Joe's Lumbar Discectomy is COMPLETE!

[Update (22.06.24): On Thursday 20th June Joe had his operation and was told it went well! He has now been discharged from hospital, and is resting and recovering at home. A massive thank you to those who have shown continued love, support, and patience over the last year. It means the world.

[Update (08.02.24): Apologies for the silence, and a huge thank you to everyone's patience and support. In September last year (shortly after the last update) Joe had a major set back when his surgeon discovered he had a hip labral tear, on top of his Cauda Equina Syndrome. He wasn't comfortable operating on his back until that was strengthened. The hip is the load bearer of the body and if it can't support Joes weight his back pain wouldn't get any better. As you can imagine this was incredibly frustrating, upsetting, and stressful for Joe. And a roadblock no one (especially him) wanted.

But now, thanks to all the physio he has been undergoing these months, his hip has strengthened itself! And after visiting today, the Dr is happy to go ahead with the surgery (and give a date) once he receives an updated MRI scan. To make sure there are no other surprise complications or risks.

Thank you all once again for your continued patience and love. I'll update again once he has the date. We're almost there!]

[Update: WE DID IT! Thank you all so much for your support, and making this fundraiser a success. It's been nothing short of spectacular!

Neurosurgeon consultation August 16th, procedure date to follow.

This page will remain up until Joe has had the operation, to provide updates to you all.

There has also been interest from people to continue supporting Joe through the six-week recovery period while he is out of work. This is completely optional, and your choice to do so. We recommend his Paypal for that, but here is fine also.

Thank you all once again! You're nothing short of amazing!]

Hi my name is Daz, and I'm creating this fundraiser on behalf of my best friend Joe, who is in need on a Lumbar Discectomy. Those who know me, know Joe, and who are a part of our community, know that Joe has been in a lot of pain recently. That is due to a rare, time-sensitive, major type of spinal stenonis he has called Cauda Equina Syndrome. This is where all the nerves in the lower back become severely compressed, causing sciatica down his legs, and eventually complete loss of function to all of his lower extremities. Even more recently, Necrosis (the death of body tissue) has started to form in his quad due to the pinching of his nerves, which is slowly killing his left leg.

Why I'm asking for peoples urgent help is because the NHS wait times don't give Joe a fighting chance, he doesn't have any other avenue of aid or support, and Private becomes his one and only option with the Lumbar Discectomy surgery. The operation for which aims to decompress his L3 and L5 nerves, which are the nerves currently bulging and leading to his condition.

This is a HUGE ask, and I don't ask it lightly. Any and all support people can offer Joe would mean the world to him, as well as give him that chance he needs to rid himself of the pain he is in, and potentially prevent complete loss of function in his lower extremities.

Thank You!