Connie's Story
Chapter 1
In 1986 Connie was a beautiful 25 year old woman planning her upcoming wedding. She was raised in a large family and looked forward to having the same with all the love and chaos that would bring. However, she started having severe headaches, and a doctor’s visit confirmed the worst: a massive inoperable brain tumor. Her medical outlook was grim. Major brain surgery relieved the pressure and gave the doctors a biopsy of the tumor. They determined it was an oligdendroglioma and said the average life expectancy was 3 to 5 years. With unshaken faith she recovered, married, and returned to her work as a dental technician. With anti-seizure drugs and MRI tests every 6 months, Connie moved on with her life. After 8 years the tumor remained stable. The doctors were puzzled. A reexamination of the old biopsy showed a misdiagnosis of the rare tumor. It was a neurocytoma, rare benign tumor. Prayers answered.
Chapter 2
In 2006, 20 years after the initial discovery of the tumor, a routine MRI revealed that the tumor had changed: it had become ‘hot'. It was growing rapidly and blocking fluids. The increased pressure was causing severe problems. The surgeons could not remove it without devastating results. They tried to alleviate the pressure with a shunt device. At first it seemed to work, but a week later it failed. Over the next 5 months Connie underwent 9 more surgeries. Each failed. The surgeons had only one option left - they had to try to remove the tumor to save Connie’s life. With her unshaken faith and determination, Connie has endured years of painful rehabilitation. Today she has lost the use of her left arm and leg, is wheelchair bound, and needs 24-hour care. With her close family, her faith in the Lord, and her "bull in a china shop" attitude, Connie is more determined than ever to get back on her feet. Insurance covers about 80% of her medical and rehab costs. Her 24 hour care is not covered. Connie would greatly appreciate any help and prayers. Thank you and may God bless.
The Family of Connie Battistella Nelson
If you would like to help offset the cost of Connie’s care and help get her back on her feet, a benefit account has been set up in her behalf:
Benefit for Connie Battistella Nelson
c/o First Niagara Bank
5075 Broadway
Depew, New York 14043
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Name ________________________________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________City ___________________ State ______ zip _________
Phone number ________________________ email ___________________________________________
The Family of Connie Battistella Nelson
If you would like to help offset the cost of Connie’s care and help get her back on her feet, a benefit account has been set up in her behalf:
Benefit for Connie Battistella Nelson
c/o First Niagara Bank
5075 Broadway
Depew, New York 14043
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Name ________________________________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________City ___________________ State ______ zip _________
Phone number ________________________ email ___________________________________________