Helping Ryan

We are a family of three, I am a single mom of two little boys, ages 5 and 9. My 9 year old Ryan has chiari malformation. We are in the beginning of a very long process to get him well again. For those of you who do not know what that is, Also known as Arnold Chiari Malformation, this is a benign structural problem affecting the cerebellum. Most children with these malformations who do not have spina bifida will have the form known as type I. Essentially there is extra cerebellum crowding the outlet of the brainstem/spinal cord from the skull on its way to the spinal canal. This crowding will commonly lead to headaches, neck pain, funny feelings in the arms and/or legs, stiffness, and less often will cause difficulties with swallowing or gagging. Often the symptoms are made worse with straining. When the diagnosis is suspected the study of choice is an MRI scan. These malformations are very difficult to see on CT scans and impossible to see on plain x-rays. Sometimes these malformations can be made worse by, or can cause hydrocephalus. In addition they can often lead to fluid filled cavities in the spinal cord known as syrinxes (syringohydromyelia).In general the symptoms of the type I malformations are less severe than that of the type II malformation. Untreated, the chronic crowding of the brainstem and spinal cord can lead to very serious consequences including paralysis. In addition they can lead to the development of syrinxes which may further injure the child's spinal cord and function.There are many ways to treat Chiari malformations, but all require surgery. The basic operation is one of uncrowding the area at the base of the cerebellum where it is pushing against the brainstem and spinal cord. This is done by removing a small portion of bone at the base of the skull deep to the neck muscles as well as often removing a part of the back of the first and occasionally additional spinal column segments. The operation is often modified if there is a syrinx present or if the child has hydrocephalus. Most children who have the surgery do quite well and have an improvement in their symptoms. info came from http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/nsg/PNS/ChiariMalformation.html
Since I am a single mother, I am having to take alot of time from work to be with him. I am asking for your help,so we can at least try to keep a roof over our heads. if you can donate anything, we would appreciate it.
Thank you, and God Bless. Cindy, (ryan's mom)