Photo Credit: Memorial Hermann CypressHealth
Student Overcomes Rare Spinal Condition After Months of Uncertainty
What began as sudden pain for a local student-athlete quickly turned into a months-long medical mystery—one that ultimately led to a life-changing diagnosis and successful surgery right here in the Cypress area.
In September 2025, 16-year-old Myra Fennell, a competitive softball player and high-achieving student in Klein ISD, began experiencing acute pain under her left rib cage that radiated around her spine. Over the following months, her condition worsened significantly, bringing on severe neurological symptoms and limiting her ability to carry out daily activities.
According to her mother, Myra underwent extensive testing and visited multiple specialists between September and December, including experts in gastroenterology, pulmonology, orthopedics, and pain management. Despite undergoing numerous MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, and blood panels, doctors were unable to determine the cause of her pain. At one point, her symptoms were even suggested to be psychosomatic.
By November, Myra began experiencing heaviness in her legs and difficulty climbing stairs. By January, her condition had deteriorated to the point where her mobility was severely limited, and her pain levels were consistently described as a 9 or 10. She missed approximately 42 days of school during the first semester due to the severity of her symptoms.
A turning point came when Myra was referred to Dr. Keith Kerr, a neurosurgeon with Memorial Hermann Mischer Neuroscience Associates. After reviewing her previous imaging, Dr. Kerr identified potential abnormalities that had been overlooked and ordered a specialized diagnostic test known as a myelogram.
The myelogram revealed a rare condition involving arachnoid bands—web-like tissue formations within the spinal canal—that were compressing Myra’s spinal cord and preventing proper circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. This discovery finally provided an explanation for her intense pain and progressive loss of mobility.
On January 20, Myra underwent spinal surgery performed by Dr. Kerr. According to her family, she experienced immediate relief from pain upon waking from the procedure.
Today, Myra is recovering at home and continuing her education through a homebound program. While she is unable to participate in competitive softball this season, she is expected to return to school in late March, shortly after celebrating her 17th birthday.
Her experience has also inspired a new goal—Myra has expressed interest in pursuing a career in pediatric orthopedics, hoping to help other young patients facing similar medical challenges.
Myra’s journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of persistence in medical care and the impact of finding the right diagnosis at the right time.
Source: Memorial Hermann Cypress
