Christy Harrelson is an energetic mother and grandmother who absolutely loves Halloween.
Her home, located at 1905 Lakewood Avenue in Lake Waccamaw, is decorated with pumpkins, hay, cobwebs, and even a clown or two in honor of her favorite holiday. She has always made costumes for her family, and enjoys seeing her friends and neighbors dressed in their Halloween finest. She loves attending all the trunk-or-treats and fall festivals she can, and giving out candy to trick-or-treaters no matter their age.
“It’s a crazy holiday. It’s just something I enjoy,” she said.
So, when Harrelson found out she was having brain surgery on Oct. 29, she decided even that wouldn’t stop her from doing what she loves the most.
A case of COVID leads to a life-saving diagnosis
Harrelson had COVID-19 in July, and like most who contract the virus, she quarantined for the required 14 days. On day 13 however, she woke up feeling very odd and immediately thought she may have been having a stroke.
A trip to the emergency room eased her fears, and she was told to go home and rest because what she seemed to be experiencing was post-COVID related symptoms.
“I was dizzy and sick. Sometimes my balance was so off, I wasn’t able to walk,” she said.
Two days later, Harrelson woke up with a completely numb tongue.
This time she contacted her primary care doctor who suggested an MRI. The MRI led to a trip to Duke University Hospital where she received an astonishing diagnosis: Chiari Malformation with Syrinx.
Chiari Malformation is a condition in which the lower part of the brain, called the cerebellar tonsil, herniates down through the skull and into the spinal canal. The herniated tissue blocks the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Instead of moving in an easy pulsating movement through the opening, the fluid begins to force its way through, like a water hammer, pushing the tonsils down even farther. The blockage can cause a buildup of fluid in the spinal cord or in the brain.
In Harrelson’s case, she basically has a huge abscess from the bottom of her cerebellum that extents down her spinal cord.
Chiari Malformation is not a common disease. The odds of having it are slightly less than 1 out of every 1,000 people. If left untreated, it can cause fatal hydrocephalus, a misshapen skull, and mental impairment.
Since the diagnosis, Harrelson says that life has not been normal for her at all. She hasn’t driven in over a month, and she’s not able to get out and enjoy doing the things she normally does this time of year with her family. She has days she can’t walk, and she suffers from severe headaches. She even has a weight restriction when it comes to picking things up.
“I can’t even lift up my grandbaby and love on her like I want to,” Harrelson said.
Early Halloween for Harrelson
Even with her surgery looming this coming Friday, Harrelson has decided that she will absolutely not miss her favorite holiday.
“So, everyone knows that I absolutely LOVE Halloween… literally to the point of my daddy didn’t think I would even have my surgery this weekend because I wouldn’t want to miss it. And he’s right, I don’t want to miss it, so I’m not going to, sort of.
“I’m gonna have Halloween here at my house on Tuesday night. I’m gonna turn on my carport light, sit in a chair with a bucket full of candy, and hope some little kids come by to trick or treat. So, if you have some kids, dress them up and try out their costumes lol and come see me Tuesday night. Some parts of this process I can control and some parts I can’t, this is one part that I’m choosing to take control of,” she said in a Facebook post.
Harrelson said the post is not limited to just children under 12 years old. She invites any and all ages to trick-or-treat tonight at her home. She has a table set up with large buckets of candy, and Hugs juice drinks in anticipation of costumed visitors.
“Chiari has taken so much from me. I’m not letting it take this away from me,” she said.
The best route to reach Harrelson’s home is to take a left off of Lakeshore Drive onto Birch Street. Take a right off of Birch Street onto Lakewood Avenue. Her home is the first house on the right, at 1905 Lakewood Avenue, Lake Waccamaw.
