She fought hard to get answers.
Now she needs to go back.
Jamie’s CSF leak has returned. The stent couldn’t do its job. She must return to the Mayo Clinic for surgery to repair her skull and restore her life.
A New Leak.
An Unfinished Journey.
You may already know Jamie’s story — the years of mysterious symptoms, the grueling road to the Mayo Clinic, and the remarkable August 2025 surgery that finally sealed her CSF leak after 2½ years of suffering.
But healing was never a straight line.
In October 2025, a new leak appeared. Intracranial pressure readings spiked to dangerous levels — 33.5 with medication, 39 without. A jugular stent was placed in December to help drain excess fluid. But Jamie is still leaking, and that means the stent has not been able to do what it was designed to do.
Her neurosurgeon, Dr. Cutsforth-Gregory — the Department Head of the CSF Clinic at Mayo — has been direct: “We did not anticipate another defect forming so quickly.” And now Jamie must return.
This campaign exists to make that happen.
Leak Found & Sealed at Mayo
Dr. Eide and team reconstructed the cribriform plate at the base of Jamie’s skull. A breakthrough after years of fighting.
Dangerously High Pressures Confirmed
Spinal taps revealed intracranial pressure readings of 33.5–39. Medication doubled to manage the crisis.
Jugular Stent Placed in Minnesota
The team stented Jamie’s right jugular vein to help reduce pressure — but the new leak has prevented it from working.
New Leak Develops
Pressure rises again. A new defect is confirmed. Dr. Eide and Dr. CG align on the next steps: Jamie needs to return to Mayo.
Return to Mayo Clinic
Surgery to repair the new defect in the cribriform plate. Spinal taps before and after. Possible shunt if pressure remains high.
What Awaits Jamie
at Mayo Clinic
Before surgery, the team will measure intracranial pressure to establish a baseline for her brain’s fluid dynamics.
The team will repair the new defect at the base of her skull — the same delicate area treated in August 2025.
Jamie will remain for approximately one week. A second spinal tap will confirm whether pressure has normalized after the leak is sealed.
Depending on results, Dr. CG will either adjust medication — or place a brain shunt to permanently drain excess cerebrospinal fluid.
Jamie’s words: “We know our bodies best, and my only advice through all of this is do not give up and continue to fight through and advocate for yourself.”
Every Dollar Brings Her Closer to Healing
Jamie has fought 3+ years through a rare and complicated condition, navigating misdiagnoses, surgeries, and setbacks with grace and determination. This return trip to Mayo Clinic — flights, lodging, medical co-pays, and time away from work — represents a significant financial burden.
Your donation goes directly toward giving Jamie her best shot at finally living free from this condition.
What your gift covers:
- Travel and lodging in Rochester, Minnesota for Jamie and her support person
- Out-of-pocket surgical and procedure co-pays at Mayo Clinic
- Medication costs during her recovery stay and after
- Lost income and everyday family expenses while Jamie is away