From Ropey to Reality

For Nikkia Dexter, it all began in March 2025 with persistent back pain. After undergoing an X-ray on her lower back, doctors found nothing alarming and diagnosed her with “ropey muscles” — a term used for muscular tightness and pain. She was prescribed muscle relaxers and rest, and life went on.

Fast forward to the morning of Monday, June 16th. Nikki woke up to excruciating, debilitating pain in her back. Still determined, she slowly prepared herself for work. But as she tried to get into the car, she was met with sharp, shooting and stabbing pain radiating from her lower back down to her right leg, along with tingling and numbness in her right foot. She couldn’t continue. She couldn’t drive. We helped her back into the house and urged her, "Call your job. Take some medication. Rest. Maybe tomorrow you'll feel better."

But Tuesday, June 17th brought more of the same — only worse. This time, Nikki couldn’t walk at all. Not knowing what to do, Zahmya, Nikki’s daughter called me and her granddad. In the background, we could hear Nikki screaming in agonizing pain. The pain had completely taken over. We said, “Take her to the emergency room!”

To get her mom out of the house, Zahmya had to act quickly and resourcefully. She managed to get her mom off the bedroom floor and into an office chair, using it as a makeshift wheelchair. Outside at the car, a kind neighbor saw their struggle and stepped in to help Zahmya lift her mom into the backseat.

At the ER, a wheelchair was brought out to get Nikki inside. We prayed they would be able to do something — anything — to give her relief. Although it did not work, the nurse immediately administered a shot of Tramadol to manage the pain, then they took her to get a CT scan and an MRI. The results were shocking: four herniated discs and one slipped disc in Nikki’s lower back. She was urgently referred to a neurosurgeon.

We were stunned. How could something so serious have been missed? From a “ropey” muscle diagnosis… to this? The very next day, Wednesday, June 18th, Zahmya drove her mom to see the neurosurgeon. He confirmed that Nikki has severe lumbar disc prolapse with radiculopathy (this herniation can impinge upon nearby nerve roots, leading to radiculopathy, a condition characterized by nerve compression symptoms). The doctor said that she would need surgery as soon as they could get her on the schedule.

Now Nikki's surgery has been scheduled for July 14th to address the damage, but the road ahead won’t be easy. Nikki is already unable to work due to the severity of her condition — she can barely walk or even sit for more than a few minutes without unbearable pain. With at least six weeks of recovery expected after surgery, she faces a long stretch without any income.

They need urgent support to cover their basic monthly expenses — rent, utilities, food, and medical costs — for August and September.

Here’s where the hardship intensifies: Nikki has been employed for less than one year as a Practice Manager at a Family Clinic. The company she now works for bought out the old clinic where she worked one year prior [unfortunately her benefits did not transfer to the new employer], which means she hasn’t accrued enough sick leave to provide any substantial income during her recovery. Neither is she eligible for short-term disability at this time. Zahmya works three evenings at a grocery store in Customer Service and she is in college full-time studying to work as Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Together, they simply do not have the financial means to stay afloat for the next few months. They need help to cover basic monthly expenses, especially from August through September — rent, utilities, groceries, phone, car payment, insurance, etc.

We are reaching out to all of Nikki’s family, friends, coworkers, and church community to rally around her in this time of need. Nikki has always been a generous, compassionate giver — of her gift to sing, her time, her resources, her heart. She’s the one who shows up, who helps others without hesitation. Now, this is her time — her time to receive.

Please consider donating — any amount makes a difference. And if you can’t give financially, please share this page and lift Nikki and Zahmya up in prayer. Together, we can help them through this critical time and ensure Nikki gets the healing she needs without the crushing weight of financial stress.

Thank you for your love, prayers, and generosity.