In March of 2025 (after enduring years of ear pain, pulsatile tinnitus, hearing loss, migranes, and other alarming symptoms, I sought out emergency scans. The first facility did a full brain MRI which included my ears and said nothing was fine. “It’s probably just a vein that you’re hearing. But deep inside, I knew something was wrong. A week later we went to RUSH and they quickly identified that I had a very rare (only 43 documented cases of my exact kind) Glomus tumor located in my ear that was extending into my skull/brain. While I was in shock, I was happy to know what was going on, and why my health was declining. Because no one properly diagnosed me from 2022-2025 it gave the tumor a long time to grow and move into spaces critical to vision, balance, and more.

After many visits with the top “Skull Based Surgery at RUSH” team in May I had a session of radiation therapy, an angiogram, and surgery to remove my tumor. Instantly upon waking up- the pulsatile tinnitus was gone! After spending a few days in the hospital I was released home to recover. We also found out that the tumor showed a lot of cancer properties (another rarity with this kind of tumor.) Unfortunately recovery started to not go to plan when over the next couple months I continued losing a lot of hearing in my right ear, and becoming more off balance and even began stumbling/falling. This is when my vestibular dysfunction began increasing. With this kind of delicate skull based surgery when the ear and brain is involved, so much can happen. Both from where the tumor was, and from how/where it was removed.

I got a custom hearing aid and began therapy in July, but every hearing aid was painful (due to where the tumor was) and therapy wasn’t helping too much. And my body was exhausted. While fighting all of this- I was also still receiving treatments for all of my other diseases and disorders. My quality of life started to really diminish. By August we knew that this treatment plan wasn’t working and something had to change. So we repeated my hearing tests which showed a huge decline in my hearing since before surgery, and also right after surgery, This was not what anyone expected. I was sent to Neuroscience and the best Audiology Team through Loyola. They found that I was a perfect candidate for one of their Cochlear devices- The OSIA (Bone Conduction). In November 2025 I had my implant placed during a very long 5 hour surgery. Then it was time to rest and recover, so I would be ready to have my Osia turned on and activated- my goal was to be able to hear for Christmas!

Finally- on December 18th 2025 (almost a whole year from the beginning of this crazy ride) I had my OSIA turned on and began to hear again! Over the next few months we made several adjustments and finally found all the perfect settings. My brain had to relearn how to hear and understand speech. At this time some other treatments that were on hold due to my recovery, resumed. But then in the beginning of February 2026 things started to change….

I started stumbling/falling down along with other cognitive changes. We had an extensive evaluation done that revealed that I have extreme memory loss, a very pronounced processing delay, and a few more cognitive changes as well as a confirmation that my medically induced PTSD was now worse than it ever was, along with depression. Hearing all of this news brought down my spirits. I had a re-evaluation done to continue therapy and the therapist was very concerned with his results. He sent me to a specialist to get my eyes checked out. After over 3 hours of intense testing he found that I have significant vision/ocular dysfunction alongside my other vestibular issues. My brain, eyes, coordination, and balance are all out of sync. I now need special prism glasses and special vision care. I cried hearing this news. Another blow.

As of April 2026 I am in physical therapy, functional therapy, aqua therapy, vision rehab, vestibular therapy, see a psychologist and therapist, and now have just started being seen by Palliative care to help me as I push through all of these treatments and also undergo testing to see if my tumor has possibly regrown, something else was missed during surgery, or to properly find out more about the damage that was done due to this tumor. My quality of life is the lowest it has been, and despite all of the care I am getting- I am having trouble daily and the challenges seem to keep growing. While I battle all these new issues, I still am receiving treatment for my Ankylosing Spondylitis (an autoimmune arthritis I’ve had since 2013 and multiple other conditions. These next few months will be very intense as we try to determine why I’m not recovering like I should. I have missed out on so many life events, seeing my loved ones, and enjoying my life.

I continue to remind myself that this dark time won’t be forever. I know there is ALWAYS a rainbow after a storm. This is just a bigger storm than we anticipated…but I believe I will see the sun soon! There are still so many beautiful more colorful and wonderful days and experiences that await me! “If it’s not pink or glitter I don’t want it”!

Because I have been out of work for years and fighing to get disability for 3, every single donation blesses me in a way you cannot begin to understand! Half of my therapies are NOT included with my insurance, and are out of pocket. The financial burden is heavy. Thank you or helping in anyway you can, even if it’s just to stop by to say hi or remind me that I’m not alone and my life still does have purpose. Thank you for having FAITH LIKE FEE! I couldn’t keep fighting without you.

Despite all that I am fighting through, giving back is still so important to me- Through my “Sprinkle Faith” programs I am able to give back in the form of comfort & inspirational based projects. Sprinkling faith, hope, & love.

 THE ORIGINAL STORY- THE VISION- THE HOPE

My name is Felicia Reinhard. I am many things. A visionary, writer, photographer, dance coach, daughter, and friend. And on November 9th 2013 I became a fighter. 

During the summer and fall of 2013 I noticed my body changing. I was feeling more tired, drained, and was getting sick more often. My body started to hurt when waking up and my mobility started to fail. At 22 years old waking up not able to walk is far from normal. After visiting my doctor and having my concerns be dismissed "because I was so young" I decided to take action myself. I knew something wasn't right and I was going to get to the bottom of it. I wasn't going to accept that I was "fine". I called into Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and was seen right away. Within 3 days I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Autoimmune Arthritis that affects the spine, joints, and organs. My body was attacking itself and making me incredibly sick. Since then I have had over 30 surgical procedures, have survived a PE, sepsis 3 times, and too many hospital stays to count.

It's amazing how much living I have packed into 34 years of life. Some moments it feels like it's been forever and other moments it feels like my life has just started. I have learned a lot in 34 years, through the good times and the bad. I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life, even if they were in your life for such a short time. I've learned that having two moms, one in heaven and one on earth doesn't make me weird, it makes me blessed. I've learned that "making a living" is not the same thing as making a life. I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that people who care about you will ALWAYS be there, no matter when and no matter what. And I've learned that I am loved now until forever up above and here on earth, and everyday I'm here I can do my best to give that love back.

I have gotten to share my story with thousands of people through the various organizations I’m with, social media, and in everyday life. I hope that my story helps encourage others to find the color and glitter even when things get hard. And are reminded that everyone is fighting something…sprinkle your own kind of love and inspiration to those around you. You never know what a difference you are making!

But even against all the odds…

I still dance when my body can

I still share my story with whoever I can

I still travel to places I love and love the ocean

I still dream of a day where we have cures for all of these diseases

I still HAVE FAITH that together we can lift each other up with love

I still love everything pink with glitter and see the color in everyday!