Aisha Reed's Back Relief Surgery Fund
Donation protected
“I would love to be able to have the ability to be active with my family again. I am praying this surgery is the key to a better quality of life for me and my family.”
Aisha Thomas Reed, my sister, suffers excruciating back and leg pain, despite having had two spinal surgeries, many physical therapy and chiropractic sessions, and injections to numb the nerves. She is unable to do everyday activities such as cleaning, riding a bike, or even walking on uneven surfaces. Her last hope is orthopedic back surgery at Stenum Hospital, a specialized hospital outside of Bremen, Germany. Payment for the surgery is due to the hospital by February 20, 2020, or surgery will be cancelled. Please help us support Aisha's critical surgery.
Background:
Aisha was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and scoliosis. Her first surgery in 2015 was a spinal fusion of six vertebrae. Rods and screws were implanted to stabilize and straighten her back.
(Screws and rods that came loose after the first surgery.)
When this did not resolve her pain, the second surgery in 2018 removed the rods, one of which was broken in two. Five of the 12 screws from the previous surgery were loose because they were not long enough. This second surgery did not offer the hoped-for resolution of pain issues. In fact, the surgery and her bone spurs, herniated discs and bulging discs increased the nerve pain in her legs.
The Amazing Aisha:
Despite the pain she endures, Aisha is able to excel at everything she does with a smile on her face. She was named Nike's 2018 Employee of the Year and flown to Nike's head quarters in Oregon to receive an award from top executives. As assistant coach for the Rocky Mountain High School girls soccer team she helped coach the team, which includes her daughter Jada, to two straight state championships. She always prioritizes the needs of her family, friends, neighborhood, and even people she just met over her own needs.
(Aisha, Jada, and Donal, her step-dad)
While many of us know her outward strength, kindness, and generosity we have little understanding of the pain she endures. Her husband, Ben, has been very supportive, yet cannot bear to witness her daily and nightly pain. Her daughter, Marli, said she had to call her dad downstairs one night because Aisha could not get up from the sofa or even turn off a light switch. The pains in her back keep her up at night and are having a dramatic impact on her ability to sleep and function.
(Aisha and her mom, Becky Greenlee)
Treatment:
As a last hope of finding relief from the unbearable daily pain, Aisha sought a consultation from Stenum Hospital outside of Bremen, Germany. Stenum Hospital is a specialized hospital that provides orthopedic back surgery. For 30 years Stenum Hospital has provided the artificial disc replacement surgery that Aisha needs.
Additional details from Stenum - The intervertebral disc at L5/S1 does not only show degeneration, it is a diseased disc. The disc height is reduced and appears significantly rigid which could cause local endogenous inflammatory cascades and discogenic pain. This manifests itself in the described symptoms. The plan is a surgical solution including removal of disc material, revision of the spinal canal and neural foramina and implantation of Baguera L artificial disc (by SpineArt).
The physicians there have staffed Aisha’s case and approved her for surgery on March 5, 2020. The surgery is estimated to require her and her caretaker (her mom, Becky) to be in Germany for 3 weeks at a minimum.
Why Aisha and Ben need help from their community now:
· The costs of the surgery, including pre and post-surgical services, surgery, physical therapy and housing (with breakfast) pre- and post-surgery for her and her caretaker while in Germany are about $32,000 U.S. dollars. She will probably be in the hospital 4-5 days with post-surgical physical therapy and massage provided in her hotel room.
· Airfare, after using her husband’s airline miles, is $3,725.
· Lunch and dinner costs are not included in the surgical package for her when discharged from the hospital or her caretaker. Cost of meals, transportation and incidentals is estimated to be about $3,000.
· Currently, Aisha and Ben are still paying out-of-pocket, for previous failed surgeries and injections, as well as physical/chiropractic therapy, which are not covered by insurance.
· When Aisha returns home, she will need post-surgery massage therapy and physical therapy to strengthen her back and calm the muscles that have been inflamed for so many years.
· Aisha will not be able to work for several months following the surgery. Because she works part time, she does not have paid medical leave, and her family will be losing her wages during the months of recovery.
Please consider helping Aisha and her family pay for this desperately needed surgery.
Aisha Thomas Reed, my sister, suffers excruciating back and leg pain, despite having had two spinal surgeries, many physical therapy and chiropractic sessions, and injections to numb the nerves. She is unable to do everyday activities such as cleaning, riding a bike, or even walking on uneven surfaces. Her last hope is orthopedic back surgery at Stenum Hospital, a specialized hospital outside of Bremen, Germany. Payment for the surgery is due to the hospital by February 20, 2020, or surgery will be cancelled. Please help us support Aisha's critical surgery.
Background:
Aisha was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and scoliosis. Her first surgery in 2015 was a spinal fusion of six vertebrae. Rods and screws were implanted to stabilize and straighten her back.
(Screws and rods that came loose after the first surgery.)When this did not resolve her pain, the second surgery in 2018 removed the rods, one of which was broken in two. Five of the 12 screws from the previous surgery were loose because they were not long enough. This second surgery did not offer the hoped-for resolution of pain issues. In fact, the surgery and her bone spurs, herniated discs and bulging discs increased the nerve pain in her legs.
The Amazing Aisha:
Despite the pain she endures, Aisha is able to excel at everything she does with a smile on her face. She was named Nike's 2018 Employee of the Year and flown to Nike's head quarters in Oregon to receive an award from top executives. As assistant coach for the Rocky Mountain High School girls soccer team she helped coach the team, which includes her daughter Jada, to two straight state championships. She always prioritizes the needs of her family, friends, neighborhood, and even people she just met over her own needs.
(Aisha, Jada, and Donal, her step-dad)While many of us know her outward strength, kindness, and generosity we have little understanding of the pain she endures. Her husband, Ben, has been very supportive, yet cannot bear to witness her daily and nightly pain. Her daughter, Marli, said she had to call her dad downstairs one night because Aisha could not get up from the sofa or even turn off a light switch. The pains in her back keep her up at night and are having a dramatic impact on her ability to sleep and function.
(Aisha and her mom, Becky Greenlee)Treatment:
As a last hope of finding relief from the unbearable daily pain, Aisha sought a consultation from Stenum Hospital outside of Bremen, Germany. Stenum Hospital is a specialized hospital that provides orthopedic back surgery. For 30 years Stenum Hospital has provided the artificial disc replacement surgery that Aisha needs.
Additional details from Stenum - The intervertebral disc at L5/S1 does not only show degeneration, it is a diseased disc. The disc height is reduced and appears significantly rigid which could cause local endogenous inflammatory cascades and discogenic pain. This manifests itself in the described symptoms. The plan is a surgical solution including removal of disc material, revision of the spinal canal and neural foramina and implantation of Baguera L artificial disc (by SpineArt).
The physicians there have staffed Aisha’s case and approved her for surgery on March 5, 2020. The surgery is estimated to require her and her caretaker (her mom, Becky) to be in Germany for 3 weeks at a minimum.
Why Aisha and Ben need help from their community now:
· The costs of the surgery, including pre and post-surgical services, surgery, physical therapy and housing (with breakfast) pre- and post-surgery for her and her caretaker while in Germany are about $32,000 U.S. dollars. She will probably be in the hospital 4-5 days with post-surgical physical therapy and massage provided in her hotel room.
· Airfare, after using her husband’s airline miles, is $3,725.
· Lunch and dinner costs are not included in the surgical package for her when discharged from the hospital or her caretaker. Cost of meals, transportation and incidentals is estimated to be about $3,000.
· Currently, Aisha and Ben are still paying out-of-pocket, for previous failed surgeries and injections, as well as physical/chiropractic therapy, which are not covered by insurance.
· When Aisha returns home, she will need post-surgery massage therapy and physical therapy to strengthen her back and calm the muscles that have been inflamed for so many years.
· Aisha will not be able to work for several months following the surgery. Because she works part time, she does not have paid medical leave, and her family will be losing her wages during the months of recovery.
Please consider helping Aisha and her family pay for this desperately needed surgery.
Organizer and beneficiary
Auden Kaehler
Organizer
Meridian, ID
Aisha Reed
Beneficiary
