Support Tanya's Courageous Recovery Journey

For those of you that don’t know, Tanya was born with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy. Throughout her life, Tanya has shown all whose lives she’s touched the true meaning of courage, perseverance, and strength. As a mother of three and a professional musician turned teacher, she has defied all the odds.

Over the past nine months, Tanya began to develop severe symptoms that were assumed to be the Cerebral Palsy. An MRI at the end of June revealed two facet joint synovial cysts in the lower lumbar spine. Additionally, she was diagnosed with radicular sciatica of multiple vertebrae causing pain past the knee in both legs, severe arthritis of her hips and back, spinal stenosis, and bursitis. Upon further examination of the cysts, doctors found the one on the right side had to be removed immediately because it was causing a life-threatening leak of the cerebral spinal fluid. It also adhered itself to the fecal nerve, which caused weeks of bladder and bowel incontinence.

Tanya had surgery at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center on Tuesday, the 26th of August, to remove the right side cyst, decompress the nerves, and repair the fluid leak. Surgery was successful on all fronts. It remains a possibility that the cyst on the left side will also need to be removed. Doctors are monitoring her condition closely. Tanya is now in inpatient rehabilitation for the next three weeks.

Tanya is self-employed and will not be able to get back to work for a minimum of six weeks, causing loss of income. Recovery can take up to six months. For medical reasons, alterations need to be made to her home to ensure her safety and comfort as she rehabilitates. Medical equipment will also need to be purchased, including grab bar installation. I know that Tanya will appreciate anything you donate to help her recovery with deepest gratitude.