Help Korbin with Knee Surgery Recovery
This January, I slipped on some ice and dislocated my kneecap. I previously dislocated my kneecap in 2011, and although the physician at the time noted I had "loose joints," it was only after this second dislocation that I was tested and found likely to have joint hypermobility. This means that the connective tissue in some of my joints is stretchier than usual, leading to injuries such as dislocations. Additionally, my surgeon stated that my previous surgery did little to correct the first injury, so it was only a matter of time.
I underwent a reconstruction surgery in late January in which my right hamstring was stripped in order to create a new ligament to hold my kneecap in place. This ligament was anchored in my kneecap and leg bones with extensive drilling. Understandably, the recovery is quite painful at first and takes a while. The expected recovery period lasts 6-9 months at least, which is full of physical therapy, pain, and limited mobility.
Although my insurance paid some of the costs and I applied for financial assistance, I still have over $2,000 in medical debt and several months of physical therapy ahead of me, which will cause this amount to grow. My largest outstanding bills are to anesthesia services, the surgery center, and radiological services, which are not covered by financial assistance and have payment plans that are too numerous and costly for me.
The past few years have been difficult, medically speaking. In 2019, I was hospitalized for several days due to sepsis (caused by recurring tonsil infections). The following Christmas Eve, I had a tonsillectomy and literally died on the operating table; my body reacted negatively to the anti-paralytic that was administered to me, which required overnight hospitalization and observation, as well as heart tests to rule out cardiac issues/damage. Over the course of a year, I was able to file (multiple times) for financial assistance to cover what my insurance wouldn't. Nevertheless, I still had to pay a few thousand dollars, which is quite a bit of money for me.
Earlier this year I also had to move and replace many items (mattress, bedding, etc.) after my apartment flooded twice within 24 hours during the major winter storm that hit many parts of the country. My summer finances are already strained as I am graduating from my graduate program this May and will be starting a new graduate program this fall, so my (already low) income will be even more inconsistent this summer as I transition between programs and jobs.
I could really use some help right now. I really appreciate your support!
ABOUT ME:
My name is Korbin and I'm currently wrapping up my MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Kansas. I'm a first-generation student from a working class family of farmers in rural Missouri. In the fall I'll be continuing my studies at the University of Kansas in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. I want to be a professor of comparative literature, rhetoric, creative writing...anything related to words and meaning!