Help Ruth get needed surgeries

Ruth has suffered with progressive, chronic neck and back pain for over a decade that is now severe and constant. This has left her homebound, isolated from friends and family and struggling to make it through each day. Recently, though, she has discovered a surgeon in Florida who can restore her function and quality of life through advanced laser surgery— this is Ruth’s last resort. Will you please take a moment today to support her?  Every donation, no matter how small, gets Ruth closer to her goal.  Let’s make a huge difference for Ruth, together!

Please read Ruth’s full story below.

My name is Lisa Curtis and I am blessed to know my dear friend, Ruth Chidley, for whom I am initiating this crucial fundraiser. I now reside in Colorado, but prior to this year, I lived in California, where I met Ruth.

For the past 13 years, Ruth has struggled with chronic neck and back pain that now radiates throughout her entire body. Chronic pain has resulted in sleep deprivation, progressive weakness, increasing isolation and giving up the simple pleasures of being with friends and family and pursuing her passions and serving her community. She spends her days with her beloved service dog, Cosette, and her husband, Alan, when he is not working his part-time job.  Her pain has worsened further in the last 6 months, becoming nearly unbearable at times. During these times, she wonders if she can hang on any longer. 

Ruth’s 36 neck and back surgeries have left her on a tiered pain regimen for years; this, along with the many conservative treatments she has sought, now provide little relief.  This year, she was told by a UC Davis doctor that she is no longer a candidate for any standard surgical approach to deal with her neck and back pain. Thankfully, a surgeon at the Deuk Spine Institute in Melbourne, Florida, states that he can remove the sources of her pain through advanced laser technology:  It is fully FDA compliant, has 0% complications to date (after 20 years) and has a 95-99% success rate.  Ruth has been placed on a list for potential surgery, providing the funds can be raised. Their medical insurance will not cover any costs related to these surgeries.

At this particular surgery center, minimally invasive surgery is performed, which means decreased tissue injury/inflammation and rapidly increased recovery.  Ruth would have 3 surgeries on the same day, be up walking 1 hour after each and be discharged that day. The surgeries Ruth needs are the following: 2 surgeries for multiple-level neck and low back stenosis. (Her stenosis is in the spinal canal and in the canals where the nerves exit the spine. Stenosis is a narrowing of the openings for the spinal cord and associated nerves, resulting in pinched or compressed nerves that cause constant pain);  a 3rd surgery for a plasma rhizotomy to eliminate pain from a significant bone spur in her neck.

Ruth loves God and her faith and trust in Him has kept her from serious long-term depression and thoughts of suicide; though, she is daily fighting back deep discouragement and depression. For Ruth, being able to have these surgeries means a new life physically, which would affect all other parts of her being-- she would have her quality of life restored.  Would you take a moment today to sponsor Ruth?  And, will you please share this fundraiser link with your close family and friends?

Thank you for your kindness!

Costs:  $100,000 for 3 surgeries and  $5,000 for travel, lodging and food. Ruth's husband, Alan, will be the beneficiary of all funds that are raised. If there are any unused funds, they will be returned to the appropriate donors. The fundraising goal will be set initially at a little less than half the amount needed; as funds come in, the goal will be adjusted.