Update 5/26: Samantha is doing better than she did a few months ago. She is still at the Mayo in the Phoenix but only for a couple more weeks. She will be flying back near family in Maryland as there are a lot more medical facilities and practices to help her with recovery before coming back to her son in Wyoming. Unfortunately Samantha has still not recovered movement in her legs or hands, but is slowly learning to adapt. With being in an electric wheelchair, more challenges have come up. Doctors do not think she should fly commercially, and medical air ambulances are not covered under insurance. The prices of Medical Air are upwards of $45,000. While recovering in Maryland, Samantha will still need medical assistance with medical supplies such as her trach care, feed for her feeding tube and medical hygiene. Her home in Wyoming is also being remodeled to be handicap accessible. Changes of the entryway ramp, door, and bathrooms are the start.

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Hi, my name is Samantha Wood.

My story started back in 2001 with my early years of middle school. I was diagnosed with a giant cell tumor around my neck. I had to have major constructive surgery around my neck and maximum radiation allowed to the human body in an attempt to remove the tumor. I lost all bone in my neck, which had to be replaced with metal rods and screws. For many years, I was in and out of the hospital for surgeries. Later in my adult years, I had to have another major surgery as the metal plate in my neck cut a hole in my esophagus.

Fast forward to today, the right side of my body is starting to fail me as I recently found out that my spinal cord from all the prior surgeries and scar tissue is being squished and causing me to become paralyzed.

After two years of trying to find a doctor, I finally found one willing to help me in Phoenix, Arizona. It's a high-risk surgery as I was told there was a 50% chance the surgery would fail and I would permanently be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life. This will be the 36th surgery that I have had.

I am starting this GoFundMe in an attempt to help my family and I with medical expenses. I have two more doctors that I need to fly down to and see before my surgery. My surgery itself will involve multiple days with multiple different kinds of doctors, at least a week in ICU, and at least a month of Rehab. I'll be leaving my family back home while I am here.

The upcoming surgery includes the back of my neck being opened and clearing of as much scar tissue as possible. Removing all the old rods and screws in my neck and replacing them with new metal. Cutting into the front of my neck in an attempt to realign my spinal cord by breaking everything inside my neck to give the spinal cord a clear path.

I appreciate everyone for everything they've done for me my entire life, and I can not express to you how much it means to me.