Carmen's Medical Fund for Surgery
Donation protected
I am a military veteran appealing to you for a donation to cover the medical costs (procedure, hospital, and surgeon fees) for an SI joint fusion, using the iFuse system. Unfortunately, they consider the iFuse system relatively new and experimental; Tricare Health Insurance has declined to provide any coverage of this specific procedure, which now that the surgeon has reduced his fees drastically will come to just under $15,000.00.
In an attempt to summarize my story, I will tell you my condition went misdiagnosed for 8 months –initially, they suspected a sciatica problem or piriformis injury. In 2009, under the treatment of North Florida Pain Management, I learned I had spinal stenosis and required what was considered a relatively simple surgery –a laminectomy. Unfortunately, my case has been far from simple and I have fallen into the low percentage of unsuccessful surgeries; later referred to as failed back surgery. During my active duty years, I have had 2 laminectomies, a Spinal Cord Stimulator implant and extraction, and an L4-L5, L5-S1 fusion, totaling 5 surgeries to treat my condition. I endured countless conservative and alternative treatments for my chronic back syndrome and SI joint dysfunction: steroid injections, epidurals, nerve blocks, facet injections, radiofrequency nerve ablations, as well as acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, medical massages, yoga, and biofeedback.
I am a disabled veteran who incurred an injury from an accident in May 2008. While I have given 27 years of total service and 20 years of active duty service to the U.S. Army due to my injury, I obtained a medical retirement Dec 27, 2014. As you read my story, you will learn why I am not pursuing this surgery through the VA or military physicians; I use their medical services but on this matter, I feel I must go outside the military and VA, find my own specialists, and seek their medical advice on how to best correct my medical problem.
My life has forever changed. I cannot walk bare-footed, require orthotics or orthopedic shoes, require an air cushion to sit, sleep in a select number bed, and my house has been covered in memory foam or gel floor mats; I carry memory foam with me when I travel and I trained my dog to be a service dog. I have learned to balance rest, walk, standing, and sitting, recognizing and making others aware that I cannot tolerate long hours of either of those combinations. While I have learned to make changes in my life to accommodate my disability, I continue to research ways to improve my condition and I believe we (Montgomery Orthopedics and me) have found it –the iFuse system.
The money raised will go 100% towards the surgery and hospital costs. It would be an emense help if the goal could be met by November 20th 2016. I know this is a lot of money, but I have faith that my extended family will do their best to help. Any and all amounts would be greatly appreciated.
If you would like to review the surgery, please visit https://youtu.be/Ds3PmxZ9m2s.
Thank you in advance,
Carmen Lugo-Martinez
In an attempt to summarize my story, I will tell you my condition went misdiagnosed for 8 months –initially, they suspected a sciatica problem or piriformis injury. In 2009, under the treatment of North Florida Pain Management, I learned I had spinal stenosis and required what was considered a relatively simple surgery –a laminectomy. Unfortunately, my case has been far from simple and I have fallen into the low percentage of unsuccessful surgeries; later referred to as failed back surgery. During my active duty years, I have had 2 laminectomies, a Spinal Cord Stimulator implant and extraction, and an L4-L5, L5-S1 fusion, totaling 5 surgeries to treat my condition. I endured countless conservative and alternative treatments for my chronic back syndrome and SI joint dysfunction: steroid injections, epidurals, nerve blocks, facet injections, radiofrequency nerve ablations, as well as acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, medical massages, yoga, and biofeedback.
I am a disabled veteran who incurred an injury from an accident in May 2008. While I have given 27 years of total service and 20 years of active duty service to the U.S. Army due to my injury, I obtained a medical retirement Dec 27, 2014. As you read my story, you will learn why I am not pursuing this surgery through the VA or military physicians; I use their medical services but on this matter, I feel I must go outside the military and VA, find my own specialists, and seek their medical advice on how to best correct my medical problem.
My life has forever changed. I cannot walk bare-footed, require orthotics or orthopedic shoes, require an air cushion to sit, sleep in a select number bed, and my house has been covered in memory foam or gel floor mats; I carry memory foam with me when I travel and I trained my dog to be a service dog. I have learned to balance rest, walk, standing, and sitting, recognizing and making others aware that I cannot tolerate long hours of either of those combinations. While I have learned to make changes in my life to accommodate my disability, I continue to research ways to improve my condition and I believe we (Montgomery Orthopedics and me) have found it –the iFuse system.
The money raised will go 100% towards the surgery and hospital costs. It would be an emense help if the goal could be met by November 20th 2016. I know this is a lot of money, but I have faith that my extended family will do their best to help. Any and all amounts would be greatly appreciated.
If you would like to review the surgery, please visit https://youtu.be/Ds3PmxZ9m2s.
Thank you in advance,
Carmen Lugo-Martinez
Organizer and beneficiary
Robert Wayne Stephenson
Organizer
Winchester, VA
Carmen Lugo-Martinez
Beneficiary
