Chiari Decompression Surgery

Hi! Thanks for taking the time to read this. I'll do my best to keep it as short as possible. :)

Nearly two years ago, I was diagnosed with a condition called Chiari Malformation Type I. Never heard of it? Neither had I.

Chiari, I quickly learned, is a neurological disorder where part of the brain, the cerebellum (or more specifically the cerebellar tonsils), descends out of the skull into the spinal area, resulting in the compression of parts of the brain and spinal cord which disrupts the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid (the clear fluid which protects the brain and spinal cord).

In short, my brain is falling out of my head, causing a massive cyst of cerebrospinal fluid to build up - and remain - in my brain and spinal cord. While most cysts are between 3mm - 5mm in size, mine covers half of my brain (on the right side) and nearly the entire length of my spinal cord.

This diagnosis explained the symptoms I'd been having for the last decade of my life and still deal with almost daily: migraines, unexplainable fatigue, extreme muscle weakness in my right limbs, dizzy spells, hand tremors, head pain when I sneeze, and nerve pain in my limbs and back (to name a few).  

On March 31, I'll be heading to CHS Main (in Charlotte, NC) to undergo a neurosurgery called a Chiari Decompression. This surgery will be my second of its type - the first I had in June 2015. Since my condition is so extreme, I need another procedure - something that is not uncommon with Chiari patients. To understand the details of my surgery, click here and read #14.

If Chiari is not treated with this surgery, risks include atrophy of limbs, further nerve damage, disruption of internal organs, and paralysis.

The surgery itself will take around two hours long. After that, I'll be in Intensive Care on the Neurosurgery floor for 24 hours. Once I'm discharged from Intensive Care, I'll remain in the hospital for another two days. The total expected recovery time from the surgery is 8 weeks.

In addition to the stress of this upcoming (and imperative) surgery, the financial pressure is heavy. Although I have health insurance through my job, my out-of-pocket responsibility is $7,500. This will cover my surgery and hospital stay.

I appreciate all thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes during this time! Additionally, any financial assistance - large or small - would be an incredible blessing. If you would like more information about Chiari or my surgery, please do not hesitate to message me. Thank you!