Help Alex find financial peace of mind

Hi all. 

Here’s the scoop on what’s been happening in my life the last couple of months. 

After years of suffering from lower back pain and going through PT and multiple chiropractors, my most recent chiropractor decided it was time to order x-rays. After getting my results back and being told there was only a slight irregularity I decided to get a second and third opinion. On May 8th, 2020 I found out that I had a broken back. My L5 S1 was in bad shape. My spine moved 8mm from standing position to laying down. I was told 1-2mm is significant. 

after receiving this news I was told it would besafest not to work as any sort of physical activity could create bigger problems. I was told the fact that I was able to up until that point was remarkable. 

After learning I would be out of work for a minimum of 6 weeks after surgery I started to explore options to help my family to get through this hard time financially. I applied for every assistance I was presented with and turned down every time. It was very frustrating and soul crushing at times. I had debated not having the surgery just because I couldn’t afford to be out of work so long. 

My first surgery date was for May 24th, 2020. My insurance denied my surgery because I had been a smoker and needed to be nicotine free for this surgery because none fusions will not take if you smoke. In order to get it approved I went 14 days with no smoking, took a nicotine test and resubmitted my claim. By this time I had been out of work for a month and a half still with no options financially.

My surgery was finally approved and the date was set for June 26th, 2020. I was thrilled thatthe ball was finally rolling on things. The morning of the 26th I finally had my spinal fusion. Everything went fantastic! I was up and walking that same day and was doing so well that I was sent home the following day! I was very excited to stay on track and get back to life as usual as quick as I could as I had bills constantly lingering in my mind. 

Two days after my surgery things took a very scary turn. I was having seizures, double vision, narcolepsy, confusion and hallucinations. I wastaken to the ER the evening of the 28th and found out that the medication combination I was sent home with was what was causing these symptoms. After 6 hours on no meds I was almost completely back to normal. I was happy to be going back home and getting back on track with my recovery. 

This, however, didn’t last long. The following morning I was up and walking, making breakfast,getting ready for my day all by myself and feeling great. I returned to bed to rest. At about 10am I felt a huge pop in my back where I had had my surgery. Almost instantly I had shooting pain down both legs and my feet went numb. My friend who was staying with me called 911and I was transferred to Sanford hospital by ambulance.  I was admitted immediately.

I have now been in the hospital since June 29th, 2020. I have had some of the most amazing neurologists working with me! I have also had lots of tests done. MRIs and CTs. With my right leg gaining strength and feeling back and becoming pain free, they were surprised that my left leg was actually getting worse. My left leg has constant pain (7/10 at best on the pain scale), numbness and I’m unable to move it. Including my ankle, foot and toes. 

The Drs suggested injections and PT so that’s what we did. The injections have not worked and PT has been great but with no improvement. I am currently bedridden and need a walker if I do get up. My team of Drs are working hard to figure out what is happening and how to fix it. 

In the meantime I have been worrying more and more about bills. I have been lucky enough to have some friends and family lend a helping hand but I just still haven’t been able to come close to what I need to get by. With rent, car payment, insurance payment, utilities and even basic needs I just haven’t been able to cut it. 

It is not easy for me to reach out to anyone and ask for help. So starting a go fund me page has been a hard decision and I feel ashamed. But sometimes we have to put our pride aside and say “I need help”. I need to keep my family afloat through this unsure time in my life however I can. My girls need a roof over their heads when this is all said and done! I have no way of knowing when or if theDrs will figure out what’s wrong and how to fixit. Until then I am asking for just anything you could spare. 

As I said, it is not easy asking for help but I’m quite literally out of options. So I ask you to please help if you can. If not for me than for my two daughters. And even if you have nothing to give you can still help by sharing my link. 

With great humility in my heart, please.