Friends for David and Vikki Rivera
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Vikki Rivera, and most of you know my wonderful husband, David. He is a fun loving guy, who can easily make friends with anyone at the drop of a hat. David is an amazing husband, father, stepfather and grandfather of four, with another one on the way. For the past 20 years, David has been a caddie at Old Memorial in Tampa. He has spent the last 15 summers traveling to the the northeast, working as a caddie at such prestigious clubs as Sebonack and The Bridge on Long Island, and Pine Valley in New Jersey. Caddying is more than a vocation for David, but a labor of love.
At the beginning of this year, David had started mentioning having back pain, but thought it was a by product of carrying golf bags for all those years. Then, on the Saturday before Mother's Day, he went to lift the golf bags and heard/felt a pop in his back. Being the dedicated guy he is, he tried to fight through it, but could not continue and called in for a replacement. The pain continued and he was unable to work until he could see a health professional.
Due to COVID-19, we were unable to get him an appointment with a doctor until July. We were finally able to get an appointment with a chiropractor. As we were leaving that day, David felt another pop and was unable to walk and we had to reschedule for the next week. The time leading up to that appointment, he was in constant, excruciating pain. When we finally did get to the office, the chiropractor took some xrays and decided he needed an MRI. From that, they were able to determine that David's L1 vertebrae was fractured.
Up to the time of the MRI, my wonderful husband had been able to walk, albeit slowly and painfully. However, after the MRI took place, he was unable to walk, and had to be helped from car into the house. Over the next week, David's condition continued to deteriorate, and on Monday, June 29th, I decided that we needed to call 9-1-1.
At this point, he was unable to move his legs and feet. Once he got to the hospital, we found out that his L1 was now shattered and were told that he had basic, not full, paralysis. He was given a 50% chance of ever walking again. Other test had been run, and later that day we were told that cancer cells had been found in his spine, This is what led to the compromise in the integrity of his spine.
On that Wednesday we were told that surgery would be performed on Thursday evening, in which 10 rods and 2 pins would be placed in his back and a cage would be attached. This is all to help stabilize his spine. The procedure was a success and he was placed in rehab facility the follow Thursday to begin occupational and physical therapy. Once he learns how to operate a wheelchair, and can complete basic tasks, he will return home to continue his recovery. It will be 6-8 months before we will know if he can walk again. However, if he is able to walk, he will never be able to caddie again,
As his spine becomes more stable, they will begin to treat the cancer with radiation and chemotherapy. Because the cancer was diagnosed as Stage 4, it is not cureable, but it is treatable, he will be on immunotherapy for the remainder of his life. The good news is that it has not spread to his brain, lungs, or any other vital organs.
We have a long road ahead of us, and I will be the sole income for a long period of time. We realize that these are difficult times for everyone, but we ask if you could help us out with whatever you are able to. We love you all and thank you for all your support.
Vikki
At the beginning of this year, David had started mentioning having back pain, but thought it was a by product of carrying golf bags for all those years. Then, on the Saturday before Mother's Day, he went to lift the golf bags and heard/felt a pop in his back. Being the dedicated guy he is, he tried to fight through it, but could not continue and called in for a replacement. The pain continued and he was unable to work until he could see a health professional.
Due to COVID-19, we were unable to get him an appointment with a doctor until July. We were finally able to get an appointment with a chiropractor. As we were leaving that day, David felt another pop and was unable to walk and we had to reschedule for the next week. The time leading up to that appointment, he was in constant, excruciating pain. When we finally did get to the office, the chiropractor took some xrays and decided he needed an MRI. From that, they were able to determine that David's L1 vertebrae was fractured.
Up to the time of the MRI, my wonderful husband had been able to walk, albeit slowly and painfully. However, after the MRI took place, he was unable to walk, and had to be helped from car into the house. Over the next week, David's condition continued to deteriorate, and on Monday, June 29th, I decided that we needed to call 9-1-1.
At this point, he was unable to move his legs and feet. Once he got to the hospital, we found out that his L1 was now shattered and were told that he had basic, not full, paralysis. He was given a 50% chance of ever walking again. Other test had been run, and later that day we were told that cancer cells had been found in his spine, This is what led to the compromise in the integrity of his spine.
On that Wednesday we were told that surgery would be performed on Thursday evening, in which 10 rods and 2 pins would be placed in his back and a cage would be attached. This is all to help stabilize his spine. The procedure was a success and he was placed in rehab facility the follow Thursday to begin occupational and physical therapy. Once he learns how to operate a wheelchair, and can complete basic tasks, he will return home to continue his recovery. It will be 6-8 months before we will know if he can walk again. However, if he is able to walk, he will never be able to caddie again,
As his spine becomes more stable, they will begin to treat the cancer with radiation and chemotherapy. Because the cancer was diagnosed as Stage 4, it is not cureable, but it is treatable, he will be on immunotherapy for the remainder of his life. The good news is that it has not spread to his brain, lungs, or any other vital organs.
We have a long road ahead of us, and I will be the sole income for a long period of time. We realize that these are difficult times for everyone, but we ask if you could help us out with whatever you are able to. We love you all and thank you for all your support.
Vikki
Organizer and beneficiary
David Wolfmeyer
Organizer
Mendham, NJ
Victoria Rivera
Beneficiary