
Arlene's surgery for Restless Leg Syndrome
Donation protected
Hi, My name is Kathy Ehman. I'm Sam's Mom and I love Arlene as my daughter. Arlene has been on medications for debilitating Restless Leg Syndrome since 2000. The prescriptions aren't working anymore--something called augmentation--when the body no longer receives any benefits from a particular drug, so the doctors want to start her on addictive, life-changing opioids.
Addiction to opiates is guaranteed, but relief from her worst symptom, insomnia is not. She has slept an average of 40 minutes in 12 hours for years and is also struggling with depression, a side-effect of the prescriptions.
Night times are the worst, when she feels so isolated and alone, especially when the rest of her family are all sound asleep. That's when she researches RLS and possible treatments.
Her research turned up Dr. Anderson's Podiatry Clinic in Colorado, US. He's linked RLS with a blockage behind the knee. It reminds me of carpal tunnel. Blood flow is restricted, often more when lying down.
Dr. Anderson performs surgery to correct the blockage and it has proven successful for his clients. His book A perfect Night's Sleep tells it all.
Arlene and Sam will leave for Colorado on Feb. 2 and she will have two surgeries, a week apart, to treat both legs.
Canada's health care doesn't cover any of her costs, but Arlene and Sam would rather pay out-of-pocket for a cure than face a future of opioid dependency and no promise of relief or a good night's sleep.
The costs must all be absorbed by Arlene and Sam, including the surgery and medical costs, travel costs, accommodations, food, and time off work for both of them.
Arlene is currently exhausted and unable to work. Her Lake Cowichan store, Swordfern, will remain closed for a month or longer and Sam will require a three-week leave from his job as well.
Please help us help Arlene find a real solution to RLS. One that doesn't involve addictive, life-altering opioids. One that does involve a cure and the first step in shutting down RLS's cruel partner--endless insomnia.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kathy Ehman
Organizer
Petrolia, ON
Arlene VandenHammer
Beneficiary