A Nelson woman is reaching out in social media in an effort to raise funds for her best friend, a Cranbrook resident, whose failed health is creating financial problems for her young family.

Coral Colgur, formerly of Cranbrook, recently established a youcaring.com page to raise funds for her friend, Brandy Sims and family. The goal on the fundraising site is $5,000 and with 48 days remaining in the campaign, a total of $2,600 has been raised.

The following is Colgur’s plea to the public.

My best friend Brandy Sims, (from Cranbrook) was diagnosed just last month with a rare condition called “Chiari Brain Malformation.”

Chiari Malformation is a condition in which the bony space enclosing the lower part of the brain is smaller than normal. Crowding causes the cerebellar tonsils (lower pieces of her brain) to push through the skull and down into the spinal canal. The herniated tonsils block the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Instead of moving in an easy, pulsating movement through this opening, the fluid begins to force its way through pushing the tonsils down even farther and exerting pressure on the brainstem and spinal cord. When cerebrospinal fluid is obstructed and collects within the spinal canal, it can eventually form a syrinx. This condition, called Syringomyelia, damages the spinal cord.

Symptoms of Brandy’s condition started with pain and weakness in her hands, and have since escalated to severe headaches, numbness in her hands blurred vision at times, and dizziness.

After having both a CAT scan to diagnose the condition, and then an emergency MRI to determine the severity, Brandy consulted with a Neurosurgeon out of Kelowna at which time it was determined she absolutely needed surgery. The goals of surgery are to stop or control the progression of symptoms caused by the herniation of the cerebellar tonsils, and relieve compression of the brainstem. During the “Posterior Fossa Decompression surgery” the surgeons remove a piece of bone (Craniectomy) at the back of the skull and spine to widen the foramen magnum. The surgery is to take about two to three hours and Brandy’s hospital stay will be about four days. Her recovery however, will be much longer. They expect that around the second week of recovery she should be able to stand for about two hours a day.

A young mother to three beautiful children, (seven, almost six, and not quite two years of age) Brandy and her husband James are going to need all the help they can get. James is a hard worker, and will need to continue to work while Brandy recovers from this very serious surgery. They are going to need help with their three children whom are very attached to their mother. For the following three months Brandy will not be allowed to bend to tie up a shoe, unload the dishwasher, fold laundry, or make meals to name just the very basic things. Brandy and James are going to need to hire people for help with childcare; housekeeping; and they will incur costs of travel to and from Kelowna for surgery and follow up appointments with the neurosurgeon. They will need to cover costs for physical therapies in recovery as well as medications, and Brandy will miss time at work.

I am asking, from the bottom of my heart, for any one who can offer any donation (no matter the size) to please do so.

Thank you so very much!

Coral Colgur

For those who prefer to donate by means of a cheque, instead of online, Brandy & James’ address is:

1921-7th St South.

Cranbrook, B.C., V1C4L3

Click here to help

“The most terrifying part of all of this is the thought that I may not make it through to be there for my family. I will do everything in my power to prepare myself and try to be as strong as I can be for this. Though I would appreciate any prayers or well wishing thoughts to help carry me through. Love to everyone.” ~ Brandy Sims –

See more at: https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/lending-a-helping-hand/158167#sthash.xc7tzg8K.dpuf

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