A Mother’s Battle: Overcoming Brain Aneurysm

Story

Hi, my name is Mahailee Cruel. I unfortunately got devastating medical news recently. In March 2025, I rushed to Malta Med Emergent Care due to me losing vision in my left eye during a migraine episode. They did a full work-up, which included a CT with IV contrast. There was an incidental finding on the CT of a communicating artery brain aneurysm about 2.8mm in size. Given my symptoms at the time, they were concerned about a brain bleed. I rushed to Albany Med ER to have an MRI done and then be seen by neurosurgery. Thankfully, the MRI showed that the aneurysm was still intact. I went home and waited for my follow-up visit with the neurosurgeon. I went to my appointment on May 12th with high hopes of them just wanting to do an angiogram to get a better look at it, and that it would just be monitored given the fact that for the most part, I am a healthy 26-year-old. My angiogram procedure was on May 28th. After the procedure, the neurosurgeon came to discuss the results with me and my mother. The angiogram showed that it is actually 4.1mm in size and is in a tough position and abnormal shape, so the “less invasive” ways to treat it were not an option and they have to do open brain surgery to be able to treat it, which will leave me with a titanium plate and screws to hold the piece of skull in place for the rest of my life as well. This news has shattered my world into pieces before my eyes. I will be hospitalized for up to 5 days after the surgery if everything goes without complications. I will also need to be out of work for 3 months as well. I am a mother of two of the most beautiful, smart, bubbly, strong minded(like their momma) little girls, Jayla (5y) and Jakyia (3y). Over this past year, I have built myself from the ground up to move out of my mother’s house, being on my own. For the first month I was in my new apartment, I slept with my bed on the floor and just my TV. I just finally felt like I was back on my feet and now I’m going to lose it all.

Between medical expenses, co-pays, rent, groceries, and travel expenses due to not being able to drive after the procedure, I don’t know how I’m going to do it all. My surgery is scheduled for June 23rd, 2025. I am now left scrambling trying to figure everything out on my own, but I can’t do it on my own. I am asking for help with whatever you possibly can & will be grateful for any and everything. Thank you so much, and I appreciate the time you took to read this. If you aren’t able to donate at this time, even just a repost/share could go a long way and would be greatly appreciated!

Organizers :

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