In Support of Urgent help needed to save Leah's Life

Thank you so much for those of you who have reached out, donated, and been praying for me.

I created this fundraiser to help me cope with some of the life-threatening challenges I am facing due to Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS). This genetic connective tissue disorder affects my entire body. While I might look okay on the outside, I'm fighting an exhausting, invisible battle to survive. Now, I am preparing for critical, life-saving surgeries in Stamford, Connecticut. Without these surgeries, I will die. I have already used up all of my family's savings and my paid time off trying to manage the debilitating symptoms if this condition.

For additional details about my medical surgery conditions feel free to ask: Your contribution will directly help cover travel and accommodation costs for me and my family to Connecticut.  We will be driving for surgery with Dr. Constantino in Connecticut due to the fact airplane flying would cause too much pressure in my head and immediate death.  The surgeons have told me to prepare for 7-10 days of being in Connecticut to ensure no post surgery complications occur.

For those of you who know my story.  I will keep it short.  I have met with over 40 different doctors within the past 4 years in 4 major health care organizations including Mayo Clinic.  All while my symptoms continued to worsen and noone did the correct test to show what was wrong.  Out of anger I sent my records to the University of Minnesota.  The process which normally takes 18 months to get surgery has been progressively sped up as all of my testing was done by August 6th.  Thr neurologist was originally scheduled in may and then moved to october and then moved to august 28th because i wont be alive by the other dates.  Dr. Cha thr nurologist at the u of mn has said my case is the worst they have ever seen and they diagnosed me with eagle syndrome, and severe bilateral jugular compression.  This is preventing my brain from getting good blood and in some head position no blood at all.  This is causing a toxic mess in my head causing major brain damage, risk of stroke is massive and I have been having seizures.  With the eagle syndrome my own bones in my body are stabbing my brain causing massive head pain, disorientation, Dissociation and many other symptoms.  The jugular compression has led to damage of my jugular valve and now has a 4 second reflux (blood going backwards).  Anything over .5 seconds is considere bad and causes damage and eventual perforation of the jugular vein.  I have been told to prepare for the possibility of being med flighted from MN to CT by low flying helicopter to make it to surgery before I die.

 I have also been diagnosed with severe thoracic outlet syndrome on the left side which is compressing the artery in my arm which causes loss of limb.  Additionally I have superior mesenteric artery syndrome which prevents blood flow from getting to my small intestine and has led to abdominal organ compensation.  The severity of my vascular compression disorder is at a very extreme level to the point where I cant walk, drive, or do other activities of daily living alone.  The Brain and neck surgery will come first and then a plan will be developed to address the other compressions and rule out tethered cord syndrome of the spinal cord.

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