Debbie's Brain Tumor Fund
Donation protected
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Debbie Gugliuzza. I currently reside in Cranberry Twp, Pa 20 miles outside of Pittsburgh. I am a vibrant woman who loves music, dancing, sports and movies. My passion is music and dancing.
Just a month ago I was blindsided when I found out I have a rare brain tumor called an Acoustic Neuroma that only 13 in 1 million get. There is no medical reason why- they just appear in us unlucky few. It was found by accident on a recent MRI for another health concern, adrenal crisis. The tumor starts in the inner ear, and if left undiagnosed like mine, it grew into the brainstem and can be fatal. I can suffer the residual effects of the tumor removal including balance and walking issues, headaches, vertigo, tinnitus and nausea. The surgeons will have to cut off my Vestibular nerve, which can affect my walking for a while. I will need extensive physical therapy, and eventually the right side will compensate and I will relearn how to walk correctly. I am praying away the surgical side effects of facial paralysis, but worst of all single sided deafness. If that happens I will never hear surround sound or music in stereo again, and evrybody knows how passionate I am about music and movies. I can for the rest of my life be directionally challanged with sound and crowded places will be hard for me to hear in. I am refusing this! Please stand in prayer with me!
I do have health insurance, but as we all know it's limited. I found a terrific hospital, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD, that specializes in removing this rare type of tumor and gives me the best hope for saving some of my hearing and facial nerves, amongst other things. My surgery date is scheduled July 30 2015! There are other health risks like meningitis, spinal fluid leakage, blood clots and death with this 10 hour surgery. Again, I have faith that will not happen to me with all of your prayers! There will be a 10 person team which includes a Neurosurgeon, an ENT Surgeon, a Neurotologist, Nurses, PA nerve and hearing monitors, amongst others.
It is extremely costly for myself, mom, and sister to stay in Baltimore all those weeks for surgery and recovery. There are also so many other hidden costs not covered by health insurance, such as copays and deductibles, medications, hotels and travel, physical therapy accupunture, and massage therapy, to name a few. One of my biggest concerns is the financial stress that will be placed upon my widowed mom and sister. I don't have that kind of money and I don't want them to be stuck with those bills. A surgery like this costs 100,000's of dollars, not to mention aftercare for me.
I believe in my heart that God led me in the direction of fundraising efforts for 2 other charities this past year which netted $30,000. He has prepared me for this journey I must now take.
Lastly, I am strong and I won't question God's will, but I ask for your prayers and support. I will get through this and along the way I will be able to help others. I am already lending a video of my face for scientific studies at Johns Hopkins for them to study residual effects on facial nerves post surgery.
I don't ask why, I have to just accept it. There are worse sceniorios far greater than the journey I am about to go on, but I am still afraid and need your help. I believe in the power of prayer and God's healing power. God doesn't challenge weak people- this has been placed upon me and I am not going to question it. If I can save one person along the way, then I am ok. I have to do this with grace and dignity, and show people healing and miracles do exist! Thank you for reading this and for your continued support and prayers.
From The Heart,
Debbie
Just a month ago I was blindsided when I found out I have a rare brain tumor called an Acoustic Neuroma that only 13 in 1 million get. There is no medical reason why- they just appear in us unlucky few. It was found by accident on a recent MRI for another health concern, adrenal crisis. The tumor starts in the inner ear, and if left undiagnosed like mine, it grew into the brainstem and can be fatal. I can suffer the residual effects of the tumor removal including balance and walking issues, headaches, vertigo, tinnitus and nausea. The surgeons will have to cut off my Vestibular nerve, which can affect my walking for a while. I will need extensive physical therapy, and eventually the right side will compensate and I will relearn how to walk correctly. I am praying away the surgical side effects of facial paralysis, but worst of all single sided deafness. If that happens I will never hear surround sound or music in stereo again, and evrybody knows how passionate I am about music and movies. I can for the rest of my life be directionally challanged with sound and crowded places will be hard for me to hear in. I am refusing this! Please stand in prayer with me!
I do have health insurance, but as we all know it's limited. I found a terrific hospital, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD, that specializes in removing this rare type of tumor and gives me the best hope for saving some of my hearing and facial nerves, amongst other things. My surgery date is scheduled July 30 2015! There are other health risks like meningitis, spinal fluid leakage, blood clots and death with this 10 hour surgery. Again, I have faith that will not happen to me with all of your prayers! There will be a 10 person team which includes a Neurosurgeon, an ENT Surgeon, a Neurotologist, Nurses, PA nerve and hearing monitors, amongst others.
It is extremely costly for myself, mom, and sister to stay in Baltimore all those weeks for surgery and recovery. There are also so many other hidden costs not covered by health insurance, such as copays and deductibles, medications, hotels and travel, physical therapy accupunture, and massage therapy, to name a few. One of my biggest concerns is the financial stress that will be placed upon my widowed mom and sister. I don't have that kind of money and I don't want them to be stuck with those bills. A surgery like this costs 100,000's of dollars, not to mention aftercare for me.
I believe in my heart that God led me in the direction of fundraising efforts for 2 other charities this past year which netted $30,000. He has prepared me for this journey I must now take.
Lastly, I am strong and I won't question God's will, but I ask for your prayers and support. I will get through this and along the way I will be able to help others. I am already lending a video of my face for scientific studies at Johns Hopkins for them to study residual effects on facial nerves post surgery.
I don't ask why, I have to just accept it. There are worse sceniorios far greater than the journey I am about to go on, but I am still afraid and need your help. I believe in the power of prayer and God's healing power. God doesn't challenge weak people- this has been placed upon me and I am not going to question it. If I can save one person along the way, then I am ok. I have to do this with grace and dignity, and show people healing and miracles do exist! Thank you for reading this and for your continued support and prayers.
From The Heart,
Debbie
Organizer
Debbie Gugliuzza
Organizer
Cranberry, PA
