My Hips Don't Lie
Donation protected
I always thought I woud l be the last person asking for help like this, but here we are. My name is Alexis Foster. I am a single mom to a sweet 6 year old girl in Portland, Oregon.
Last year, I started feeling pain in my hip joints. I chalked it up to the weather, a long hike, sleeping wrong- whatever I could tell myself to forget about it and keep going to work. When the pain continued to get worse instead of better, at the behest of my friends (who said I was too young for the cold air to make my joints ache), I started seeking a cause. I was told by several doctors that nothing was wrong, to take some advil and get some rest. But the pain didn't go away.
A few weeks ago, after finally getting an MRI and getting referred to a specialist, I was diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis, which is a disease that cuts off the blood supply to my hips and causes bone death. The doctors have no idea why I developed this. They usually see this present in people who have been in a serious accident, undergone chemotherapy or radiation, have had a transplant, or have a history of serious alcohol or drug abuse. I fit into none of these categories. The diagnosis was scary and overwhelming, and I have been out of work since I found out.
Next month I have to undergo core decompression surgery, which will leave me unable to walk or work for at least 6 weeks. This surgery will hopefully mean I can avoid, or at least postpone, a total hip replacement. The hardest part about all of this is that I need to work to support my little girl Leighton. Without being able to work, I have no way to keep a roof over our head or food on our table. I do have health insurance (thankfully), but I will still have to pay a portion of my medical costs. In addition, I have to find a way to pay for rent, bills, and care for Leighton.
Please share. Please give. Both help astronomically.
I would be ETERNALLY grateful if you could give anything. Whatever you have helps.
Last year, I started feeling pain in my hip joints. I chalked it up to the weather, a long hike, sleeping wrong- whatever I could tell myself to forget about it and keep going to work. When the pain continued to get worse instead of better, at the behest of my friends (who said I was too young for the cold air to make my joints ache), I started seeking a cause. I was told by several doctors that nothing was wrong, to take some advil and get some rest. But the pain didn't go away.
A few weeks ago, after finally getting an MRI and getting referred to a specialist, I was diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis, which is a disease that cuts off the blood supply to my hips and causes bone death. The doctors have no idea why I developed this. They usually see this present in people who have been in a serious accident, undergone chemotherapy or radiation, have had a transplant, or have a history of serious alcohol or drug abuse. I fit into none of these categories. The diagnosis was scary and overwhelming, and I have been out of work since I found out.
Next month I have to undergo core decompression surgery, which will leave me unable to walk or work for at least 6 weeks. This surgery will hopefully mean I can avoid, or at least postpone, a total hip replacement. The hardest part about all of this is that I need to work to support my little girl Leighton. Without being able to work, I have no way to keep a roof over our head or food on our table. I do have health insurance (thankfully), but I will still have to pay a portion of my medical costs. In addition, I have to find a way to pay for rent, bills, and care for Leighton.
Please share. Please give. Both help astronomically.
I would be ETERNALLY grateful if you could give anything. Whatever you have helps.
Organizer
Alexis Foster
Organizer
Portland, OR
