To my family, friends, and anyone that has come across this post I want to thank you for reading and considering to give during this challenging time of my life. ♥️

At the age of 14 I was diagnosed with migraines, they were pretty typical and nothing concerning—I would have normal check ups with my neurologist and went on my way.

Over the years things have progressively gotten worse, I’m one to mask pain and show up no matter how hard it feels. About 5 years ago I was referred out to a new neurologist hoping we can get the migraines under control, there was concern for strokes considering my symptoms, (loss of vision/feeling in my body, confusion, etc).

We started new treatment, it seemed to help, my symptoms were manageable, and didn’t interfere with my daily life or activities. I would have follow up appointments every 6 months to check in, everything was fine…until it wasn’t.

About a year ago or so my medication began to stop working, I’ve been on every migraine medication possible hoping we could find the right fit…we did until my body began rejecting the medication leading us down a possible dark road at the time.

I then started NEW treatment (October 2024) hoping and praying I would have relief, symptoms would be managed, and I could go back to somewhat of a normal life.

Unfortunately all treatment has failed leaving my doctor with high suspicion that more is happening than just your typical migraine. My symptoms have significantly increased over the past couple of weeks, loss/blurred/double vision, severe pressure within my head, increased migraines, etc. leaving me in the ER and unable to fulfill my daily life duties and going to work which I love the most because of the debilitating symptoms and the risk of completely losing my vision.

I’ve been in close contact working with my neurologist the last week to figure out our next steps, more tests and MRI’s are scheduled, and I’m waiting to be sent out to the Mayo Clinic here in Arizona. There’s concern and high suspicion of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, (Pseudotumor Cerebri) it’s a rare brain disease that mimics a brain tumor but a tumor isn’t present.

It’s essentially when too much CSF fluid builds up around the brain, skull, and spine resulting in the symptoms I’ve been experiencing, there’s risk of losing my vision since the fluid and pressure hit the optic nerve of the eyes. With how severe my symptoms have been, my doctor has put me on medical leave and cannot determine a time on when/if I can return.

This is where things have gotten complicated, since I’ve been forced to be placed on medical leave by both my doctor and HR department, my company isn’t able to offer me any type of short or long term benefits except unpaid medical leave and the risk of losing my job through this process. I’ve been forced to place my career and passion on hold as a Registered Behavior Technician, and schooling for this upcoming summer/fall. With the uncertainty of not knowing when/ if I’ll be able to return to work, it’s left me in a hard financial position since I was not expecting the unexpected.

I’m not the person to typically ask for help, and I’m beyond understanding that times are extremely difficult for so many that you may not be able to give financially and that’s okay.

If you can’t give, then all I ask from the bottom of my heart is to share my story, to stand in faith with me believing in healing and wisdom for my medical team, and to keep me in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

Much LOVE and appreciation,

Katie♥️