DAVIDA’S SPINE SURGERY ROAD TO RECOVERY

Hello everyone, My name is Davida Waters/Hebebrand.

When life gives you no choice but to be strong and humble yourself to ask for help in time of need.

I come across many fundraising and charitable events which I have made for others to help in their time of need as well. I am always happy to donate and help others in any way I can but not in a million years did I ever think I would be writing one for myself. This is by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life. For those of you who know me, you know how hard it is for me to ask for any help at all, I have always taken pride in standing on my own two feet, working hard, and having a great time enjoying the pleasures in life.

However, a few months ago, I started having health issues with my heart rate I was hospitalized for a week to be told I had something called SMAS syndrome. They went on to explain that they found on a cat scan that the artery in my stomach was at a shorter degree than it should be this was a very serious condition, But from what I researched it didn't seem severe as the people that had this disease because they were rapidly losing weight and couldn't hold anything down but its a very rare condition and doctors don't have much information on this. But then came problems with my blood pressure, severe pain in my hands, arms, legs, and feet, severe headaches memory problems confusion constant numbness and tingling. Progressively getting worse and worse I started being clumsy dropping things having issues with coordination with my hands balance problems, falling becoming very weak where I couldn't hang clothes or lift a thing of laundry detergent.All I did was lay in bed all the time I couldn't cook clean anything because I always felt so bad and weak. I could walk into a small store and be so exhausted I would come home and sleep. I kept going to hospitals for answers trying to seek help from doctors. I knew something else was wrong I just didn't expect that it was this serious. Finally, after months of trying to get answers I got the right doctor but only to tell me it was a very serious condition called cervical myelopathy and degenerative disc disease it was progressing very fast and I needed emergency surgery within a few weeks because it was compressing my spinal cord and causing damage. But to only find out I would need to see the surgeon to do emergency surgery on my spine. So after doing some research so I understand what exactly this meant because I was confused at the time everyone was saying how dangerous it was to have surgery on your spine scaring me to death to even have this surgery because of all the risk. Unfortunately, I couldn't put it off I didn't have time I knew not only have I not been able to care for my son the way I have been before all this started for a while now I had no quality of life but also at any point, I could be bound to a wheelchair and paralyzed for life or die it had already caused so much damage to my nerves so I had to have this done immediately there was no choice in the matter. I fought through the pain and everything for as long as I could until it was just the time too unbearable to even stand just constantly found myself laying in bed every day and night it was no way to live especially when you have a son who needs to be cared for I found myself inside more hospital doctors than I have ever seen.

I underwent several MRIs, CAT Scans, and X-Rays I spent hours and hours on end trying to figure out what exactly was going on not listening to the doctors that would say I just had anxiety or that they didn't see what was causing these issues anything trying to just lead the doctors down the right path on how to fix me to no avail. I saw specialist after specialist at some of the top hospitals in Atlanta.

I struggled to go to work daily I was constantly having to be out of work due to not feeling well or being in the hospital or seeing a specialist but at the time had no choice I had to take care of my son and myself. I had to put a roof over our heads and feed us I was a single mother. Luckily my employer had so much compassion for what was going on with me and my health understanding that I had a son to care for and knowing that I wasn't just trying to take advantage. I'm very blessed for the people that have been here through these hard times and it has helped me in trying to be strong and have faith it will get better I will never forget the ones who were there during these times. These people have sincerely touched my heart in so many ways I can't explain and if you ask me they have been like angels.

So I ended up having the surgery on March 22nd expecting a pretty quick recovery after reading and watching other people's success stories on social media. I was very hopeful because I was still so young and had several other surgeries that were successful and wasn't that bad.

But unexpectedly it took a turn for the worst after surgery I had such a terrible experience while in the hospital. I couldn't move my left arm,I was screaming and crying in so much pain and agony the chaplain was even crying with me when she came in. I had no idea who she was but she just looked at me and started breaking down crying with me praying which had given me some sort of hope or peace. Although none of the medicine would touch the pain in the hospital they weren't sure of the cause they just said they may have hit some nerves while doing the surgery or that it may be a blood clot the doctors ordered a test they put me on several steroids and antibiotics in the meantime. I couldn't even get out of bed to use the restroom so the nurses and my mom was having to tend to me like a newborn baby. Which at my age was a very humbling experience. I got out of the hospital a few days later and then ended up back at the er to find out I had a blood clot now in my calf.

Why was this happening to me and why couldn't anyone tell me why this was happening? At this point, severe depression and anxiety hit me hard being bound to the bed pretty much and missing my life because it had been turned upside down and being scared it will never be the same it has been an emotional roller coaster. I was used to being able to solve any problem, but here I was with a major problem that left not only me but the doctors I put my trust in baffled as well. I was and am still unable to walk much, unable to stand long, and not able to do simple daily activities that I had always taken for granted like house cleaning or standing long enough to cook my dinner. I am a complete shell of the mom I once was. I'm worse than before my surgery and don't seem to get any better I still have all the symptoms as before but even worse now I'm just so confused.

This is where I am asking for your help because I'm a single mother and have no help it's just me and my son. I'm trying to heal and unable to go back to work right now I hope to again but as of right now I'm unable to because of health. I have yet to be cleared by the doctor. I have done all I can here in Atlanta, at this time, of course, I have to feed us pay for bills and keep a roof over our heads. I am already in the eviction process and want to have a home for my son I don't want to end up homeless. So I'm hoping to find another place to move to because my current place is way too much to pay during this time with no income coming in and it already being in the eviction process. This is very embarrassing to put myself out there like this and ask for help but i really need all the help I can get right now in every way and left with no choice but to reach out and ask for it right now. I have to get help my life has been taken away from me, and it has not only affected me but also my loved ones. I am crippled with pain 24/7 with no relief and the complications from that are building up at an alarming rate.

If you can assist me in raising the money for us to find a cheaper place to move to have a roof over our heads pay bills, and food, I will be forever grateful. Asking for help is the hardest thing to do but I know I do not have any other choice. One of my dearest friends made me a go fund me trying to help but at the time I was ashamed to put my name out there a lot of people want sure if it was spam or if I was hacked. So I figured I just wanted to let my friends and loved ones what was going on and that I needed help. I appreciate all of you so much who already donated to help me it means the world. If you even can donate $5 whatever you may have to spare it will help me tremendously in so many ways.

I assure you that every single penny will be going towards that. This has been such an atrocious and arduous time in my life and all I wish for is the chance to be normal once again.

Thank you for taking the time to read all of this, I left a lot of the darker details out, I am sure you can imagine why. My story will not end here. I assure you with your help, I will just be starting a brand new chapter and then, there is no limit to what I can achieve.

Thank you for your kindness support and love if you can Please share also.

Bless you, all.

Davida Waters-Hebebrand