I’m setting up this GoFundMe account to help my sister-in-law, Renae Hard, pay for out-of-pocket surgical expenses for her much needed back surgery. Here’s her story:

Over a decade ago I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It has caused issues with my health, which included developing degenerative disc disorder. After sustaining a fall to my tailbone in 2022, it has caused non-stop pain to my tailbone and my disc was so degenerative that it was bone on bone. The treatment for this was a disc replacement in my L5 S1 spine last year. It was a very difficult surgery and recovery. Unfortunately, it did not correct the problem of constant pain. After more scans, we learned that there is still a significant amount of inflammation in that region. I’ve had 3 sets of steroid injections, and I’ve been in physical therapy for almost a year with no improvement. The inflammation is causing the nerves in my spine to be pinched. In conjunction with the fibromyalgia, my nerves are flared-up and I am at a level 5 on the pain scale all day every day and it usually gets worse throughout the day. This prevents me from doing things that I need to do to be able to work and take care of myself and my family. I can’t sit for long periods, nor can I walk for long. After speaking with the surgeon, she recommended a newer procedure called T.O.P.S. This procedure trims some of the bone that’s currently impinging on the nerves and adds a spongy type of material to act like a shock absorber in the affected area of my sacral spine, thus taking pressure off the nerves. This procedure is more commonly done in other countries, but, unfortunately, is too new in the U.S. for the insurance industry to generally cover it. We’ve submitted it to my insurance company and they denied without the possibility of appeal.

I don’t have the funds for this procedure and can’t work because of the problem. I‘ve been living with my parents since the tragic loss of my teenage daughter a few years ago, and am grateful for being able to stay here while I figure out my health issues. Given the constant discomfort, I am lying down most of the day.

I enjoy doing things like being outside adventuring, going on road trips with my kids, and spending time with loved ones. This has made it difficult for me to get out of bed, and has negatively affected my mental health. I am unable to get SSDI to help cover this and have been denied several times. I need my quality of life back!

The goal amount includes:

Surgeon, anesthesiologist, and surgical facility

Trips from Fresno to Beverly Hills where the specialist is that will perform the procedure

Post-op prescriptions. The surgery will be 9/30. 

If you are willing to help, any amount toward this surgery would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to read my story.