<div>Update (original info below):
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<div>I'm so grateful for what people have shared. Here is a sample of how the money raised will be used:
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<div><strong>$10-25</strong> is a great help for groceries (protein shakes, juice, soft things as the anterior surgery makes it <em>very</em> hard to swallow) and other food things as I don't really have access to a meal train, etc. It also helps get me to and from the surgery and post-op Dr appointments.
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<div><strong>$25-50</strong> helps with prescription and materials (I don't have insurance at the moment), and can help me obtain a microwave (which feels important for the surgery), some household things needed after the move like trash cans/lamps (our apartment doesn't have overheard lights) or surgery (grabber since I can't bend down, certain things to help get up given the neck collar, etc).
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<div><strong>$50-100</strong> helps cover some of the work I'll miss (most people with this surgery/condition miss 4-8 weeks, which I financially couldn't do - I'd like to have time to heal but I know I'll need to work). This would include electric bill, transportation - and strangely enough, help putting together the beds for the kids and I (we recently moved and I can't put them together).
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<div><strong>$100-200+</strong> obviously helps with the big items (like rent), access to a phone, covering some of the immediate costs of the surgery, labs, hospital stay (it's overnight) and beginning my payment plan (which is expected to cost <em>$38,000</em>)
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<div>As you can see - every amount is helpful and appreciated.
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<div>My original post includes the following (slightly updated):
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<div><strong>I need an important surgery - quickly - to address a major medical condition that my neurosurgeon said could result in paralysis and is considered life-threatening.</strong>
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<div>A couple of weeks after taking the video above (the joy of watching my kids enjoy fireworks), I shared an update with a few friends: "Both my legs went numb. It's so weird. Right arm hurts but it's not the same." It was late and right before bed. When I woke up, the numbness wasn't there - but it returned the next night. In the weeks since then, <strong>the numbness became more consistent and spread to my entire right side (and pretty much below the waist). </strong>
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<div>At this point, it's hard to write using a pen or hold onto my phone. Trips to the ER showed lesions and a problem with my spinal cord - due to a lack of blood, it's weakened and that is causing significant nerve damage. I'm past the point of physical therapy, I was told. <strong>The doctor also said that the surgery is not expected to restore function. Already this is leading to breathing problems, which becomes the primary concern beyond paralysis</strong> - that respiratory problems are what lead to death in patients with "myelomalacia" (my diagnosis - if you, like me, had never heard of this - <a href="https://theutopianlife.com/2018/07/27/understanding-and-treating-myelomalacia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">this link</a> has felt like a fairly accurate and comprehensive read).
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<div>As much as I'm used to staying steady and able to remain calm through difficulty, this is different. <em>This is scary, frightening stuff.</em>
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<div>If I were in a position to, I would've had the surgery in August but I asked to hold off because I couldn't see how to do it and afford to live, especially as I had to move on 9/30.  Thanks to people who gave early, I was able to get through that move (it's not quite complete - but I would've been so much deeper without your kindness and generosity).
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<div>I keep trying to work as hard as I can (employment, moving, and taking care of my health) - but the law of diminishing returns means this is getting worse and worse (here in my last week before surgery, I'm really hurting but I'm trying to get to 52-56 hours as it'll basically be my last way to earn money. I have 1.5 days of PTO available, which is basically the day of surgery and the day I'll be released as it's inpatient - and people expect it to take 4-8 weeks before I can drive or work. <strong>The doctor said that a literal misstep could lead to paralysis and encouraged me to get this done now </strong>- and yet I'm without a safety net and I am trying to get by, to pull this off and I'm not able to do so. I'm without insurance or savings - like many others, I'm holding things together with a wing and a prayer.
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<div><strong>Thank you for reading this.</strong>
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<div>If you're able to donate, to share this with others, and/or to think of me and send me whatever positive vibes, prayers, or memes you've got - know that words can't ever express my appreciation and yet - I am so deeply grateful.
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Anonymous

Tracey Robinson-Harris

Cheri L Cody

Camille Reynaud

Melodie Feather

Sherry Warren

Victoria Mitchell

Ken Beldon

Wes Key

Jonalu Johnstone

Erika Simon

Help Prevent Paralysis: Support Critical Surgery

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Help Prevent Paralysis: Support Critical Surgery

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