Kelly Gemmell's PledgePage
Hello and thank you for taking the time to review my site and hear my story. I am a 30 year old mother to a beautiful son, Jalen. Jalen is my inspiration and my main reason for obtaining health.
I went to see my family practitioner in March of 2006 because I thought I had a sinus infection. I had a constant pressure in my head along with migraines. My doctor said it's time we have a CT performed to figure out what is going on. The CT came back abnormal, (please see the CT scan listed under MRI scan). My doctor ordered an MRI the next day. The results came back and he said I had a cyst on my pineal gland measuring 1.4 X 1.4 cm. He said it was nothing to worry about though and that pineal cysts were common and he did not feel that was causing the pressure in my head or the migraines.
With the help of my dear friend Lynn in Reno, and my family, we began doing our own research. I read many forums and heard stories by other individuals that had been diagnosed with a pineal cyst and been told the same thing, this is not the root of your symptoms. Each success story I read stated, "Do not take the first doctors word for it, they are not educated completely in this field yet...don't give up and keep looking until you find a doctor that understands the pineal gland and will help you!" So, that's what we did. We got three different opinions and they all had the same result, "this cyst is not linked to your migraines."
I finally found a girl named Brittney on a forum that had just went through brain surgery to have her cyst removed. She had not had a migraine since the surgery. She said, "Be proactive, keep looking for a doctor that will listen." I over- nighted my MRI's to Brittney's doctor in NY. The next day the office called to tell me that I was a candidate for surgery and we scheduled the surgery date that week.
Thanks to Lynn, we found the Skull Base Institute in L.A. which was much closer -(skullbaseinstitute.com). Dr. Shahenian is a confident, educated, successful surgeon. I would recommend him to those that are walking this same path.
I had another reason to have this surgery performed, besides the migraines and daily pressure. I had experienced two seizures. I did not want to constantly worry about having a seizure while driving or worse, with my son in the vehicle.
The way I felt on a daily basis was not a quality of life anyone should have to deal with.
My surgery was performed on August 27th, 2006 in L.A. by Dr. Shahenian. The cyst was removed successfully! (Please see picture's of the cyst if you'd like).
I am starting this pledge page today because we found out after months of trying to find out answers, my insurance company is not going to cover the costs that we originally understood they would cover.
I appreciate first and foremost, you reading this story. The main message I am trying to share is that pineal cysts, although fairly common, can grow to a certain size and become symptomatic. My original Neurologist at UDUB called me after I notified her of the outcome of my surgery. I expressed to her that my doctor in L.A. felt that my symptoms were caused by the cyst and that he reassured me that I should be feeling much better now, which is the fortunate truth. =) My doctor at UDUB thanked me for opening her eyes and inspiring her to research the pineal cyst more in depth. She said she will think twice with her next pineal cyst patient. This is the mission I have, to create awareness in the area of pineal cysts. The second current mission is to raise funds to pay for my doctors bills from the surgery. My doctor submitted a $60,000 claim in which my insurance approved an amount of just under $3,000. I would appreciate you sharing this story with anyone who may be suffering from a pineal cyst or may feel the desire to help.
You can also check out Kelsy's story at http://kelsy.pledgepage.org/
Kelsy found me on a forum last year after my surgery. She had a pineal cyst as well and just went through surgery from Dr. Shahenian to have it removed. She is another success story and inspiration for us all!
Thank you!! XO Kelly
PS - Please read the press release if you'd like more information.
I am a survivor - just like Kelsy is! I am here to help, comfort, and share so please contact me if you have any questions.
I went to see my family practitioner in March of 2006 because I thought I had a sinus infection. I had a constant pressure in my head along with migraines. My doctor said it's time we have a CT performed to figure out what is going on. The CT came back abnormal, (please see the CT scan listed under MRI scan). My doctor ordered an MRI the next day. The results came back and he said I had a cyst on my pineal gland measuring 1.4 X 1.4 cm. He said it was nothing to worry about though and that pineal cysts were common and he did not feel that was causing the pressure in my head or the migraines.
With the help of my dear friend Lynn in Reno, and my family, we began doing our own research. I read many forums and heard stories by other individuals that had been diagnosed with a pineal cyst and been told the same thing, this is not the root of your symptoms. Each success story I read stated, "Do not take the first doctors word for it, they are not educated completely in this field yet...don't give up and keep looking until you find a doctor that understands the pineal gland and will help you!" So, that's what we did. We got three different opinions and they all had the same result, "this cyst is not linked to your migraines."
I finally found a girl named Brittney on a forum that had just went through brain surgery to have her cyst removed. She had not had a migraine since the surgery. She said, "Be proactive, keep looking for a doctor that will listen." I over- nighted my MRI's to Brittney's doctor in NY. The next day the office called to tell me that I was a candidate for surgery and we scheduled the surgery date that week.
Thanks to Lynn, we found the Skull Base Institute in L.A. which was much closer -(skullbaseinstitute.com). Dr. Shahenian is a confident, educated, successful surgeon. I would recommend him to those that are walking this same path.
I had another reason to have this surgery performed, besides the migraines and daily pressure. I had experienced two seizures. I did not want to constantly worry about having a seizure while driving or worse, with my son in the vehicle.
The way I felt on a daily basis was not a quality of life anyone should have to deal with.
My surgery was performed on August 27th, 2006 in L.A. by Dr. Shahenian. The cyst was removed successfully! (Please see picture's of the cyst if you'd like).
I am starting this pledge page today because we found out after months of trying to find out answers, my insurance company is not going to cover the costs that we originally understood they would cover.
I appreciate first and foremost, you reading this story. The main message I am trying to share is that pineal cysts, although fairly common, can grow to a certain size and become symptomatic. My original Neurologist at UDUB called me after I notified her of the outcome of my surgery. I expressed to her that my doctor in L.A. felt that my symptoms were caused by the cyst and that he reassured me that I should be feeling much better now, which is the fortunate truth. =) My doctor at UDUB thanked me for opening her eyes and inspiring her to research the pineal cyst more in depth. She said she will think twice with her next pineal cyst patient. This is the mission I have, to create awareness in the area of pineal cysts. The second current mission is to raise funds to pay for my doctors bills from the surgery. My doctor submitted a $60,000 claim in which my insurance approved an amount of just under $3,000. I would appreciate you sharing this story with anyone who may be suffering from a pineal cyst or may feel the desire to help.
You can also check out Kelsy's story at http://kelsy.pledgepage.org/
Kelsy found me on a forum last year after my surgery. She had a pineal cyst as well and just went through surgery from Dr. Shahenian to have it removed. She is another success story and inspiration for us all!
Thank you!! XO Kelly
PS - Please read the press release if you'd like more information.
I am a survivor - just like Kelsy is! I am here to help, comfort, and share so please contact me if you have any questions.