Story
This is a nightmare. Only 2.5 years after I had surgery to straighten my neck and upper back I am forced to walk with a cane and my neurosurgeon said soon I’ll need a wheelchair. I am so bent over that my face is facing down (see pictures). Screws came out of the rods in my back. The lack of support caused me to start bending forward. Now another surgery is required and the longer I wait the more complicated the next surgery will be. The surgery is needed before my vertebrae move more. I want to be able to walk after the surgery and the longer I wait the less the chances.
The picture is of me in Northside Hospital because of severe anemia. My hemoglobin dropped to a dangerous count. The doctors are looking for internal bleeding but haven’t found it after an endoscopy and colonoscopy. Blood transfusions and iron via IV are helping me recuperate. I had no idea I was anemic.
My spine has deteriorated and gotten deformed in only a year and a half because the bottommost thoracic screws came out of the rods about waist high. The screws are protruding out of my back. My lower back can’t support my upper back without the support of the screws. (See picture of me standing) My surgeon told me another surgery is inevitable but I didn’t expect to deteriorate this quickly.
For a second opinion a full spine x-ray was required. I was shocked when I saw it. My spine leaning to the right like the Tower of Pisa. My surgeon compared it to a x-ray from 6 months after surgery (before the screws came out) when my spine was perfectly straight. The surgeon said my spine is leaning because the lower vertebrae haven’t been fused (which will be done in the next surgery).
This damage began soon after the screws came out. Because my lower back is arthritic and can’t support my upper back I am bent forward from the waist and need a cane to walk. The majority of the time pain or aching and my posture prevent me from doing the things I love. Th neurosurgeon said another surgery was imminent but I resisted partially out of fear and partially because of not having money.
I rarely go out now but when I do go to the grocery store people take one look at me and will walk a long way to offer me help or insist on helping me. By the way they look at me and how they act I know my appearance looks decrepit and deformed. I am very self conscious and don’t want to be seen. I am not planning to attend my niece’s engagement party after Passover. This is so hurtful.
The first surgery broke me. My plan was to begin looking for a job 9 months in to the recovery period from my 2022 neck and back surgeries. This is the first time in my life I haven’t been able to get a job. I was in Sales in Finance for 20 years but now I couldn’t even get a job at Publix. The Publix manager that interviewed me didn’t think I could lift 15 pounds which is a requirement. A remote job is what I need. I interviewed for retail and office jobs but no one would hire me.
I have not told my daughter about not having rent. She, of course, knows we are broke and that I am upset all of the time and sick. Those of you who know me, please do not discuss this with my daughter. She worries and is such a wonderful person. It is miserable enough here with no money and me upset. She knows I have big problems. I will have to tell her in a couple of weeks if this campaign doesn’t get any interest.
My insurance is very good but I will have out-of-pocket medical expenses and transportation expenses. Also I am responsible for to pay the rent and bills during a 2-3 month recovery period. I hope that improving my posture increases my chances of getting a retail, office or hospitality job if a remote position isn’t available. My neurosurgeon is empathetic and will get me a surgery date when I’m ready or in such bad shape the surgery is required immediately.
Please support us through this corrective surgery. This has been a long miserable journey. It pains me more then you can imagine to ask for donations but I don’t have anywhere else to go. I appreciate those who helped me have the first surgery and been so kind and generous! Because of you I haven’t felt so alone.
I am forever thankful to you. I am constantly working on being grateful for what I have like my friends, my Rabbi and family.
My goal is exactly what I need to afford the surgery and recovery. No donation amount is too small.
Thank you for reading my long GoFundMe campaign post and thank you for your consideration.
Andrea
Since I wrote this there was a cancellation and I have a surgery date of April 14th.
Organizers :
Andrea J. Feinberg is organizing this fundraiser.