Della Neal

Hello My name is Della Neal

My journey with meningioma brain tumors started 18 years ago in March 2008. I was working at Southwest Elementary School and had picked up my girls Mariah and D’Anna from the same school. We were on our way to Collierville, traveling to Rossville when I missed my turn to King Temple COGIC church.

I began to shake immediately in my mind I began to tell God that I believe that I was having a seizure or a stroke. I asked Him to help me stop my truck and began pulling off the highway.  My truck shook until it stopped. I told Mariah who was about 10 years old to call her daddy and I was able to tell him where we were and what had happened.

When he finally arrived I jumped out of the truck and went over to the passenger side. He asked me what did I want to do. I said I guess I should go to the emergency room and see what’s going on. So he took me to Baptist East Hospital. They took me straight back and ran test. The test showed that I had a seizure and a brain tumor and I stayed through the weekend with more tests. .

On Monday, Dr Fernandez came in and confirmed that it was a seizure and I had a tumor so I agreed to have it removed. 

 After surgery I was paralyzed on my left side. I couldn’t move, turn over, walk or anything. So I had to go to Baptist Rehab where they got me in some therapy. I remember laying in bed one night and I said to God, “Father I stretched my hands to thee no other help I know” and I flipped over in bed. I continued therapy until I was able to walk on a Walker. After going to out patient therapy I had to have a brace put on my left leg and walked with a limp and never did get to walking. I came home with  a wheelchair and Walker. Had to go through radiation and chemotherapy too. 

Well in 2020 a tumor came back and I had it removed at Methodist Central Hospital down town Memphis it was benign my left side mobility was not good I was walking on my Walker at home and using my wheelchair when I went to church and the doctor. My family has begun to wear down helping me shower dress and in and out the bed and the car or van

 I was told in October 2025 when I went for my MRI that the tumor was coming back but it was small said Dr Michael but on February 28, 2026 I had used the bathroom and reached for the bar to pull myself up and my right side from my knee down to my foot went out like I was having a stroke. I fell. So my husband took me to Methodist Germantown Hospital they admitted me ran all kind of tests then released me to Baptist Rehabilitation Hospital where I couldn’t walk, dress myself and I couldn’t used the Walker anymore. The Rehabilitation sent me home with an electrical wheelchair and a hospital bed. I found out that the tumor had grown so when I got out of the rehab I went to see Dr Michael again he sent me to get another test where they checked the veins to see if the blood flow was good and it was. I asked him what was we going to do about the tumor he said it was benign and he wanted to treat it with radiation this time. 

 So I’m in a wheelchair where my family has to help me in and out of the bed, shower, car etc. We went looking for a van that my wheelchair can fit. We found one but this is why I’m reaching out for help we can’t afford what I need to be safe and comfortable and insurance does not cover accessible vehicles. 

 We’re trying to to raise 20,000 please Help Della Ride Safe and Comfortably. 

 Donations are eligible for tax deductions. 

 Thanks for your contribution with helping Della Ride Safe and Comfortably again. 

 My family and friends are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a catastrophic illness. I have chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.

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