My name is Liz and I seek financial support for medical bills. These bills include scans (MRI’s, bone scans, CT-scans, nerve conduction studies etc), specialist appointments, physiotherapy, psychology and four day surgery procedures and medications etc. In addition another day surgery procedure is required.

My relevant medical history since 2007 consists of four failed spinal surgeries including a two level fusion. As a result I have chronic pain, neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia and CRPS. I also have a diagnosis of major depression. I have mobility issues and use a walker for short distances and a wheelchair for longer distances.

This year I was in hospital for two months due to acute pain but was discharged with no diagnosis while still in severe pain. I then continued to seek a diagnosis from medical specialists who required more scans to determine the cause. My diagnosis is pudendal neuralgia which is a rare condition and in my case the nerve is entrapped between two ligaments that are stuck together. More medical intervention is required and possible surgery. This condition has made me even more housebound as I cannot sit comfortably as it worsens my pain. Recently I was hospitalised a second time (unrelated to my first hospitalisation this year) which resulted in more scans and specialist appointments.

As a result my quality of life is even more adversely affected, my depression has worsened and I am even more housebound. My career as an Paediatric Occupational Therapist ended fourteen years ago when I had to close my Private Practice due to my health. Trying to survive on a disability pension has placed me under major financial stress. Even moreso with all the unexpected medical bills this year. Having financial stress in addition to both chronic and acute pain further impacts my depression.