Zakiya's Battle With A Brain Tumor

Hi everyone!

My name is Zakiya Butler and I’m fundraising for my upcoming brain surgery. Here’s my story…

On July 11, 2017, I learned that I had an 8cm meningioma growing on the left side of my cranial cavity, rooted behind my left eye. For those who don’t know, a meningioma is a tumor that arises from the meninges - the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Although not technically a brain tumor, it is included in this category because it may compress or squeeze the adjacent brain, nerves, and vessels. In my case, given its size, this is exactly what it was doing: compressing both the brain itself and essential nerves, notably those connected to my left eye. The silver lining of this storm cloud of news was that the tumor was grade 1, i.e., the most benign, non-cancerous, type of tumor.

I was immediately admitted to hospital in Nassau, Bahamas but then referred to a doctor in Miami, Florida for further treatment. I traveled to Miami on July 12, 2017, for a consultation with the doctor. As fate would have it, I lost consciousness the morning of July 13, 2017, the day I was meant to meet with the doctor. I was rushed to the hospital, and, thanks to a series of incredibly favorable events, I underwent surgery performed by the very doctor I had been referred to and his team. The surgical team successfully removed a significant portion of the tumor but opted not to go any further as I had tread close to death's door.

For the past five years, I have monitored the remnants of the tumor and it had remained stable, with no growth, until this year. When I did my annual MRI, I learned that the tumor has doubled in size since last year. Though nowhere near the size it was in 2017, in its miniature state, it is touching delicate nerves, notably the optic nerve behind my left eye. It is affecting my vision This is even more important as I am blind in my right eye. The doctors are recommending surgery once again, this time to remove the tumor's portion touching the optic nerve. This will then allow the possibility to do radiation to stunt the future growth of the tumor. The surgery is set for September 2, 2022.

I am a mother to two amazing boys, an asset manager and advisor, a personal trainer, a fitness competitor, and an overall life achiever. While I have faced tough challenges all my life, I have done so with faith, grace, bravery and, most importantly, the support of loved ones. My fight in life is driven by my desire to raise my sons and contribute to all that is good in this world.

I would appreciate your aid and assistance with the cost of my upcoming medical procedures and other recuperation costs.

Help ya girl if you can.