Marjorie' s Surgical/Medical Fund
Donation protected
Eight years ago, my life changed forever. I experienced pain in my back I had never felt the likes of before After months of physical therapy, medications and every form of natural healing available, I conceded and had back surgery. It was supposed to be a standard discectomy and hemilaminectomy, but it turned out to be anything but "standard".
When I awoke from surgery, it was immediately apparent that something had gone horribly wrong, due to no fault of the Surgeon. Extensive nerve damage had occured that no one could have anticiapated. I was left with 80% foot drop on my left side and no feeling below my left knee. Gone was my life as I knew it.
After eight months of various physcal therapies, I was finally able to walk without a walker, although a cane was and on occaison, still is necesary. I returned to work. I worked not only full time, but any and all overtime I could get. It took me two years, but I was able to pay off all my medical bills and loans from those who helped me get through.
As time went by, my condition worsened. I was unable to continue to work as the pain from the failed surgery and the nerve damage was dibilitating. I went from being a healthy, fit woman to one who was barely able to move or to do daily functions most take for granted, such as getting up from a sitting position, cooking, cleaning, etc. I went from a more than comfortable salary to Social Security Disability which barely covered living expenses much less things that should not be considered luxaries such as food and heat. I gave up a beautiful large home that could no longer be afforded and moved to a very small home to cut expenses and still found it hard to survive.
Two months ago, I started having severe pain in my left knee right about my numbness line. Finally, the doctor ordered an MRI on my knee and back. I am in need of immediate surgery on my left knee to fix a tear to the miniscus. I was also told that all of my discs in my lower back and neck have collapsed. The Doctor suggests a full back fusion although he can only give me the hope of a 27% success rate,
I must have the knee surgery as the pain is unbearable. My gait is so off that it has caused my back and hips to be out of alignment and made it so I can barely move.
I am in need of funding to cover not only my medical expenses associated with the surgery but to help pay my exisiting balances to my doctors from co-pays over these years and for some basic things I have not been able to afford for several years such as a mattress and box spring so that I no longer will need to sleep in a recliner which is all I have had for three years now, medication and subsequent physical therapy that will be needed. I could have filed bankruptcy, but unlike many I know who have done that at least one time if not more, I want to pay what I owe, I am just unable to do so.
To all that may be able to help me, I thank you in advance. Without the help of you all, I have no hope of being able to afford at least the knee surgery, much less the back fusion I need to be able to continue to even be mobile.
When I awoke from surgery, it was immediately apparent that something had gone horribly wrong, due to no fault of the Surgeon. Extensive nerve damage had occured that no one could have anticiapated. I was left with 80% foot drop on my left side and no feeling below my left knee. Gone was my life as I knew it.
After eight months of various physcal therapies, I was finally able to walk without a walker, although a cane was and on occaison, still is necesary. I returned to work. I worked not only full time, but any and all overtime I could get. It took me two years, but I was able to pay off all my medical bills and loans from those who helped me get through.
As time went by, my condition worsened. I was unable to continue to work as the pain from the failed surgery and the nerve damage was dibilitating. I went from being a healthy, fit woman to one who was barely able to move or to do daily functions most take for granted, such as getting up from a sitting position, cooking, cleaning, etc. I went from a more than comfortable salary to Social Security Disability which barely covered living expenses much less things that should not be considered luxaries such as food and heat. I gave up a beautiful large home that could no longer be afforded and moved to a very small home to cut expenses and still found it hard to survive.
Two months ago, I started having severe pain in my left knee right about my numbness line. Finally, the doctor ordered an MRI on my knee and back. I am in need of immediate surgery on my left knee to fix a tear to the miniscus. I was also told that all of my discs in my lower back and neck have collapsed. The Doctor suggests a full back fusion although he can only give me the hope of a 27% success rate,
I must have the knee surgery as the pain is unbearable. My gait is so off that it has caused my back and hips to be out of alignment and made it so I can barely move.
I am in need of funding to cover not only my medical expenses associated with the surgery but to help pay my exisiting balances to my doctors from co-pays over these years and for some basic things I have not been able to afford for several years such as a mattress and box spring so that I no longer will need to sleep in a recliner which is all I have had for three years now, medication and subsequent physical therapy that will be needed. I could have filed bankruptcy, but unlike many I know who have done that at least one time if not more, I want to pay what I owe, I am just unable to do so.
To all that may be able to help me, I thank you in advance. Without the help of you all, I have no hope of being able to afford at least the knee surgery, much less the back fusion I need to be able to continue to even be mobile.
Organizer
Marjorie Schwartz
Organizer
Coventry, CT
