Help Me Get my Knee, my Leg, my Life Back ♥

Hello, everyone! I’m honored you’ve taken the time to look into this page. ♥

I’m in a bit of a struggle right now. I am facing the very real possibility of not being able to enjoy the full benefit of my right knee for the entire remainder of my adult life.

Many of you probably know me as an adventurous, zealous, life-affirming character always eager to take on new activities, explore the less paved trail, be the first and last one on the dance floor, pursue the highest points on a mountain hike, giddily squirm around exciting new places, etc, etc.

Indeed, that is Me, and yet, as we speak, all of that and more is being threatened.

I could really use your help right now. This is something bigger than what I am capable of, alone.

On the first of the month of August, I was moving around my bathroom as I normally would while getting ready, when suddenly I took a wrong step that sent me into a fit of excruciating pain, unable to stand or walk as my leg lay limply at my side. The misstep ended up displacing my meniscus in a major way.

Little did I know that this was a long time coming, since I have apparently gone without an ACL for almost 20 years due to a Kung Fu injury when I was younger—and had no idea!

Here is the story of what happened next:

I went to the ER and received an X-ray; nothing abnormal appeared there.

It was when I later received MRI results that everything as I knew it had changed...

I am wearing a major bucket handle meniscus tear and completely shredded ACL.

The prognosis is complex: I will be requiring a double-surgical procedure, with a 9-month to a year recovery. This is due to the extent of my injuries. I have not walked since the first day of August, and I won’t be walking for a few months, yet. Extensive physical therapy is what will get me there.

In the days and weeks that followed this news, I spent much of my time terrified and sullen, incessantly reading about options and outcomes. That’s what got this whole process started…

I learned about how conventional meniscus surgeries are done and what that means for patients long term. Essentially, affected chunks of the meniscus end up being removed, instead of repaired. This will eventually wear down the cartilage, within 7 to 11 years typically. When that happens, I would inevitably experience osteoarthritis onset (a 99% statistical guarantee). In my early 40’s, I could already expect to have my first full knee replacement, once pain management shots lose their efficacy on me. After that, it would be a life of refining said surgery, each time coming closer to the very real possibility of a catastrophic event or other complications. My knee would be a thorn in my side, causing immense suffering through pain and limitation, more and more as time goes on, indefinitely, for the rest of my days. This is not the life that I want.

After 3 weeks of intensive research, I came across a surgeon who invented a new technique which eliminates the possibility of such an outcome. His name is Dr. Justin Saliman MD , and he is responsible for an innovative device which truly restores the meniscus. It was a no brainer that I should schedule a consultation with him on the date I was originally planning the initial surgery.

Everything went well and I was and am convinced that he is the right person in the entire world to handle this job of saving my knee long term.

The only problem is that my insurance refuses to cover any of it. Not even the knee brace or the PT required post-op, and especially not the surgery itself. I am asking for some financial help because while this is something I absolutely need, its’s also something which is not readily affordable for me right now. But I simply cannot give up on my future and the ability to walk and hike and dance freely again.

I am not posting the full amount of cumulative bills—only a fraction.*

Anything helps!

Starting this GoFundMe is not something I’d normally do, but I’ve been tremendously encouraged by family and friends to go forward with it. This situation is absolutely massive, with so much on the line and so much that I’ve been in the throes of anguish facing so that a solution may be arrived at. Finding Dr. Saliman has revealed that solution for me, but I’m not at the finish line yet. There is a long, exhaustive, challenging road ahead—but I’m ready to face it.

For those who love and care about me and wish to see me joyously living the life of my dreams, this fund is far more helpful and important than you know. This is an outlet in which you can help me in ways that surpass the physical—this is a spiritual endeavor, more than anything. I am not exaggerating when I say that my freedom of movement equates to my freedom of soul, regarding who I am as a person, and especially at the age I am now. Any donation would be TREMENDOUSLY appreciated.

Worrying about whether or not I will be able to enjoy the remainder of my life that I’ve been so passionate and inspired to fulfill fully, I’d like to think, is only a passing thing. I have so much to see and do, so much ahead. I want to get to a place where I can actualize, full of spirit, and not be hindered by pain or disability. I want my knee—my leg—my life—back again.

Thank you to all those who took the time to read this; I wish peace and blessings in the days ahead. ♡

Should anyone like to discuss this event further with me, feel more than welcome to reach out!

Love you, and take care.

Shellby ❀