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620923 tn?1452915648

Yesterday was 1 yr since we lost a friend~~~~

Hi all, for those that are new to Chiari and may not be aware and for those that have the memory of  a light that still shines as bright as the day she fought for Chiari awareness.
- Kelly Morrill's greatest accomplishment was in the day-to-day strength, courage and faith she displayed in her life and the way it inspired and lifted everyone she met.

She was a fighter, with a positive attitude and she had a strong belief in God. Morrill
did everything she could to live by the Savior's teachings and to help ease the burdens of those she came in contact with -- regardless of how she was feeling.

Remembering one strong willed and determined lady who has inspired so many chiarians to forge on.
11 Responses
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4816750 tn?1368804670
I didn't have the chance to meet her.  If I did it was by chance.  Prayers for such a wonderful woman.  Just from what you say it would have been a pleasure to have known her.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
OMG! just now saw it is 2010 october post... cant believe  that nearly 4 years have passed on since kelly morril chose to rest.,and still we keep reading from people who post here  for the first time saying neuros say*chiari wont cause problems*.

wish in future there is more immediate recognition of chiari as a potential cause for neuro problems  and people are not branded as hypochondriacs  and  asked to run around

...praying that kelly oversees and blesses in spirit.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
.It really feels sad when we read that good people like kelly are gone to be with God.May her  soul RIP.

@niksterrific.

yup  any surgery scares the person who has to undergo .However hard others try to strengthen .. focus more on the positives ...i would say avoid reading too much negative stuff on the internet., becoz it is individualistic and  everything can never be applicable for others .

Best of luck for your surgery.
Helpful - 0
999891 tn?1407276076
Wise words as usual from Selma our cyber Mom lol

You are not alone, I have not had surgery because of other complications in my spine but I have met many here who have successfully undergone surgery and are enjoying life.
Unfortunately most move on from MH as they get well.

We will be thinking of you and sending loads of good vibes your way :)  
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

I know this is a scary treatment...but the alternative can be as scary and cause more issues then having the surgery....

The issue is not if you can deal with the pain and symptoms but if you have a CSF obstruction which can lead to paralysis...

Kelly allowed surgeries to "test" how they could help others  her story is not typical of having surgery....

Plus this is why I feel it is important to know ALL related conditions B4 surgery as they can and will affect how you feel and heal post op.

It is becoming more evident that those unDX'd with EDS prior to surgery will not fare as well as those that are.....Drs need to use tissue from the patient to help avoid rejection and patch failure...

And having the right Dr is key...the Dr must be well informed on ALL related conditions....and well experienced too.

I had surgery 5 yrs ago, and I do not regret it one bit and if I had to do it again, I would....I know I  had one of the top Drs for Chiari and related conditions and I have confidence in him and his ability....

Recovery can be slow and those that choose to do too much post op too soon can develop set backs...we need patience and we need to listen to our bodies as to when we are ready to do things...general guidelines are just that general and guidelines...not something you can follow  exactly...so be patient...and relax...

Aww where did you attempt to  reach others....I am always here...and more then willing to offer insights and help....you are not alone and if you were not scared I 'd be worried for you....I was scared too...but as I said I did well and am doing well 5 yrs later. <3
Helpful - 0
10459091 tn?1410324823
Hi Selma;

My name is Nicole, I have recently been diagnosed with Chiari Malformation.  I was diagnosed on Aug 8/2014, and will be having the surgery sometime this month.  I am terribly afraid.  I had no idea just how serious this condition is and the surgery, well, I just don't know if I should go through with it or not.  I have been living with my symptoms for so long, that the pain and discomfort I feel on a daily basis, is normal for me, in fact, until recently, I had no idea that most people don't have headaches every single day of their lives.  I know that I should not dwell on the scary aspects of the surgery and recovery process, but it is beyond my control at this point.  Maybe just some words of comfort and support would help me out right now, I have tried to contact others who have been through this, but no one has responded to me, which is only making more scared.

Thank You,

Nicole Gilmour
Calgary, AB
Canada
Helpful - 0
620923 tn?1452915648
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi...yes, her death was Chiari related....I am going to paste part of her obit here-


That is how Kelly's husband, Robert Morrill, summed up his wife of 20 years. Kelly, 44, died on Oct. 10 from complications of Arnold Chiari Malformation, a condition in which brain tissue protrudes into the spinal canal. The condition, which affects approximately one in 1,000 people, manifested itself in Kelly in 1983, said her husband, but she didn't get a formal diagnosis until 1991.

"When I met Kelly there were some health issues, but we didn't know exactly what," Morrill said. "She had been given a tentative diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Kelly had been having neurological symptoms since about 1983. Things like numbness, severe headaches, dropping things, insomnia, slurred speech and sometimes brief periods of what I call near-paralysis."

A few months after being diagnosed, Kelly would undergo the first of 18 surgeries related to the condition. Some of those surgeries included removing a portion of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain. Others included adding steel rods to help hold her head erect. On one occasion, she suffered a nasty bout of meningitis after surgery and was flown to a hospital for treatment.

What I do remember about Kelly is she agreed to be a guinea pig of sorts....allowing her drs to test new theories on her so it may help others.

"selma"
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Avatar universal
Could I ask the cause of her death?  Was it Chiari relaed?
Helpful - 0
1372734 tn?1309950237
Such a beautiful lady Im sad I never got the pleasure to share things with her with our chiari family.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends who had the pleasure to be part of her life.

Niki
Helpful - 0
997898 tn?1303734864
where haaas the time gone.............
Helpful - 0
999891 tn?1407276076
Thanks for posting this Selma. Gosh how the year has flown past.
Kelly was indeed a shining light for CM sufferers......

It was Kelly's passing that prompted some members here to set up a group called Kelly's Dream dedicated to Kelly and her life ambition to raise Chiari Malformation Awareness. With Selma at the helm we got an online Newsletter up and running, we call it Brain In The Neck. We have taken a brake for the summer months but would like to get it up and running again soon.
http://brainintheneck.blogspot.com/

Ray
Helpful - 0
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