Save an L5 disc. PrayersTopPriority!
This hardware hurts often.
1 Corinthians 12:26
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
I am attempting to avoid another major fusion. This has been a very long battle. Over the last 9 years, and 4 major surgeries, I currently have lumbar discs L3-4, 4-5 fused, L5-S1 is in good shape. My SI joints are fused by 6 bolts. The facet joints at L5-S1 are gone. My surgeon of 9 years, Dr. Vikas Patel MD, Chief Orthopedic Surgeon/Professor at University of Colorado Hospital, credentials at the following. This is one of the countries foremost spinal specialists!
He scheduled me for an L5-S1 fusion with 4 screws, 2 rods, and a large spacing bolt, that would destroy the L5-S1 disc, which is in good shape. That was last April 26, 2017.
Two weeks before the surgery I was contacted by Dr. Ryan Helms D.C. Castle Rock Colorado, an amniotic (NOT EMBRYONIC) Stem cell specialist, only minutes from me. After reviewing a fresh MRI, he concluded that I would have an 80% chance of success, re-growing new facet joints. I confirmed this through a second stem cell provider. So for $5600.00, WHAT HAS BEEN TRASH, IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES, GOD, HID A TREASURE, FOR THE 21ST CENTURY! I could possibly save that disc and return to part time work.
At my previously scheduled pre-op visit with Dr. Patel, he concluded that amniotic (NOT fetal/embryonic) stem cell therapy, is a better alternative for my condition, than conventional surgery. In the event it fails, he would stand by me, prepared to re-schedule me (letter of commitment on record).
I began seaching for funding within my own rescources, to no avail. I have been (regrettfully) on SSDI all this time. I live on $1043 per month, in my own home. God has generously, provided for all my needs. I have want for nothing. I know contentment, peace and joy, that pain cannot steal. I, as a man of faith, it is my hope and desire to avoid this surgery, as long as that disc remains in tact. Medicare will not cover it. Swallowing my pride I came here, to ask you, family, friends, brothers and sisters, my fellow Americans, to help me save this disc, and the expensive Medicare surgery, not to mention all the side effects of such an invasive proceedure.
About me, I am 57, with 2 children 21, and 28. I am a member, and community volunteer, of over 25 years, in assorted, and many various venues. I currently serve weekly, at Fellowship Community Church in Centennial CO. I've never had a profession, I didn't love. Not working is killing me, (morphine doesn't help). Being disabled, dealing with chronic pain, when I wake, even through many nights. Please Jesus, this must come to an end. I've even developed, my own line of spinal decompression equipment (endorsed for my use by Dr. Patel), that has been saving all remaining discs, to stop this cycle.
To those at FCC and my family here, please visit myself or my champion and trustee Gloria Reed. She can be found in the church directory. If you are an attendee, or member there and would like to donate without fees, contributions can be made through her!
Thank you, and God Bless You, for taking the time for considering my request. Your prayers are coveted above all! If even just the price of a cup of coffee is a hardship I would rather not have it!
With God all things are possible
Vinny
Organizer and beneficiary
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