Up until December 16, 2021, I considered myself an incredibly healthy woman.
Being a healthcare professional for over 20 years, the same framework I applied to my clinical practice as a dental hygiene practitioner were the same philosophies that I applied in my life. Movement, nutrition, weight training, sports, hydration, connection, community, family, friends, spiritual and emotional health, mindfulness, and medication were key aspects of my success. I was a 42-year-old independent, energetic, and ambitious, thriving woman. You often found me in the back country, hiking or skiing, or serving my patients, educating and providing care in a career that I loved for 20 years.
This is no longer the case.
This life-changing experience began with the pressing mandates for all regulated health care professionals in BC. I vaccinated ONLY to maintain my livelihood, however, I lost my livelihood and so much more regardless. This was consequently the beginning of a surge of neurological symptoms, and the decline of organ, motor, and cognitive function. Following my first dose, I was sick with extreme dysautonomia and cardiovascular issues. It wasn’t until I didn’t recover from the second dose that I put everything together.
Since January 14, 2022, the need for diagnostic testing, referrals, and medical
consultations has not stopped. From ultrasounds, CT scans, and numerous MRIs, to
bloodwork, x-rays, emergency visits, naturopathic medicine, self-directed medical care, hospitalization, anti-coagulation IV therapy for blood clotting, heart, balances, and vestibular clinics, cystic masses forming on numerous organs, ambulance transports, traumatic brain injury assessments, eye assessment, brain surgery, and above all, advocacy for myself, I exhausted all possible measures in attempting to gain my life back.
The neurological symptoms I suddenly experienced within days of the second
dose prompted a neurology consult and MRI requisition. The initial investigation was for multiple sclerosis, given my presentation. My initial MRI was in February of 2022, and the follow up appointment did not conclude the imaging nor my symptoms to be conductive to multiple sclerosis. The neurologist discussed the presentation of a brain lesion to be associated with post-vaccine, post-viral, and/or chronic migraines, and it was included in my medical records. To be clear, it is well documented that I had no previous history with migraines and no positive COVID exposure until late 2022. As a health care professional, routine Covid testing was mandatory. At this point, I was hospitalized for kidney stones, had vision and cognitive difficulties, and had an ultrasound ordered for liver cysts found on the CT scan, a parietal lobe lesions, and abnormal blood work. This was 4 weeks after my second dose.
In July 2022, with a follow up brain MRI, a pineal gland cyst was found 8 months
after my second injection. A third MRI was completed in November 2022, which
confirmed the findings. I was informed of this by a neurologist in January of 2023. I
questioned the cyst’s association with my symptoms, and why it was not discussed when initially noted in July. I additionally questioned why it formed in the first place. Her comment was that it was not noted on the original radiological report. I questioned the link of the pineal gland cyst with my neurological symptoms. I also questioned the ongoing development of cystic masses. Her only recommendations were to begin a beta blocker to regulate my heart rate, which was dangerously high, and to take the migraine medication prescribed to me, as needed. Within weeks of starting the beta blocker, I spent the next 6 to 8 weeks visiting the emergency room due to the significant increase in cranial pressure, lack of maintaining upright positioning or ability to walk unsupported, and dangerously high, erratic heart rate and blood pressure. There had been little to no support within our community or our Canadian medical system in assisting me to navigate the serious, complex nature of my health condition. I was left with minimal options other than to advocate for myself, seeking out medical attention privately within British Columbia, Alberta, and eventually, the USA.
To date, I have exhausted over $200, 000 CAN to provide insight, diagnostics, and answers. As a result, I am unable to support my family, with the loss of income and my medical bills.
By May 2023, the acceleration of my memory loss, word finding, mental
processing, cognitive function, debilitating head pressure, and vision disturbance were frightening. My independence was vanishing. The Alberta Balance Centre in Calgary, Alberta determined there was nothing wrong at the time with my vestibular system and that my central nervous system was the culprit. Visiting the Heart Fit Clinic in Edmonton, Alberta, it was determined that my microvascular system exhibited that of a 69-year-old. I was 44 years old at the time. Why? Blood clotting? My microvascular system was not supplying the essential circulation and blood flow to my brain. Small vessels were narrowing because of poor blood flow and the inability to pass high viscosity blood, producing the occurrence of Rouleaux formation.
In August 2023, I visited a doctor at MUSC in Charleston, South Carolina. He is
the leading cranial mass neurosurgeon in the US, specializing in brain tumours, with additional experience specific to pineal gland cysts. I provided him with my imaging before November 2022. His recommendation was to have the cyst removed via an occipital craniectomy. At this point, I had to decide on brain surgery or continue to experience my life slipping away.
In October 2023, conversations with a second Canadian neurologist finally
provided me with supporting clinical findings of what I had suspected. He asked when my symptoms started, and I stated after my second dose. He would not speak to the symptomatic cyst; however, he did speak to the impact the COVID vaccine can have on brain chemistry and the lack of understanding as to why this occurs. This doctor published an article last year that outlines his extended research on mRNA analysis of symptomatic pineal gland cysts. At this point, the only solution I had for a fighting chance at life was brain surgery in the hands of a neurosurgeon I trusted. The surgery was scheduled for November 20. The thought of a surgery like that terrified me. Arriving at the last few weeks prior to my surgery, I was willing to exhaust all measures to meet the payment deadline for a version of my life.
The second week of September, I learned how much surgery was going to cost. And it was so unattainable. Then, after dropping my kids off at school one
morning, I realized that I wasn’t seeing out of my right eye. I was shocked. I was frozen. I sat there. I waited. And I heard, inaudibly, yet softly and powerfully, “You must go through with this Michelle, not around it. Not over it, through it. And I’m here with you through.” I managed to make my way home that day, and the answer was clear. There are angels in this world. They walk around you, and you don’t have to look far to see them. They appear in your life. You feel it. Up until just days before the fee was due, I did not have enough to cover the surgery despite all the effort of my community, crowdfunding, and leveraging assets, including my dental hygiene company. My attempts to have the government consider funding it had been denied. So, I signed the transfer papers on my vehicle, Stella Mae, and holiday trailer, Ruby Tuesday. As they took their final road trip to their new home, I cried remembering the memories we made, the stories they held, and the freedom they gave me. But, it was also so clear that they were giving me the greatest freedom of all. I was surrounded with Grace.
In May 2025, I was provisionally approved for a trial period of IVIG infusion
treatment in Canada. The hope is that this will slow the progression and provide pain management for the portfolio of chronic conditions I have now acquired since my COVID injection. These diagnoses include Small Fibre Neuropathy, POTS, Sjogren’s Syndrome (pending a biopsy), Multi-Focal Nervous System Impairment, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Additionally; Symptomatic Pineal Gland Cyst, Small Vessel Syndrome, Vestibular Migraines, Multi-Organ Cystic Masses, and Vision Syndromes with Peripheral Vision Loss. I have experienced both nerve damage and damage to my vascular system, including my brain. A long list of signs and symptoms, and the inability to regulate the autonomic functions of my body. Many of these symptoms continue to this day, with new symptoms appearing.
Life is very different. Recovery is not easy. It’s not linear. It’s fluid. It’s a roller coaster. But, after the brain surgery, most of my symptoms associated with the brain cyst resolved. My life and health are radically different. And yet, I hold onto hope. I am here today to say I survived surgery.
Courage comes from doing what is right, from speaking loudly, and taking action in the face of fear. It requires boldness, and it requires being seen.
Even when courage comes with great reservation, it is a responsibility. Courage does not always feel brave, but it does feel right. And Canadian’s need that voice. Hence, building a community that is unified.
We will be addressing this for the rest of our lives. But, with what Michelle lost, what she has gained is immeasurable. Restored faith, with the feeling of wholeness regardless of her physical brokenness. Determined, Michelle has embraced her new leadership role, becoming a light within the darkness. Bodily autonomy, informed consent, restoring our freedoms, transparency, and protecting the next generation is more crucial than ever. Restoring democracy alongside the Canadian dream.
Adverse reactions to medications and vaccines exist. Speak the truth, even when it is difficult. Ask tough questions and speak even when there is resistance, but deliver the message with genuine care, intention, and integrity. Create meaningful change through conversation. Be fearless. There are many layers of grief in this journey, but I continue to fight. There comes a time in most people’s lives, where there is a pivotal moment that induces change. Whether that time arrives through struggle, crisis, or a yearning desire to discover more, we all arrive here at some point. Vaccine injury was mine. Hard times will arise in this life. We can choose WHAT we do with the hard. Spiritual, emotional, and physical transformation have accompanied my health crisis. I continue to practice the act of gratitude and forgiveness despite the struggle. I have acknowledged the vulnerability of accepting help and the tenacity it takes to never stop seeking. I have travelled the road that leads to acceptance and the map that guides the expression of loss, grief and realization. I am living a new version of life while I continue to navigate and pivot. My vision is radically impacted, my capacity in all aspects dramatically reduced, less pain compared to before brain surgery, but many unknowns. I believe there is purpose in this experience and more serving to be done. I’ll continue to be a trailblazer and a bold leader whose foundation is built with courage, purpose, justice, compassion, and commitment; one who advocates for the voiceless, those suffering. A truth seeker. I still lace up my hiking boots and head to the mountains on better days, although someone else is carrying the backpack now. I embrace what I can do, despite what I can’t. Continuing to strengthen myself physically for this feat. When do people really start to live?
When you are close to dying, they say. Choose to live.
