Hello family and friends!

On March 10th of this year, I left work early to go to an appointment with an otolaryngologist. I was experiencing blurry vision that had been getting worse for weeks and was getting to the point where I was no longer comfortable driving. I was sure that after many recent colds and a weird flu which was diagnosed as a sinus infection in September, that my sinuses were backed up and pushing on my optic nerve. The ENT reported that there were no sinus issues affecting my vision, and I was referred to an ophthalmologist as well as a neurologist. After around 36 scary, confusing hours of waiting, I found myself admitted to an observation unit at Froedtert hospital. A neurologist came by my room in the middle of the night to tell me that they had found the cause of the vision loss. An MRI had detected a 1.5cm benign ‘colloid cyst’ in my brain, deep in the foramen of monro. It had grown large enough that fluid could no longer drain and was building up, putting extreme pressure on my optic nerve. They told me that the only option was to remove it surgically and that this should happen either that same day or the next.

Although it was terrifying to learn that I would need brain surgery when I thought I just needed a sinus drain, the neurology team seemed confident, and we were reassured. I ended up having surgery on Thursday the 12th. A craniotomy to remove the cyst, and insertion of an external drain, in case my brain didn’t resume normal drainage of spinal fluid. The surgery went smoothly with no complications! I had been admitted to the neurology ICU and was closely monitored to see if my brain would start to drain fluid on its own. Unfortunately, my intercranial pressure would climb every time they blocked the external drain. They told me that I would need to have another surgery the following Thursday, the 19th, to insert a shunt. A shunt is an internal drain bringing fluid from the brain down to the stomach. The flow can be controlled by changing the setting with a magnet on the outside of my head. The second surgery was completed, again thankfully no complications, and I was sent home the following afternoon. I went back to the emergency room at Froedtert after 3 days at home because I was worried that pressure was building. They opened the shunt to let a bit more fluid drain out, and I’ve been feeling a lot better.

The last 3 weeks have been a blur in which time has gone by way too fast and way too slow at the same time. It’s been scary, then hopeful, then scary again, always crazy and confusing. I have gotten by thanks to overwhelming love and support from family, friends, colleagues, and hospital staff. Julio and I will be doing everything we possibly can to catch up after these 3 weeks (so far) that I’ve been unable to work at either of my jobs. I am starting this gofundme because I’ve been asked a few times if I have one. I don’t like to ask for help but with weeks out of work plus this looming hospital bill, we would be more than grateful for any and every bit of assistance.

Thank you for reading❤️