Help Laurel

The story of our mom does not begin at one place, or at one moment in time. She is a brilliant retired RN with 30+ years of caring for others, who is deserving of a little care and a lot of love from us all now. For all those who are blessed to know her, she is a dynamic woman composed of equal parts kindness, compassion and humor. The past 5 years have been a real struggle, as deep clinical depression set-in, and no medications seemed to be making an impact. Little did we know that there was another cause for her cognitive and physical difficulties. On March 11, 2017, we were finally able to get her in for an MRI of her brain, and we were immediately sent to the emergency department at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. It was there that we were finally given an answer. The scan showed a tumor of the pineal gland (near the top of the brainstem in the center of the brain), that was causing obstructive hydrocephalous (a partial blockage of the brain's fluid system, leading to increased fluid/pressure in the brain and symptoms of dementia and imbalance/gait problems). She had her first surgery a few days after admission into the hospital, and she will need a second and far more complicated surgery in order to have the tumor completely removed. This surgery is scheduled for May 3rd.

Not only has this been emotionally and physically devastating for her, there has been a great financial impact as well. She has been unable to work for about 5 years now, and disability income is very short-lived when it was thought to be just from psychiatric issues. Any donation would make a huge impact to relieve some of the financial stress of the medical bills to come from neurosurgery and rehabilitation efforts. 

Thank you all for your support, and we will keep you updated on caringbridge (https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurelgrimes) 
the best we can on how to possibly help if able, and her treatment/recovery process!

Lots of love,
Kai & Tess