Please help as I recover from spinal surgery.

Hi. This is Dana. I am updating and re-opening my fundraiser instead of creating a new one. Then people can see background info. My original post is below and those previous donations can be seen. Thank you again so much to those that helped me.

Things were finally starting to get better and back on track and I finally caught up from being so far behind from way back in October. But then I started having extreme pain throughout my right shoulder, my back, neck, and down my arm and hand. I wasn't able to lift my right arm or grasp things and the pain was at a level 10. Driving was excruciating. I went to the doctor but it wasn't getting better. I went to the ER that same week and the MRI showed there was a disc pressing on my spinal cord and they told me I needed immediate spinal surgery. So a day later they brought me into surgery. This was on March 22. They found other issues going on on the other side of my spine and arthritis and stenosis which is narrowing of the spine that protects the cord, but the surgeons decided to only take care of removing this disc for now.

It's been weeks now and this recovery is taking a lot longer than I thought it would and the pain is still really bad. The doctors at the hospital told me it would be quite awhile but I really had it in my head that I'd be better much faster. But at my follow up appt the surgeon said it could take 6 weeks or more to really feel better from the pain but it could be a year or more before the nerves start working properly in my hand. I still can't feel my pinky, ring finger and bottom of hand and wrist and my forearm throbs. I'm right-handed so dealing has not been easy. I have to take a lot of breaks and go really slow. My neck is also tight and painful when standing up trying to do stuff and I still can't lift much. I have to do occupational therapy next.

I don't want to go into all the miserable details but this has a very difficult time for me emotionally and mentally too. I have had very little help and things are piling up. Indigo is very complex and it's not easy for us. No kid should feel so depressed and anxious and I am always worried. I can't drive so lots of school has been missed. I can't go back to helping my dad or anyone else. There's just so much pressure to just be better and all of this just has taken a big toll on me.

I have lost a whole month of work now and really need support to get through. There's just no way for me to make up the month and it's so stressful and I have no where to turn. I want to get back to life and my responsibilities. I miss work and doing for myself but I'm just managing the pain day in and day out and just can't yet. My left neck and shoulder is also tingling pins and needles and really bothersome but they can't address it until I'm healed from this surgery.

I really need help to try to get through April. I do not have an benefits from my job. No insurance or paid time off. Not sure what else to do. I sincerely from the bottom of my heart would be so grateful for any financial help right now. My self esteem is so low. I know everyone has problems. I know there are so many people out there in worse situations but I just keep getting slammed and it's honestly really hard to keep positive.

I don't have a big network of family and friends so even if you can just share this with people, it means a lot. Thank you for taking the time to read this and if you can help, I'd be so appreciative. Thank you so much.

Dana

Venmo: @Dana-Ross-52

Last four digits of my number is 4870.

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Hi. I'm Dana from Norwalk. It's been an awful year and I'm really hoping for some assistance and I'm utterly grateful for anyone that can help me.

There's so much more but in a nutshell: my mom died a year ago. My partner of 15 years died in February. Both spent years being extremely sick before they passed. We even lost our poor cat Zoe in September to cancer. My kid is on the autism spectrum and is complicated and it takes a lot of patience. She is still grieving her dad too. The only great news this year is a new school program which has been so very helpful regarding special education services. My dad is disabled and in a wheelchair and I must help him on a regular basis including some personal care and shopping, etc now that my mom is gone.

I do work and have a secure position but it is part-time and circumstances led me to have to take that path while taking care of everyone while they were sick. I have put in applications but as of right now, I have not been able to find anything and everything is closing in on me. I've posted things to sell but no one is buying.

I try not to feel sorry for myself and I am doing all I can to keep it together emotionally but it's a struggle and getting harder. I'm not okay. I can't tell you how stressed, lonely and sad I feel especially with the holidays coming up. Just going to work is hard. People offer everywhere to help with gifts and toys. But my kid is too big for toys and really doesn't need much. All my kid wants for Christmas is to stay living in her home. I have to make sure we have food. I have maxed out all credit now. I had to use it since David passed away for living expenses and now can't pay those either.

I'm behind on everything and just really want to pay my household bills and back rent. I have budgeted amounts but I'm 2 months behind on my gas, electric and cable. Cable is most important because we need the internet and WiFi and Eversource is more able to work with me.

I'm desperate for help. Desperate! Please help. I honestly don't know where else to turn. I have already tried all the resources, energy assistance, rental assistance.. There's nothing else. Looking for a roommate maybe but that still won't help in time.

Donations will go towards my back-rent that I am chipping away at, but help for the utilities can be done directly online as gifts. I put the account info below. I'd be ever so grateful to catch up and if I can start fresh. I don't want to be evicted and I can't afford to put stuff back on if they get shut off. There has got to be better days ahead and back to full time work. Hopefully there will be a positive turn for us in the new year. I know there are so many others struggling too but I thank you ever so much for your kindness. Every little bit is so very helpful.

Optimum ($450)

https://www.optimum.net/quick-pay/

07808-002035-07-2

Zip 06850

Eversource

https://internet.speedpay.com/eversource/#/login/guest

Gas (I owe $100) 57089080014

Electric (I owe $190) 51422343046

Zip code 06850

If you prefer to send directly I have Venmo, Zelle, FB pay and PayPal.. friends would know how to reach me via FB. Thank you again.