Leah'sRoad to recovery
Donation protected
Hello, first and foremost thank you for taking the time to read this. I was very hesitant to even make a #GoFundMe.
My hip issues started 16 years ago in 2001, I played soccer regularly and noticed that it became harder for me to run or do simple things like the other kids. So my parents took me to a physical therapist, I did the stretches and exercises that were given to me. A couple months went by and it wasn't getting better, only worse. My coaches and parents told me that I was stretching enough. So at my next check up the doctor had asked if we ever did an x-ray of my right hip (the leg giving me problems) told him no, did the x-ray got the results almost immediately and I was told that I was going into emergency surgery the next morning. I was diagnosed with a SLIPPED CAPITAL FEMORAL EPIPHYSIS (skiffy for short) so as you can see in the image above, the put a titanium pin in my hip to hold it into place. I never played soccer after that, I never did gym class throughout middle school or high school, I tried the swim team for a few years but even had trouble doing certain things (breast stroke) I had lost 95% of my range of motion.
Fast forward to July of 2016, I went in to see my primary care physician for hip pain. I could tell something wasn't right with the amount of pain I was getting and I could feel my muscles "snag" on my bone it felt like. Very cringe worthy feeling. So, did x-rays and he noticed I had three bone spurs on my hip. Then I was referred to an orthopedic specialist, they prescribed physical therapy (which only made it worse and inflamed). I also tried an #arthogram (a test using an x-ray to guide a needle in my hip joint and inject contrast dye) that failed miserably as they struck (literally) nerves and I could feel the needle scrapping my bone even after they injected me with numbing medicine. I had to beg them to stop. So two weeks later- we did an ultrasound sound guided injection. It worked for about the first 6 hours, I was feeling like myself could walk with little pain. But when I woke up I could hardly move. I was excruciating pain, went to prompt care, they sent me to the ER because it was so severe. My hip had "popped out" due to the fluids they injected me with the day before. Another horrible experience.
This surgeon said I would need surgery, but he didn't feel comfortable doing it and was referring me to a surgeon in Chicago. I remember just crying in the office thinking, HE CAN'T DO THIS. I have to go to Chicago? How am I going to afford this?
Before I went to Chicago, I got a second opinion here in Springfield, IL. I was told that I am too young for a hip replacement and if I did it now at 29,i would be in a wheelchair by the time I'm 60. Definitely not the news I wanted.
I went to Chicago with my Dad the first time, we had to do more x-rays, MRI's and tests that I had previously done a few months prior. I was told that my hip is deformed, more than likely from keeping the pin in for so long. I have no labrum left (it acts as a "gasket to keep fluid in") my ball of of my hip is not circular like my left hip and my bone hits together causing the scrapping and snagging. This has been a long road, I was put on a 6 month waiting list for surgery, Dr. Domb is the best of the best! So I understand the wait time.
Ever since the fall of last year (2016)I have became in medical debt and its only going to get worse. As of now I am $2,500 in medical debt. My surgery cost after insurance pays in $3,000.that doesn't include the months of physical therapy and machines I need at home.
I will be out of work for 8 weeks. I do have shirt term disability insurance, however I have to go two weeks without getting paid and then 60% of my pay after wards.
I'm not one to ever ask for help but the thought of getting in more medical debt physically makes me sick. I picked up a second job in February to help get caught up, that did help some. But the bills keep coming and now I am 4 days away from surgery.
The SURGERY (RIGHT HIP LABRAL RECONSTRUCTION, BONE SHAVING AND POSSIBLE REMOVAL OF PIN) is Friday 6/23 in Hinsdale, IL about 3 1/2 hours away. The surgery is 2 hours, sit in recovery for 1-2 hours then I have to sit in a recliner for 2 hours then we should be able to come home that night. I am going to stay at my parents during the week so my mom can help me and go home on the weekends when my boyfriend is off work. I have a great support system. And for that I am thankful for.
Even 50 cents would make a difference in my recovery, or sharing this.
If you made it to the end of this, thank you for sticking with me and reading it. I appreciate it and YOU!
My hip issues started 16 years ago in 2001, I played soccer regularly and noticed that it became harder for me to run or do simple things like the other kids. So my parents took me to a physical therapist, I did the stretches and exercises that were given to me. A couple months went by and it wasn't getting better, only worse. My coaches and parents told me that I was stretching enough. So at my next check up the doctor had asked if we ever did an x-ray of my right hip (the leg giving me problems) told him no, did the x-ray got the results almost immediately and I was told that I was going into emergency surgery the next morning. I was diagnosed with a SLIPPED CAPITAL FEMORAL EPIPHYSIS (skiffy for short) so as you can see in the image above, the put a titanium pin in my hip to hold it into place. I never played soccer after that, I never did gym class throughout middle school or high school, I tried the swim team for a few years but even had trouble doing certain things (breast stroke) I had lost 95% of my range of motion.
Fast forward to July of 2016, I went in to see my primary care physician for hip pain. I could tell something wasn't right with the amount of pain I was getting and I could feel my muscles "snag" on my bone it felt like. Very cringe worthy feeling. So, did x-rays and he noticed I had three bone spurs on my hip. Then I was referred to an orthopedic specialist, they prescribed physical therapy (which only made it worse and inflamed). I also tried an #arthogram (a test using an x-ray to guide a needle in my hip joint and inject contrast dye) that failed miserably as they struck (literally) nerves and I could feel the needle scrapping my bone even after they injected me with numbing medicine. I had to beg them to stop. So two weeks later- we did an ultrasound sound guided injection. It worked for about the first 6 hours, I was feeling like myself could walk with little pain. But when I woke up I could hardly move. I was excruciating pain, went to prompt care, they sent me to the ER because it was so severe. My hip had "popped out" due to the fluids they injected me with the day before. Another horrible experience.
This surgeon said I would need surgery, but he didn't feel comfortable doing it and was referring me to a surgeon in Chicago. I remember just crying in the office thinking, HE CAN'T DO THIS. I have to go to Chicago? How am I going to afford this?
Before I went to Chicago, I got a second opinion here in Springfield, IL. I was told that I am too young for a hip replacement and if I did it now at 29,i would be in a wheelchair by the time I'm 60. Definitely not the news I wanted.
I went to Chicago with my Dad the first time, we had to do more x-rays, MRI's and tests that I had previously done a few months prior. I was told that my hip is deformed, more than likely from keeping the pin in for so long. I have no labrum left (it acts as a "gasket to keep fluid in") my ball of of my hip is not circular like my left hip and my bone hits together causing the scrapping and snagging. This has been a long road, I was put on a 6 month waiting list for surgery, Dr. Domb is the best of the best! So I understand the wait time.
Ever since the fall of last year (2016)I have became in medical debt and its only going to get worse. As of now I am $2,500 in medical debt. My surgery cost after insurance pays in $3,000.that doesn't include the months of physical therapy and machines I need at home.
I will be out of work for 8 weeks. I do have shirt term disability insurance, however I have to go two weeks without getting paid and then 60% of my pay after wards.
I'm not one to ever ask for help but the thought of getting in more medical debt physically makes me sick. I picked up a second job in February to help get caught up, that did help some. But the bills keep coming and now I am 4 days away from surgery.
The SURGERY (RIGHT HIP LABRAL RECONSTRUCTION, BONE SHAVING AND POSSIBLE REMOVAL OF PIN) is Friday 6/23 in Hinsdale, IL about 3 1/2 hours away. The surgery is 2 hours, sit in recovery for 1-2 hours then I have to sit in a recliner for 2 hours then we should be able to come home that night. I am going to stay at my parents during the week so my mom can help me and go home on the weekends when my boyfriend is off work. I have a great support system. And for that I am thankful for.
Even 50 cents would make a difference in my recovery, or sharing this.
If you made it to the end of this, thank you for sticking with me and reading it. I appreciate it and YOU!
Organizer
Leah B Mcd
Organizer
Pawnee, IL
