Three months ago, life changed dramatically for 39-year-old Leslyn Richmond when she experienced severe headaches, numbness in her head, and a high fever.
Assuming it would pass, Richmond, a mother of eight from ‘C’ Field, Sophia, tried to rest. However, upon waking, her condition worsened. She lost sight in her right eye, which closed and has remained shut since.
Richmond visited the nearby Sophia Health Center, where she was given some tablets and eye drops. She was advised to return if there were no improvements within a day.
Following this advice, she went back, but was then referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Eye Clinic. After ruling out issues with her eye, she was asked to leave her details and wait for a call.
During this time, Richmond experienced more headaches and fever, prompting her to be rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Accident and Emergency Unit.
She was admitted, and a series of tests, including a CT scan, were conducted.
It was later recommended that she undergo an MRI. The MRI results revealed that Richmond had a cerebral aneurysm.
“They read the results and said the blood vessel was swollen, affecting one of the eye nerves, which caused the eye to shut down,” Richmond told the News Room.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a brain aneurysm—also known as a cerebral aneurysm or intracranial aneurysm—is a bulge or ballooning in a blood vessel in the brain.
Richmond was then referred to the Neurosurgery Clinic, where she was advised that she needed surgery. However, she was informed that the procedure could not be performed locally and would require traveling overseas.
“That was when I learned that Georgetown Public Hospital cannot perform the surgery… They said they don’t have the necessary equipment,” Richmond said.
The cost of the surgery is $7 million and must be done as soon as possible due to severe swelling and pain.
“Soon as possible because the swelling and pain are intense,” Richmond said.
Unable to cover the expense, Richmond is pleading for public assistance.
“My husband and my eldest son are the only ones working, but they don’t earn much, so we haven’t been able to raise any funds yet. I need to find the $7 million from scratch. I’m pleading with the public to assist me and pray for me,” Richmond told the News Room.
Since her diagnosis, Richmond has had to rely on her family, particularly her two daughters, who care for her daily.
“Life is complicated now; I can’t really do anything… I depend on them. They say the blood vessel could swell and burst, causing bleeding, which would be very dangerous,” she explained.
Richmond can be reached at 610-5427 and 689-1261. Donations can be made to bank account #4463787831421684.
