Hanna's Paraganglioma Surgery
Donation protected
Dear Friends and Family:
As some of you may know, my sister Hanna was diagnosed with an incredibly rare Paraganglioma tumor in January. While this came as a complete surprise to us, we have quickly jumped into a plan of attack with the doctors we were referred to at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. This upcoming Thursday (March 9), Hanna will be undergoing a challenging surgery have this Paraganglioma tumor removed.
As eager as we all are for Hanna to finally get this tumor out of her body and for her be back to her normal, healthy, 20-year-old self, we are also finding ourselves in need of significant financial support from those we love to help cover Hanna’s medical costs.
We are asking for $6,000 to cover the remaining costs that have accumulated from Hanna’s out-of-pocket payments for this upcoming surgery, recent medical procedures, lab testing, scans, medications, gas for weekly trips to and from Mayo, etc since the beginning of this year. Additionally, Hanna has not been able to work at all since her diagnosis, per doctor’s orders (both her campus job and her internship) and has been keeping up with her spring semester classes from home remarkably well, despite how chronically tired she has been lately.
As a family, most of you know that we are no stranger to rare illnesses, hospitals and bills – as we walked through terminal cancer with our Dad in 2013. However, this specific journey for Hanna has put a significant strain on us. We would truly be so grateful for any kind of help you may be able to send our way.
I’m sure you have a few questions! We had a million. Here’s what I am more than happy to expand on and talk more about. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask! While we can’t control the trials and hardship we are asked to face in life, one can only hope to help spread awareness and advocacy throughout the journey to serve as some kind of silver lining from it all.
WHAT IS A PARAGANGLIOMA TUMOR?
This Paraganglioma tumor is a rare, neuroendocrine tumor that produces an overwhelming amount of adrenaline constantly flowing through Hanna’s central nervous system. Some of these tumors end up becoming cancerous but fortunately for Hanna, her tumor is non-cancerous.
HOW RARE IS IT?
About two to eight out of a million people will be diagnosed with a Paraganglioma tumor. The doctor that first diagnosed this tumor in Iowa had to actually look up this disease, because this is a condition that many doctors typically never see in their careers. We were then referred to Mayo and we have been so impressed and thankful to have such a skilled and talented team working on Hanna’s case.
HOW BIG IS IT? WHERE IS IT?
Her tumor is approximately 4 cm by 4 cm. This tumor is relatively small (because Hanna is so young), compared to other patients who typically discover their tumors much later in life. The tumor is located near the aorta, in the center of Hanna's body, pushing up against her nerves and is causing deeply uncomfortable side effects.
HOW SICK IS HANNA?
Hanna has been living with serious high blood pressure, heart palpitations, numbness and tightness, dizziness, chronic fatigue, increased adrenaline, anxiety and constant sweating, to name a few of the immediate side effects. She has been dealing with these conditions for several years now, without truly understanding why or how her body was acting the way it was. She has seen so many doctors and has waited so long for a real explanation for her symptoms and to have her healthy, normal body functioning properly again.
WHAT WILL THE RECOVERY PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
Hanna will be at Mayo for about 5-7 days post-operation. Once she is cleared to leave the hospital, she will be recovering at home for a few more weeks. She is eager to head back to Iowa State University and finish up her classes and internship on campus! Hanna will continue to have follow-up appointments every year to regularly check for and treat any additional Paragangliomas.
CAN I GIVE SOMETHING OTHER THAN MONEY?
Yes! Of course! We completely understand and appreciate all forms of love, thought and care from anyone who wants to give. Money is helpful, but so are home-cooked meals and comfort food (casseroles are Hanna’s favorite!), thoughtful cards, texts and calls checking in, YouTube videos of animals that make you laugh, activities to do in the hospital, Netflix recommendations, gas gift cards, sharing this GoFundMe post with people you know and most importantly – prayers, thoughts and good vibes for a successful and safe surgery on Thursday!
Hanna, myself, my Mom and my brother could not be more appreciative and thankful for any assistance you can give us. Time and time again we have learned how important it is to have a community and support system you can count on to get you through the unthinkable. We hope to be able to reciprocate that same support to you. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.
Love,
The Olson Family
As some of you may know, my sister Hanna was diagnosed with an incredibly rare Paraganglioma tumor in January. While this came as a complete surprise to us, we have quickly jumped into a plan of attack with the doctors we were referred to at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. This upcoming Thursday (March 9), Hanna will be undergoing a challenging surgery have this Paraganglioma tumor removed.
As eager as we all are for Hanna to finally get this tumor out of her body and for her be back to her normal, healthy, 20-year-old self, we are also finding ourselves in need of significant financial support from those we love to help cover Hanna’s medical costs.
We are asking for $6,000 to cover the remaining costs that have accumulated from Hanna’s out-of-pocket payments for this upcoming surgery, recent medical procedures, lab testing, scans, medications, gas for weekly trips to and from Mayo, etc since the beginning of this year. Additionally, Hanna has not been able to work at all since her diagnosis, per doctor’s orders (both her campus job and her internship) and has been keeping up with her spring semester classes from home remarkably well, despite how chronically tired she has been lately.
As a family, most of you know that we are no stranger to rare illnesses, hospitals and bills – as we walked through terminal cancer with our Dad in 2013. However, this specific journey for Hanna has put a significant strain on us. We would truly be so grateful for any kind of help you may be able to send our way.
I’m sure you have a few questions! We had a million. Here’s what I am more than happy to expand on and talk more about. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to ask! While we can’t control the trials and hardship we are asked to face in life, one can only hope to help spread awareness and advocacy throughout the journey to serve as some kind of silver lining from it all.
WHAT IS A PARAGANGLIOMA TUMOR?
This Paraganglioma tumor is a rare, neuroendocrine tumor that produces an overwhelming amount of adrenaline constantly flowing through Hanna’s central nervous system. Some of these tumors end up becoming cancerous but fortunately for Hanna, her tumor is non-cancerous.
HOW RARE IS IT?
About two to eight out of a million people will be diagnosed with a Paraganglioma tumor. The doctor that first diagnosed this tumor in Iowa had to actually look up this disease, because this is a condition that many doctors typically never see in their careers. We were then referred to Mayo and we have been so impressed and thankful to have such a skilled and talented team working on Hanna’s case.
HOW BIG IS IT? WHERE IS IT?
Her tumor is approximately 4 cm by 4 cm. This tumor is relatively small (because Hanna is so young), compared to other patients who typically discover their tumors much later in life. The tumor is located near the aorta, in the center of Hanna's body, pushing up against her nerves and is causing deeply uncomfortable side effects.
HOW SICK IS HANNA?
Hanna has been living with serious high blood pressure, heart palpitations, numbness and tightness, dizziness, chronic fatigue, increased adrenaline, anxiety and constant sweating, to name a few of the immediate side effects. She has been dealing with these conditions for several years now, without truly understanding why or how her body was acting the way it was. She has seen so many doctors and has waited so long for a real explanation for her symptoms and to have her healthy, normal body functioning properly again.
WHAT WILL THE RECOVERY PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
Hanna will be at Mayo for about 5-7 days post-operation. Once she is cleared to leave the hospital, she will be recovering at home for a few more weeks. She is eager to head back to Iowa State University and finish up her classes and internship on campus! Hanna will continue to have follow-up appointments every year to regularly check for and treat any additional Paragangliomas.
CAN I GIVE SOMETHING OTHER THAN MONEY?
Yes! Of course! We completely understand and appreciate all forms of love, thought and care from anyone who wants to give. Money is helpful, but so are home-cooked meals and comfort food (casseroles are Hanna’s favorite!), thoughtful cards, texts and calls checking in, YouTube videos of animals that make you laugh, activities to do in the hospital, Netflix recommendations, gas gift cards, sharing this GoFundMe post with people you know and most importantly – prayers, thoughts and good vibes for a successful and safe surgery on Thursday!
Hanna, myself, my Mom and my brother could not be more appreciative and thankful for any assistance you can give us. Time and time again we have learned how important it is to have a community and support system you can count on to get you through the unthinkable. We hope to be able to reciprocate that same support to you. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.
Love,
The Olson Family
Organizer and beneficiary
Rachel Olson
Organizer
Chanhassen, MN
Hanna Olson
Beneficiary
