Chris Hanley's Spinal Neck Surgery
Donation protected
Thank you for taking the time to follow the link and read our story.
I want to start by introducing myself - my name is Emily and I have created this page on my husband, Chris' behalf. I also begin by letting you know that the process of creating this page, means that I am putting myself, my husband and us as a family of four, in a very vulnerable position, in stripping our pride, sharing our story in its complete raw, open and honest form, and, let's face it, asking for financial assistance from family, friends and complete strangers. Asking for help is a very hard thing in itself, but asking people to give away their hard earned money takes it to another level, and is something I have never had to do. I am letting down my guard and I am going to be very honest, because I feel a sense of duty to anyone who is willing and able to financially contribute in whatever way they are able to do so.
Here goes...
'What do you want to be when you grow up?' This is a question all children are asked. As parents, we encourage children to do and be whatever makes them happy. There is a saying 'Love what you do and you won't have to work a day in your life'. My husband Chris grew up wanting to be a professional footballer. Chris was born and raised in Moree, NSW. He was a boy who loved sport, and he had natural abilities. At the age of 15, during one of his club football matches, he was given the opportunity to take up a football scholarship at Toowoomba Grammar School. He became a weekly boarder and spent weekends training or playing in Toowoomba and Brisbane. During this time, he was selected for the Queensland and the Australian Schoolboys teams, and was also selected in the Queensland Reds School Boy Scholarship Squad for three consecutive years. After completing his high school scholarship, Chris moved to Brisbane to begin his contract with the Queensland Reds Training Squad, and also played club football for Easts, and Queensland Under 19's team. On 23rd April, 2005, Chris injured his neck during an Australian Under 21's trial match. Whilst taking a break on the side line, an Australian coach told him if he wanted a shot at the Wallabies, he had to get back out there and play. Chris sustained further injury to his neck after being placed in a compromised position in a tackle. The injury was severe. His body went into major spasm, he lost feeling in his arms and couldn't turn his head. MRI results showed he had Disc protrusion at C5/6, which impinged on the right C6 nerve root. This began his 12 year medical journey with Neurosurgeons, Dr Terry Coyne and Dr David Walker at BrizBrain&Spine in Brisbane, and pain management specialists Dr Alan Howell and Dr Daniel Berge. Upon first meeting Chris, Dr Terry Coyne, approached him with the words, 'I'm surprised you're not in a wheelchair'. This hit a nerve, as Chris' uncle was quadriplegic after diving into a sandbar at the beach, years earlier. Chris was told because of his young age that surgery would not be an option, until other avenues had been explored. He began experiencing sharp shooting pains down his right arm, tingling sensations, burning sensations, numbness, irritated nerves and stabbing shoulder pain. The severity of these symptoms, along with the knowledge that his dream of having a career playing professional football was no longer possible, has contributed to his ability to sleep properly, his relationships and depression. Chris has tried physiotherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, topical creams such as Voltaren, pain medication including Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Mobic, Endone, Codeine, Oxycodone, Targin and Endep. He has used ice packs and hot packs. He has done specific neck strengthening exercises and specific weights exercises. He has tried multiple pillows and purchased a new bed to help ease the pain during his sleep. He has spent many a night drinking alcohol to help him sleep or take away the pain and nerve sensations in his neck, arm and hand.
Once these avenues had all been explored, Chris was finally given the option to have a Radiofrequency neurotomy with facet joint injections. This pain management procedure lasts up to 12 months. During the last three years, Chris has had this procedure 3 times. The first procedure during 2014, gave him adequate pain relief for 11 months, the second procedure gave him adequate pain relief for 9 months, and the third procedure, in January this year, gave him adequate pain relief for 1 month.
After recently consulting with Neurosurgeon, Dr David Walker, Chris has finally been booked in for Surgery on 25 May 2017. The procedure involves Cervical Artificial Disc replacement, Spinal Rhizolysis, Spinal Fusion, and segmental internal fixation of 1-2 levels. The cost of the procedure is $15355, which does not include Anaesthetic, Radiology, Pathology, Post Surgery Medication or Post Surgery Rehabilitiation such as Physiotherapy. Chris has been advised that he may need up to 10 weeks off work post surgery. This equates to $18682 in wages, which go toward our weekly mortgage, car and childcare repayments, amongst other necessities such as food and every day living. These costs together come to a total of $34037 which we are out of pocket, and unfortunately, we do not have this money set aside.
When we were sitting at home the night after Chris had been offered a surgery date, calculating figures and working out finances, I suggested to Chris that we create a GoFundMe campaign. I knew that was what I would have to do, as there was no other option, but knowing Chris and how he hates asking for help, I thought he would give me a stern 'no'. He immediately said, with tears in his eyes, 'I think that's a great idea, because I can't stand the pain anymore, babe. And I'm sick of being cranky because of it.' Wow. I was shocked, but, also not, at the same time.
So here we are, less than 5 weeks away from the surgery date, with not a penny to put towards it, and two children under 5 who have no concept of the situation, but only the hope that people like yourself, who are reading this, are able to financially help us. We are at the end of the road, Chris has tried all avenues, and now, we need help.
If you are able to help us financially, no matter the dollar value, we would be truly grateful. Likewise, if you are able to share our story with others, we would also be most grateful. We are thankful from the bottom of our hearts, and we can't wait to share Chris' post surgery recovery and outcome with you.
With Sincere Thanks,
Emily (the wife) x
I want to start by introducing myself - my name is Emily and I have created this page on my husband, Chris' behalf. I also begin by letting you know that the process of creating this page, means that I am putting myself, my husband and us as a family of four, in a very vulnerable position, in stripping our pride, sharing our story in its complete raw, open and honest form, and, let's face it, asking for financial assistance from family, friends and complete strangers. Asking for help is a very hard thing in itself, but asking people to give away their hard earned money takes it to another level, and is something I have never had to do. I am letting down my guard and I am going to be very honest, because I feel a sense of duty to anyone who is willing and able to financially contribute in whatever way they are able to do so.
Here goes...
'What do you want to be when you grow up?' This is a question all children are asked. As parents, we encourage children to do and be whatever makes them happy. There is a saying 'Love what you do and you won't have to work a day in your life'. My husband Chris grew up wanting to be a professional footballer. Chris was born and raised in Moree, NSW. He was a boy who loved sport, and he had natural abilities. At the age of 15, during one of his club football matches, he was given the opportunity to take up a football scholarship at Toowoomba Grammar School. He became a weekly boarder and spent weekends training or playing in Toowoomba and Brisbane. During this time, he was selected for the Queensland and the Australian Schoolboys teams, and was also selected in the Queensland Reds School Boy Scholarship Squad for three consecutive years. After completing his high school scholarship, Chris moved to Brisbane to begin his contract with the Queensland Reds Training Squad, and also played club football for Easts, and Queensland Under 19's team. On 23rd April, 2005, Chris injured his neck during an Australian Under 21's trial match. Whilst taking a break on the side line, an Australian coach told him if he wanted a shot at the Wallabies, he had to get back out there and play. Chris sustained further injury to his neck after being placed in a compromised position in a tackle. The injury was severe. His body went into major spasm, he lost feeling in his arms and couldn't turn his head. MRI results showed he had Disc protrusion at C5/6, which impinged on the right C6 nerve root. This began his 12 year medical journey with Neurosurgeons, Dr Terry Coyne and Dr David Walker at BrizBrain&Spine in Brisbane, and pain management specialists Dr Alan Howell and Dr Daniel Berge. Upon first meeting Chris, Dr Terry Coyne, approached him with the words, 'I'm surprised you're not in a wheelchair'. This hit a nerve, as Chris' uncle was quadriplegic after diving into a sandbar at the beach, years earlier. Chris was told because of his young age that surgery would not be an option, until other avenues had been explored. He began experiencing sharp shooting pains down his right arm, tingling sensations, burning sensations, numbness, irritated nerves and stabbing shoulder pain. The severity of these symptoms, along with the knowledge that his dream of having a career playing professional football was no longer possible, has contributed to his ability to sleep properly, his relationships and depression. Chris has tried physiotherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, topical creams such as Voltaren, pain medication including Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Mobic, Endone, Codeine, Oxycodone, Targin and Endep. He has used ice packs and hot packs. He has done specific neck strengthening exercises and specific weights exercises. He has tried multiple pillows and purchased a new bed to help ease the pain during his sleep. He has spent many a night drinking alcohol to help him sleep or take away the pain and nerve sensations in his neck, arm and hand.
Once these avenues had all been explored, Chris was finally given the option to have a Radiofrequency neurotomy with facet joint injections. This pain management procedure lasts up to 12 months. During the last three years, Chris has had this procedure 3 times. The first procedure during 2014, gave him adequate pain relief for 11 months, the second procedure gave him adequate pain relief for 9 months, and the third procedure, in January this year, gave him adequate pain relief for 1 month.
After recently consulting with Neurosurgeon, Dr David Walker, Chris has finally been booked in for Surgery on 25 May 2017. The procedure involves Cervical Artificial Disc replacement, Spinal Rhizolysis, Spinal Fusion, and segmental internal fixation of 1-2 levels. The cost of the procedure is $15355, which does not include Anaesthetic, Radiology, Pathology, Post Surgery Medication or Post Surgery Rehabilitiation such as Physiotherapy. Chris has been advised that he may need up to 10 weeks off work post surgery. This equates to $18682 in wages, which go toward our weekly mortgage, car and childcare repayments, amongst other necessities such as food and every day living. These costs together come to a total of $34037 which we are out of pocket, and unfortunately, we do not have this money set aside.
When we were sitting at home the night after Chris had been offered a surgery date, calculating figures and working out finances, I suggested to Chris that we create a GoFundMe campaign. I knew that was what I would have to do, as there was no other option, but knowing Chris and how he hates asking for help, I thought he would give me a stern 'no'. He immediately said, with tears in his eyes, 'I think that's a great idea, because I can't stand the pain anymore, babe. And I'm sick of being cranky because of it.' Wow. I was shocked, but, also not, at the same time.
So here we are, less than 5 weeks away from the surgery date, with not a penny to put towards it, and two children under 5 who have no concept of the situation, but only the hope that people like yourself, who are reading this, are able to financially help us. We are at the end of the road, Chris has tried all avenues, and now, we need help.
If you are able to help us financially, no matter the dollar value, we would be truly grateful. Likewise, if you are able to share our story with others, we would also be most grateful. We are thankful from the bottom of our hearts, and we can't wait to share Chris' post surgery recovery and outcome with you.
With Sincere Thanks,
Emily (the wife) x
Organizer
Chris Hanley
Organizer
Charlton QLD
