Laura Tinning Reister Brain Surgery Fund

Hello friends.  As many of you know, my younger sister Laura Tinning was diagnosed with brain cancer 11 years ago on July 28, 2007.  On August 13 of that year, she had a complete resection of her tumor by an amazing neurosurgeon named Dr. M. Gazi Yasargil.  He is affectionately known as "The Professor" and is widely considered to be the father of brain Microneurosurgery.  He developed both the instruments and the techniques needed to perform such intricate procedures.  He is of Turkish descent but practiced in Zurich for many years.  In Europe, however, there is a mandatory retirement age for surgeons and he retired there in 1993.  He may have retired in Europe but was not done performing miracles.  He came to the U.S. and ran a neurosurgical residency at the University of Arkansas Medical Center.  Through a series of miraculous events, Laura was able to become his patient in Little Rock  just a couple weeks after diagnosis. At the time he was 82 years old.  And he saved her life.
 
Fast forward to today.  In September, Laura had her routine MRI and it showed some spots that were possible for reoccurrence.  She sought advice from various surgeons and had a second MRI at the end of November.  Laura has new tumor growth and in addition to that has two cysts that have been growing somewhat rapidly that have started to cause her some significant numbness and weakness on her left side.  She has now been advised to have surgery as soon as she is able.  Her scans have been sent to a number of surgeons and institutions around the country and world.  And understandably, she sent them to Dr. Yasargil in Turkey.  He is no longer performing surgery but is very strong and has all of his faculties at the age of 93.  He and his team have been very involved in Laura's case from day one and Dr. Yasargil wants her to come to Turkey to have surgery, which would actually  be done by his protégé, who practices there under his watchful eye.  In addition, Laura's neurosurgeon in Michigan who originally sent her to Dr. Yasargil the first time also believes that going to Turkey under The Professor's guidance would give her the best chance at another good outcome.  Much thought and prayer and medical input has gone into this decision, but Laura has decided that she wants to be under the care of Dr. Yasargil again.  And I don't blame her.  We all trust him and his judgement.

So, Laura needs to get to Turkey rather quickly and is in the process of preparing travel documents and plans, etc.  The only drawback is that regular insurance doesn't cover one choosing to have brain surgery in Turkey.  The surgeon's fees are going to be waived (which is a tremendous blessing), but that leaves travel expenses, hospital stays, anesthesia, various medications, nurses, etc. that still need to be payed for.  In addition, there is no way of knowing yet how long she may need to remain in the hospital after surgery or in Istanbul for rehabilitation.  Laura and her husband Wade had both recently come back to Michigan after having lived in both Alabama and Virginia over the last two years.  Laura had been in the process of interviewing for new jobs when the MRI results came in.  But she is currently unemployed.  So now they are faced with a major medical situation and a large sum of money needed in order to see it through.  We have been told that the medical fees for the things listed above will be upwards of $50,000 or more.  We have faith that the Lord will provide and make a way.  It is difficult and humbling to have to ask for help.  But we ask that you prayerfully consider donating.  Any and every donation is so incredibly helpful.  We appreciate and cherish anything that you may be able to give.  

With much love and gratitude,
Jean Tinning Virkus and Family