Life Saving Surgery for Chelsea

At 21 I should be having the time of my life, going to classes and exploring the world and accepting every opportunity to do something new. Until recently I was living on campus and doing some modeling but now I’m at home where my mom now has to take care of me because I can’t be left unattended. Not working, she provides all of my daily care now. I can’t even wash my own hair because when I’m upright I have increased head and spine pain, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and have frequent falls and fainting spells. I’ve had several ER visits, admissions and procedures on my brain the past few years and progressively have gotten worse with no real answers. Because I have a complicated health history local doctors and university hospitals are not able to provide the care I need and have recommended I look for care outside the country.
 my freshman year in my dorm just before I really started to decline and had my first major brain surgery.

I have developed Nutcracker Syndrome, May-Thurner Syndrome, and Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. In really simple terms my left kidney vein and left iliac vein are compressed and this results in compromising my entire blood flow. Some vessels are enlarged, like varicose veins but inside the torso. This has led to veins in the spinal canal becoming dilated and this is pressing against my spinal cord. The pressure against the cord causes pressure changes in the spine and brain. Because I only have one functioning internal jugular vein this has now become engorged and the blood flow is obstructed further because of existing stenoses.

In order to obtain the treatment which considers all of my complicated needs, I have to go to Germany. Insurance will not cover any of the expense. We’re trying to raise $60,000 by July 1, 2018 because I have to make a down payment of about $30,000 for the surgery itself and still will have other medical expenses, airfare, room and board costs and the cost for my mom to accompany me. Since my mom is having to care for me she’s not able to work full time. With the decreased income and mounting bills it’s too much for us to handle. My health over the years has eaten away what would have been money for my parents’ future and they’ve been spending it all on bills to give me a future instead.

Without surgery I face potential clots in my left kidney vein and significant irreversible kidney damage. My risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis is high and if I have a piece of a clot and enter my brain it is more likely to be catastrophic. If the veins pressing against my spinal cord continue I face paralysis.
the daily pain I live with as we desperately search for help for me

It’s not the first time I’ve been down this road. In 2011 I was diagnosed with a rare condition called superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS). My health is complicated by a connective tissue disease called Ehlers-Danlos. I went to Germany and on May 16, 2012 I had vascular surgery that saved my life.

What the last six years has shown is that it’s uncommon for someone to have just one of these vascular syndromes. Over the years it made me feel so thankful to be an exception to the rule. Turns out I’m not.

As horrible as my health sounds the good news is I can be helped if I can get to Germany. I’ll have to stay a couple of months to recover and have follow up care until it’s safe for me to fly home. Please help us raise the money needed to send me with my mom to Germany to once again. I’m strong willed and motivated and know that if I can get this surgery I have an amazing future ahead of me!
Because of my surgery in 2012 over 100 lives all over the world have been saved so far and I made medical history.

Whether it’s a dollar donated or a share of my campaign on Facebook or other social media we sincerely thank you for uniting behind me to save my life.

To learn more about me you can check out my Facebook page United Behind Chelsea