Kim's Medical Bills (Brain Tumor)
Donation protected
Hello Everyone,
My name is Kimberly but you can call me Kim. I am a brain tumor survivor. This is my story… I thought I had the flu, boy was I wrong! I started feeling ill a few days prior to the big event and had symptoms of the flu virus. I had a few days off work to rest but I am a single mom and must work to pay the bills. So, I started back to work on Monday, January 22nd 2018. I went in, still not feeling well, to my boss’s office to talk with her about leaving to go home half way through my shift. I sat down in a chair by her desk and that is all I remember. My daughter said I passed out and they took me to a local hospital. From there I was given several tests to see what was going on. My family arrived to see me at the hospital and the doctors came in to discuss the results and to everyone’s surprise they found a Brain Tumor that was very aggressive. The tumor itself was causing a great deal of pressure on the brain, which then explains all my symptoms blurry vision, numbness, tingling, nausea, weakness, dizziness, and confusion. I was then rush to a specialty hospital because I needed a neurosurgeon to remove the big tumor. When arriving at the specialty hospital I had a seizure due to the increased pressure on the brain. They were able to get it under control and I was placed in the intensive care unit where I stayed for a full week. The doctors proceeded, as you would expect with lots of tests that would help prepare us (doctors, family, and myself) for a life-changing surgery.
After a weeks worth of surgery clearance testing, I was finally ready on Friday, January 26th for the big day (removing the tumor). Surgery took around 6 hours to complete the very risky surgery. Later that night I woke up still pretty out of it from the Anastasia and wasn’t having any of it, so I was told. I was so tired and in a great deal of pain after it happened. My family said they were all there the day of surgery though I do not remember much at all.
A day or so later still in intensive care, I became more wake and aware of what was going on. The doctor (neurosurgeon who did the operation) came to see me while recovering to say it went well and it was not cancerous, thank god. He stated that I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time so that I could get the help I needed. He also said that I would NOT have survived another day or week without proper medical attention. The tumor itself was the size of a tennis ball.
One week after surgery my remaining symptoms were slurred speech, weakness, blurry vision, and confusion. The doctor said it could take up to 6 months to a year before I am finally back to normal but I will never be 100% again because I suffer from nerve damage in my face as a result of the surgery. I was in a rehabilitation facility for about a week to rebuild some independence. I am bound and determined to get back to normal.
I had a two-week follow up with my doctor (neurosurgeon) and they found an infection in my incision they put me on strong antibiotics and removed over 40 staples from my head and put three back because the incision had opened.
By the fourth week out of surgery, I had a follow up with my primary care doctor and told her that my left leg was not feeling right and she had me go for an ultrasound and a CT of the chest. They found blood clots, just when I was starting to feel a little better. My primary care doctor said its better to get this fixed so back in the hospital I go for the next few days.
I have therapy 3 to 4 times a week with follow-ups with doctors and many more tests to go. I am just taking it one day at a time and hoping for the best. I am bound and determined to get through this because I believe that God has kept me here for a reason. I have a wonderful daughter named Amber who still needs her mother. I am very blessed to have such a wonderful support group in my life. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone that has sent best wishes and prayers. I sincerely appreciate it more than you know. If this life-changing event has taught me anything it would have to be never take a single day for granted and live life to the fullest. Be happy, be thankful, let god, and love always.
Thank you everyone for your kindness and support. It means so very much to my daughter and I.
With Love, Kim
(typed by Amber from Mom’s perspective)
My name is Kimberly but you can call me Kim. I am a brain tumor survivor. This is my story… I thought I had the flu, boy was I wrong! I started feeling ill a few days prior to the big event and had symptoms of the flu virus. I had a few days off work to rest but I am a single mom and must work to pay the bills. So, I started back to work on Monday, January 22nd 2018. I went in, still not feeling well, to my boss’s office to talk with her about leaving to go home half way through my shift. I sat down in a chair by her desk and that is all I remember. My daughter said I passed out and they took me to a local hospital. From there I was given several tests to see what was going on. My family arrived to see me at the hospital and the doctors came in to discuss the results and to everyone’s surprise they found a Brain Tumor that was very aggressive. The tumor itself was causing a great deal of pressure on the brain, which then explains all my symptoms blurry vision, numbness, tingling, nausea, weakness, dizziness, and confusion. I was then rush to a specialty hospital because I needed a neurosurgeon to remove the big tumor. When arriving at the specialty hospital I had a seizure due to the increased pressure on the brain. They were able to get it under control and I was placed in the intensive care unit where I stayed for a full week. The doctors proceeded, as you would expect with lots of tests that would help prepare us (doctors, family, and myself) for a life-changing surgery.
After a weeks worth of surgery clearance testing, I was finally ready on Friday, January 26th for the big day (removing the tumor). Surgery took around 6 hours to complete the very risky surgery. Later that night I woke up still pretty out of it from the Anastasia and wasn’t having any of it, so I was told. I was so tired and in a great deal of pain after it happened. My family said they were all there the day of surgery though I do not remember much at all.
A day or so later still in intensive care, I became more wake and aware of what was going on. The doctor (neurosurgeon who did the operation) came to see me while recovering to say it went well and it was not cancerous, thank god. He stated that I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time so that I could get the help I needed. He also said that I would NOT have survived another day or week without proper medical attention. The tumor itself was the size of a tennis ball.
One week after surgery my remaining symptoms were slurred speech, weakness, blurry vision, and confusion. The doctor said it could take up to 6 months to a year before I am finally back to normal but I will never be 100% again because I suffer from nerve damage in my face as a result of the surgery. I was in a rehabilitation facility for about a week to rebuild some independence. I am bound and determined to get back to normal.
I had a two-week follow up with my doctor (neurosurgeon) and they found an infection in my incision they put me on strong antibiotics and removed over 40 staples from my head and put three back because the incision had opened.
By the fourth week out of surgery, I had a follow up with my primary care doctor and told her that my left leg was not feeling right and she had me go for an ultrasound and a CT of the chest. They found blood clots, just when I was starting to feel a little better. My primary care doctor said its better to get this fixed so back in the hospital I go for the next few days.
I have therapy 3 to 4 times a week with follow-ups with doctors and many more tests to go. I am just taking it one day at a time and hoping for the best. I am bound and determined to get through this because I believe that God has kept me here for a reason. I have a wonderful daughter named Amber who still needs her mother. I am very blessed to have such a wonderful support group in my life. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone that has sent best wishes and prayers. I sincerely appreciate it more than you know. If this life-changing event has taught me anything it would have to be never take a single day for granted and live life to the fullest. Be happy, be thankful, let god, and love always.
Thank you everyone for your kindness and support. It means so very much to my daughter and I.
With Love, Kim
(typed by Amber from Mom’s perspective)
Organizer
Kimberly Price
Organizer
Hammond, IN
