Valery Ypma Needs a Wheelchair Van and Home Renos
Donation protected
Our Val the Gal (Valery Ypma) needs your help.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
In the summer of 2019, after playing soccer with some of her family members, Valery (25 years old) noticed a heaviness when she walked and a weakness growing in her left leg. After seeing a specialist to try to find out what was wrong, her leg continued to get worse. When she returned to the specialist for a follow-up, she could no longer walk on her own and relied on crutches. The doctor was shocked to see how much had changed in just 6 weeks. Valery had gone from what was thought to be drop foot to pretty much no use of her leg. The doctor did another nerve test and found no nerve conduction in her left leg. He immediately arranged an MRI (regular and contrast). Within 2 hours, Valery was told she had a tumour in her spinal cord causing the paralyses to her left leg. That day (Monday), we took her to the emergency department at University Hospital in London, Ontario. She had surgery 4 days later, to remove as much of the tumour as was safely possible.
The surgery was followed by inpatient rehab for 3 weeks where she made much progress. When the pathology came back, we were informed that the tumour was cancer. After a visit to the cancer clinic, a plan to fight the cancer was put in place. Valery had 30 high dosage radiation treatments on her back and head (an extra MRI showed cancer cells and unexplained fluid in her head). After her treatments were over, Valery was able to hit the gong at the hospital to tell everyone her treatments were done.
Valery was doing well with her recovery, until March (2020) when she was hit with shingles and a drastic drop in her hemoglobin. At one point her hemoglobin had dropped dangerously low. Two units of blood seemed to perk her up. Weekly blood work was ordered to monitor her blood. Another problem arose. Valery started having a problem with her vision where her left eye would not track and she was having double vision.
This past fall (2020), Valery developed a large blood clot in her right leg (her good leg). She was put on blood thinners and had to take needles in her belly for a week.
In November, extreme head aches began with no way of relief and Valery could not longer read. After a trip to her eye specialist, it was discovered that both eyes were having difficulty tracking and there was a lot of unexplained pressure in her head. A new medication was given that helped to alleviate the headaches, but this was just a temporary fix.
Now, Valery and her family have noticed that her left leg had begun to lose some of the mobility she had gained back. She was also experiencing lower back and hip pain, making walking and other movement difficult. On December 18, 2020, she had her routine MRI in which it was found that the tumour in her spine was showing growth. With her blood showing signs of improvement, Valery and her doctor decided to begin Chemo. This involves pills for 5 days and then off for three weeks. Blood work and doctor meetings will continue to take place each moth. This is expected to continue for a full year.
During the last couple of months, Valery's ability to walk with her walker, get from her wheelchair into the van seat and just taking a bath have become very, very difficult to the point that she needs physical help from her parents. The back and hip pain and also the loss of leg mobility are a big part of this problem.
On January 27, 2021, Valery had surgery to put a shunt into her brain to relieve the extreme pressure (exact surgeon's words) from her head.
At this time, Valery's family is asking for funds to purchase a wheelchair converted van and a bathroom renovation to install a bathtub more suited to her abilities. Having these items will help Valery and her family with going her to medical appointments and having Valery be able to bathe easier and privately.
From quotes we received, the wheelchair van can cost is about $60,000 and up depending on availability. The bathroom renovation should be about $15,000.
Through all that has happened with Valery, she has been very optimistic and trusting in her Saviour Jesus Christ. Both Valery and her family know that He is carrying them through this journey. God is good all the time! All the time God is good! Amen!
Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
In the summer of 2019, after playing soccer with some of her family members, Valery (25 years old) noticed a heaviness when she walked and a weakness growing in her left leg. After seeing a specialist to try to find out what was wrong, her leg continued to get worse. When she returned to the specialist for a follow-up, she could no longer walk on her own and relied on crutches. The doctor was shocked to see how much had changed in just 6 weeks. Valery had gone from what was thought to be drop foot to pretty much no use of her leg. The doctor did another nerve test and found no nerve conduction in her left leg. He immediately arranged an MRI (regular and contrast). Within 2 hours, Valery was told she had a tumour in her spinal cord causing the paralyses to her left leg. That day (Monday), we took her to the emergency department at University Hospital in London, Ontario. She had surgery 4 days later, to remove as much of the tumour as was safely possible.
The surgery was followed by inpatient rehab for 3 weeks where she made much progress. When the pathology came back, we were informed that the tumour was cancer. After a visit to the cancer clinic, a plan to fight the cancer was put in place. Valery had 30 high dosage radiation treatments on her back and head (an extra MRI showed cancer cells and unexplained fluid in her head). After her treatments were over, Valery was able to hit the gong at the hospital to tell everyone her treatments were done.
Valery was doing well with her recovery, until March (2020) when she was hit with shingles and a drastic drop in her hemoglobin. At one point her hemoglobin had dropped dangerously low. Two units of blood seemed to perk her up. Weekly blood work was ordered to monitor her blood. Another problem arose. Valery started having a problem with her vision where her left eye would not track and she was having double vision.
This past fall (2020), Valery developed a large blood clot in her right leg (her good leg). She was put on blood thinners and had to take needles in her belly for a week.
In November, extreme head aches began with no way of relief and Valery could not longer read. After a trip to her eye specialist, it was discovered that both eyes were having difficulty tracking and there was a lot of unexplained pressure in her head. A new medication was given that helped to alleviate the headaches, but this was just a temporary fix.
Now, Valery and her family have noticed that her left leg had begun to lose some of the mobility she had gained back. She was also experiencing lower back and hip pain, making walking and other movement difficult. On December 18, 2020, she had her routine MRI in which it was found that the tumour in her spine was showing growth. With her blood showing signs of improvement, Valery and her doctor decided to begin Chemo. This involves pills for 5 days and then off for three weeks. Blood work and doctor meetings will continue to take place each moth. This is expected to continue for a full year.
During the last couple of months, Valery's ability to walk with her walker, get from her wheelchair into the van seat and just taking a bath have become very, very difficult to the point that she needs physical help from her parents. The back and hip pain and also the loss of leg mobility are a big part of this problem.
On January 27, 2021, Valery had surgery to put a shunt into her brain to relieve the extreme pressure (exact surgeon's words) from her head.
At this time, Valery's family is asking for funds to purchase a wheelchair converted van and a bathroom renovation to install a bathtub more suited to her abilities. Having these items will help Valery and her family with going her to medical appointments and having Valery be able to bathe easier and privately.
From quotes we received, the wheelchair van can cost is about $60,000 and up depending on availability. The bathroom renovation should be about $15,000.
Through all that has happened with Valery, she has been very optimistic and trusting in her Saviour Jesus Christ. Both Valery and her family know that He is carrying them through this journey. God is good all the time! All the time God is good! Amen!
Fundraising team (1)
Ron Ypma
Organizer
Woodstock, ON
Kira Weiandt
Team member
