My name is Robin Smith. A friend of mine suggested I sign up with GoFundMe to help me financially and emotionally as I heal from a second back surgery. This is difficult for me to do. I work hard at taking care of myself. I don't like having to ask for help. Unfortunately, this is beyond my control. Below is my story and situation. I'm adding more to my story. Last week I tripped and fell flat on my cement patio. That fall led to a fractured pinkie on my left hand and a fractured elbow on my right arm. I am not supposed to drive, lift anything heavier than 5lbs, and must wear a brace for my finger and a sling for my elbow. This leaves me the inability to Door Dash to bring in money.

Thank you to those who have donated. I am half-way to my goal. If you wouldn't mind sharing this with others, I would really appreciate it.

I am a single senior woman. Many years ago, I was diagnosed with degenerative disks. I figured it was no big deal since my whole body started degenerating as an adult. After 30 years of never thinking about it, my life changed in a few hours. I came home from work feeling very tired, so I took a nap. When I woke up, my right calf hurt so bad. There was no position that made it stop hurting. I called to talk to an advice nurse. She told me to go to the ER if I needed to. I decided to try to go to sleep. An hour or so went by, and the pain was getting worse. I called the advice nurse back and told her I was going to the ER. I was able to hold on to walls to get to my car. By the time I was at my car, my entire right leg was searing with pain. Luckily, I could drive the 1/2 mile to the hospital. As I sat in my car, the reality hit me that there was no way I could walk into the ER. I couldn't put total weight on that leg. I had to lean on something for each step. I got out of the car and started the painful journey. I had to lean on each car, knowing there would be a last car and then a long walk into the facility. I had no idea how I was going to do that with nothing to hold on to. A sweet lady saw me crying and trying to walk. She went and got a wheelchair for me.

I was told it was sciatica, which I knew it wasn't. Within a week and a half, miraculously, I was able to see a new primary care doctor, get an updated MRI, and meet with a neurosurgeon. I had major back/spine issues going on. Nerves were being crushed, and I needed surgery.

Luckily, my community has walkers people can borrow. I used a walker for two months before the surgery, and then a few months afterward. I graduated to a cane and have been appliance-free for 3-4 months. During this time since the surgery, I have fallen three times. Each time my back hurts more and more. My leg has stayed numb throughout the year since the surgery. I finally went back to my doctor and asked if I could see a different neurosurgeon to see what is going on with my back. Sadly, the MRI shows no improvement from the MRI before the surgery. That means, I need to have surgery again.

Because of being single, I had to get back to work as soon as I could. I take some responsibility for the lack of correct healing because of having to get back to work in order to pay my bills. I DoorDash and am a substitute teacher at a local high school. I was back to work within three weeks, working full-time between the two jobs. DoorDash is great! I love doing it. The problem is the bending, twisting, lifting, and turning that it entails. These are the four moves that one is not supposed to do for at least three months after surgery.

So, why am I asking others for help? I realize I need the time to heal without the pressure of how am I going to live? School will be out for two months, so I can't substitute. DoorDash is too hard on my body. I am gearing up to become a drone pilot, which pays good money without the wear and tear on my body.

The doctor says recovery time will take at least three months. I need to take as much time as I can to heal this time. I do not want to have a third surgery in the future.

Thank you for your compassion and kindness. There are so many good people in the world. I have been blessed to have so many of them in my life.