Support Kathryn’s “Internal Back Brace” Surgery.
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On April 23, 2021, I will undergo two surgeries to relieve pain in my low back. The job of the outermost abdominal muscles (rectus abominis) is to support your back and provide spinal stability. When the muscles separate and the connective tissue stretches sideways, it is now the connective tissue supporting the back instead of the muscle if they were together. So closing a diastasis will definitely help back pain. On April 23rd the surgeon will tighten the sheet of connective tissue that attaches muscles and other internal organs (also known as the fascia.) When the fascia is tightened, I will essentially gain a permanent back brace. My husband and I have to travel 4 hours to the hospital that is able to perform the surgery and I will be hospitalized a few nights following. Due to Covid, my children will not be able to visit me in the hospital and will need to stay back in our hometown. Derek will need to stay in a hotel close to the hospital.
Approximately 3 months later, I will undergo a breast reduction. I researched and sought out both surgeries to continue to improve my quality of life following a debilitating injury in 2018. Insurance is covering 70% of 2 out of 3 surgeries, will not cover a portion of the 1st surgeries as they see it as “experimental”. I will incur an array of other costs I will list below. This is my story:
The first of many MRIs showed injuries on L4-L5 (herniated disc) and a painful level 4 annular tear on L5-S1. The MRI also showed degenerate disc disease. I tried so many treatments to ease the disc and nerve pain (Lumbar Radiculopathy). Lumbar radiculopathy may occur when the spinal nerve roots are irritated or compressed. I wanted to avoid surgery, so I tried multiple sets of injections, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, dry needling, diet changes, essential oils, ice, heat, hydrotherapy, and more. Between the pain of sitting, and the endless doctors' appointments, I am no longer able to hold full time employment and I am awaiting a disability hearing. This process has taken years.
Degenerate disc disease cannot be cured.
There are surgical options for disc injuries. October of 2018, I underwent a two-level microdiscectomy to repair the discs and try to relieve the disc and nerve pain. I woke up in more pain. I was devastated. I was informed that the nerve was under more distress than they originally thought.
On May 7th, 2019, I underwent surgery for a spinal cord stimulator implant. A spinal cord stimulator works by masking pain signals before they reach the brain. A small device, similar to a pacemaker, delivers electrical pulses to the spinal cord. It helps people better manage their chronic pain and reduce their use of opioid medications. Stimulation does not eliminate the source of pain, it simply interferes with the signal to the brain. I will never be 100%, but this device has been a great pain management tool.
With the upcoming surgeries, I will need to be careful not to not reopen the wound for about three months, which means being careful to not bend or lift anything improperly. It can take up to a year to fully recover and get the all-clear from the doctor.
The financial situation surrounding injury/chronic pain is maddening. Due to my physical limitations and surgery restrictions my husband, a wildland firefighter, also has to stay closer to home and miss work to care for me and our two small children (7 and 3). Each share of this campaign helps.
Upcoming expenses:
April 23rd surgery deposit : $500 (paid)
April 23rd uncovered amount $3900
Patient responsibility of balance after insurance pays their portion of surgeries $8000
4-6 night of hotel stays for Derek plus meals $600
4-6 nights of childcare back in Redmond ~$500
Lymphatic drainage massage $750
Compression garments, walker, supplements $300
To my husband, I am forever grateful. To my family and friends, you are my reason to wake up each morning. To those who have helped in the past, the present, or into the future. You are loved. You make a difference. Thank you.
On April 23, 2021, I will undergo two surgeries to relieve pain in my low back. The job of the outermost abdominal muscles (rectus abominis) is to support your back and provide spinal stability. When the muscles separate and the connective tissue stretches sideways, it is now the connective tissue supporting the back instead of the muscle if they were together. So closing a diastasis will definitely help back pain. On April 23rd the surgeon will tighten the sheet of connective tissue that attaches muscles and other internal organs (also known as the fascia.) When the fascia is tightened, I will essentially gain a permanent back brace. My husband and I have to travel 4 hours to the hospital that is able to perform the surgery and I will be hospitalized a few nights following. Due to Covid, my children will not be able to visit me in the hospital and will need to stay back in our hometown. Derek will need to stay in a hotel close to the hospital.
Approximately 3 months later, I will undergo a breast reduction. I researched and sought out both surgeries to continue to improve my quality of life following a debilitating injury in 2018. Insurance is covering 70% of 2 out of 3 surgeries, will not cover a portion of the 1st surgeries as they see it as “experimental”. I will incur an array of other costs I will list below. This is my story:
April 22, 2018, was my daughter's 5th birthday party. I wasn't able to attend. That morning I injured my back getting something out of my car. I cried and yelped with pain as I made my way up the stairs. It would be days until I could get back down the stairs to go to the doctor, months to fully understand the severity of my situation, and years of surgeries, physical therapy, and more.
The first of many MRIs showed injuries on L4-L5 (herniated disc) and a painful level 4 annular tear on L5-S1. The MRI also showed degenerate disc disease. I tried so many treatments to ease the disc and nerve pain (Lumbar Radiculopathy). Lumbar radiculopathy may occur when the spinal nerve roots are irritated or compressed. I wanted to avoid surgery, so I tried multiple sets of injections, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, dry needling, diet changes, essential oils, ice, heat, hydrotherapy, and more. Between the pain of sitting, and the endless doctors' appointments, I am no longer able to hold full time employment and I am awaiting a disability hearing. This process has taken years.
Degenerate disc disease cannot be cured.
There are surgical options for disc injuries. October of 2018, I underwent a two-level microdiscectomy to repair the discs and try to relieve the disc and nerve pain. I woke up in more pain. I was devastated. I was informed that the nerve was under more distress than they originally thought.
On May 7th, 2019, I underwent surgery for a spinal cord stimulator implant. A spinal cord stimulator works by masking pain signals before they reach the brain. A small device, similar to a pacemaker, delivers electrical pulses to the spinal cord. It helps people better manage their chronic pain and reduce their use of opioid medications. Stimulation does not eliminate the source of pain, it simply interferes with the signal to the brain. I will never be 100%, but this device has been a great pain management tool.
With the upcoming surgeries, I will need to be careful not to not reopen the wound for about three months, which means being careful to not bend or lift anything improperly. It can take up to a year to fully recover and get the all-clear from the doctor.
The financial situation surrounding injury/chronic pain is maddening. Due to my physical limitations and surgery restrictions my husband, a wildland firefighter, also has to stay closer to home and miss work to care for me and our two small children (7 and 3). Each share of this campaign helps.
Upcoming expenses:
April 23rd surgery deposit : $500 (paid)
April 23rd uncovered amount $3900
Patient responsibility of balance after insurance pays their portion of surgeries $8000
4-6 night of hotel stays for Derek plus meals $600
4-6 nights of childcare back in Redmond ~$500
Lymphatic drainage massage $750
Compression garments, walker, supplements $300
To my husband, I am forever grateful. To my family and friends, you are my reason to wake up each morning. To those who have helped in the past, the present, or into the future. You are loved. You make a difference. Thank you.
Organizer
Kathryn Osborne
Organizer
Redmond, OR