The Save Sam's Brain Campaign

Hello, my name is Cierra. I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to tell you a bit about a good friend of mine, Samantha, a.k.a. Sam-squantch, Sammy, Sam. Sam was pushed to grow up much faster than most people would like to imagine due to a less than ideal homelife. Though I'll steer clear of most of the unfortunate details of Sam's childhood, understand that the determined, hard-working, humble, and genuinely kind person that Sam is, isn't due to an abundance of love and care from the people a daughter would most hope to receive that from. She is 100% self made. Sam still lacks the family support she deserves so as a new mother myself, this brings me to another level of compassion for Sam and her current situation.

The reason we are seeking help: As some of you may already know, after years of debilitating migraines (since around age 12) and other health concerns, Sam (now 22) has recently been diagnosed with a colloid cyst (an extremely rare, deep-seated, slow growing tumor in the brain) by Dr. Engh at the Lexington Brain and Spine Institute in West Columbia, South Carolina. Her cyst is in the third ventricle of her brain - risking hydrocephalus (fluid build-up), unconsciousness, seizures, brain fog, extreme fatigue, memory loss, loss of use of limbs, nausea, vomiting, blurry vision, changes in personality, headaches, drop attacks and sudden death. Colloid cysts are only seen in >2% of the population – it is even more rare to see one manifest in an otherwise healthy young woman.

In late May of 2023 Sam went to the emergency room for symptoms of a concussion and some swelling in her neck and lymph nodes. After a few tests to rule out other causes such as infection, she was sent for an MRI. Review of the scan led Sam to be referred to a local neurosurgeon and later Dr. Engh in South Carolina would give her the life-altering diagnosis. Because of the rarity of colloid cysts (1 in 3 million), there are very few neurosurgeons who specialize in their treatment and removal. At the time of diagnosis, Dr. Engh was optimistic in thinking that Sam could choose to live with the cyst and manage symptoms, or have surgery for removal with a high probability of success. Since diagnosis, her migraines and lightheadedness have been steadily worsening. This has led Dr. Engh to recommend that she proceed with surgery.

On August 31, 2023 Sam made one of the hardest decisions of her life and scheduled surgery for October 12, 2023 at the Lexington Brain and Spine Institute. This was no easy decision as there are always risks associated with surgery, but especially with brain surgery in the third ventricle. With such a major surgery Sam will exhaust all saved sick and vacation leave she has earned with her job working for the State of Missouri and be forced to take leave without pay. After surgery, she will spend 2-3 nights in the hospital and then be moved to a nearby hotel. She is required to stay within a 5 minute radius of the Lexington Brain and Spine Institute for up to 3 weeks post-op to allow for immediate intervention should any complications arise. Needless to say, she will incur travel costs to and from surgery, lodging, meals, all costs associated with requiring a caregiver during the hotel stay, and a majority of all medical bills associated as insurance has been reluctant to offer any promise of help with out of network care.

Sam doesn't like to over-share about any of her own life's struggles, because she'd rather be lending an ear, offering a porch to sit on, shoulder to cry on, or anything else that may be needed to put a smile back on some else's face, so I'm here to try and get her the help she so greatly deserves. All donations, well wishes, and prayers are GREATLY appreciated and will go toward the aforementioned costs that Sam will accrue. If you are unable to donate, please share Sam's story in any way you see fit.