I am trying to help Peggy Poole (one of my dearest friends) raise money to help with the expenses she is encountering. She was diagnosed with Meningioma located in the right sphenoid cavity from behind the right eye into the cranium. Encased in sensitive nerves that affect both eyes, the pituitary gland, and the internal carotid artery. She has experienced a 50% vision loss in her right eye.
Currently, she is in treatment for fragmented radiation with a total of 28 sessions to complete. Treatment is at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge, 5 days a week. Radiation was chosen over inter-cranial surgery to debulk the tumor in hopes that such risky surgery can be avoided. Debulking surgery on part of the tumor was done in February through the nasal passages to remove some pressure on the optic nerves in hopes of stopping any further vision loss. Radiation is supposed to stop the growth of the tumor, not make it go away. Many future MRIs will be needed to keep watch even after radiation treatments are over.
Travel expenses are costly, 5 days a week, plus future follow-ups, check-ups, and diagnostic testing. She is currently not able to work due to daily treatments and travel. Medical bills from December diagnostic tests, February’s surgery and hospital stay, plus the current expense of radiation treatments and travel of 300 miles round trip 5 days a week, have greatly accumulated. Radiation should be complete by June 30th. Reassessment appointments and testing will follow. Travel is costing $500 a week, with 3 weeks left, plus $8k in surgery and hospital bills.
