anything helps and is greatly appreciated. Thank you for joining us in this fight for Shalyn’s health!