Geordie and his Spine need your Support!
Donation protected
中文版在下方
Chinese version included down below
Geordie and his Spine need your Support!
He goes by the name of Wai Wah or Geordie and became known as the G-Man over the years. Most of us know him to be a true force of nature whether outdoors or at work, plowing ahead no matter the scale of the challenge or degree of difficulties, making it look easy while the rest of us are still tying our shoes up. His heart is the size of the mountains he climbs. A loving husband and dedicated father of 4 beautiful kids, always ready to help a neighbour or volunteer his time with a rescue team to bring relief where needed, he will often put others wellbeing before his.
Geordie is the most resilient and positive man that I have ever met. He has escaped and survived a few traumatic events such as a violent water buffalo attack in Yangshuo, being kidnapped and tortured for 3 days in China, and being stuck for 18 hours in a blizzard at 17000 feet altitude while climbing an open face on Mount Denali in Alaska. But he always came back from it. With a grin on his face and a new story to share.
And just recently he had to face the scariest curve ball life had in stock for him so far.
BACKSTORY
About 4 weeks ago, an old cervical spine hernia (C5) degenerated to the point of causing severe spinal cord compression.
For the record, Geordie has a very high threshold to pain and rarely complains but he then started mentioning unusual symptoms, saying his left arm was getting weak and numb. A few days later his left leg was weak as well. These red flags took us to a doctor who said he thought Geordie was having a stroke and we should go to an emergency room right away. Panicked we went and after few days of doing tests and meeting with different specialists, the MRI results finally came in and confirmed what we were already suspecting. His neck condition had badly deteriorated.
A healthy spinal cord has an average diameter of 13mm at C5, his was down to 2.9mm because of the hernia at that level. The orthopedist that gave us the results was obviously distraught and basically told us that no one could fix this in Macau. We were sent home with a neck collar. Without any other assistance.
At that point Geordie couldn’t walk on his own anymore, slowly losing control of both legs, he barely slept and was in constant pain saying his body was turning into wood, from the chest down to his toes. We were alarmed and scared. We had to get him out of Macau as soon as possible.
We sent his MRI results right away to a spine specialist in Hong Kong, Doctor Chow from Asia Medical Specialists who had diagnosed his cervical hernia years before. Few hours later we were on the phone with him. He said to us that his condition was critical and surgery his best option as he was very close to becoming fully paralyzed would any further damage occur. He advised that Geordie went to Hong Kong as soon as he could. Hanging by a thread, he reached Hong Kong the next day and had an emergency surgery 2 days later on Monday February 22nd. Surgery was difficult but Doctor Chow managed to perform the procedure with success and stop the damage from progressing any further.
RECOVERY
Geordie woke up the next day with some of the symptoms gone and some still present. While getting some pain relief from the surgery and the spinal cord decompression, some of the pre-op numbness and muscular deficiencies hadn’t changed. He was still weak on his legs and couldn’t walk without assistance.
It could take at least 3 months before we have a better picture of the recovery extent. Complete, partial or very limited.
Now 2 weeks post-op as I’m writing this, he has made some slow but reassuring progress. He is using crutches for the time being but can’t travel far without needing a rest, and not being allowed to pick up weight or carry even a small backpack will add to the challenging journey ahead. The recovery will be a lesson of patience for Geordie, forcing him to take it slow, one day at a time, over the following months.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
This ordeal has put great financial burden on the family and we are now asking for your help and support.
Back in late January 2021, both Geordie and myself lost our jobs in Macau due to COVID and with it went our medical coverage. I have tried for weeks to source insurance for us, but for Geordie and his pre-existing condition (cervical hernia) it was impossible to find full coverage. So, we ended up having to pay out of pocket for the surgery. We have had to put all our savings into this with additional sums borrowed from friends and loaners. With Geordie unable to work for an undetermined period of time and me working on getting the family out of Macau, the next year offers a rather unsettling reality for us and the kids.
The money raised with this GoFundMe will help to pay for the surgery which was 608,617.00 HKD just in itself (about 100,000.00 CAD) and rehabilitation fees including the physiotherapy he will need in the upcoming months.
The funds will also help with his living expenses while recovering in Hong Kong and his 3 weeks quarantine when he comes back home in Macau.
And finally, part of that relief will be used to support the family with our delayed exit from Macau and until I can find some work.
Many people have reached out to us already, offering help in so many ways and we are very moved by this. It has made a huge difference knowing how strong our community from all over the world is and we can’t thank you enough for being there.
Geordie is one of a kind and I hope with all my heart that he returns to the world full force so we can all benefit from his greatness and super powers.
You can also help by sharing the fundraiser link to your social media page!
From the bottom of our heart, thank you!
Eve (Geordie’s wife)
Geordie 和他的脊椎需要你的支持!
認識他的朋友都叫他偉華或Geordie，又或者稱他為“ G-Man”。 無論在戶外抑或工作中遇到多大的挑戰和困難，當我們所有人都在手忙腳亂的時候，他都總是從容不迫，仿佛擁有著與生俱來的自然力量，輕鬆跨過難關。
他的心胸就如他所爬的山一樣廣闊，他既是一個充滿愛的丈夫，又是四個漂亮孩子無私的父親，總是隨時準備好幫助朋友、鄰居，甚至自願參與救援隊到有需要的地方提供協助，處處先為別人著想，把自己放到最後。
Geordie是我見過最有韌性和正面樂觀的人。 他曾經歷過不少我們都難以想像的創傷，例如在陽朔被水牛襲擊、在中國被綁架折磨整整3天、在阿拉斯加攀登Mount Denali時遇到暴風雪，被困於海拔17000英尺18小時。但他總是可以渡過難關安全歸來，笑著跟大家分享他的新故事。
但老天爺就是喜歡惡作劇，最近他遇上數十年來最可怕的一刻。
背景
大約3星期前，他的頸椎椎間盤突出（C5）舊患退化加劇，嚴重壓迫到脊髓。
Geordie一向都很能忍受痛楚，甚少抱怨疼痛，但最近他身體開始出現異常狀況，左臂變得無力甚至麻痺。幾天後，他的左腳也開始變得無力。身體狀況響起警號，我們趕緊去見醫生，醫生認為Geordie中風，需立即進行緊急治療。我們被嚇得驚慌失措，經過幾天的檢驗及聽取了不同專科醫生的意見，終於MRI的結果證實了症狀是他頸椎的狀況已經嚴重惡化引起。
正常健康的（C5) 脊髓平均直徑是13mm，由於椎間盤突出的關係，他的（C5) 脊髓的直徑只有2.9mm。他的骨科醫生根本束手無策，只說澳門沒有任何醫生有能力醫治他，亦沒有提供其他支援，給他一個頸箍就著我們回家。
這時Geordie的情況已嚴重到不能行動自如，慢慢開始不能控制雙腿的活動，他全身上下都疼痛到無法熟睡，還說感覺身體要從胸部開始慢慢變成木頭。 我眼看著他受苦，非常徬徨無助，只知必須盡快把他送離澳門。
於是我們立刻將他的MRI結果送到香港＂亞洲專科醫生診所＂數年前為他診斷出過椎間盤突出問題的脊椎專科周醫生的手上，並在幾個小時後和周醫生通上電話。 他說Geordie 的情況非常危急，手術是最好的選擇，建議Geordie盡快到香港。 在命懸一線的情況下，他第二天就回到香港，並在兩日後即2月22日星期一接受了緊急手術。 手術困難度十分高，但周醫生成功地完成手術，阻止了他的情況進一步惡化。
復原
第二天，Geordie醒過來，之前的症狀有些消失了但有些仍然存在。 手術已為脊髓減壓及緩解了一些身體的疼痛，但手術前的麻痺感和肌肉乏力的情況並沒有改善，他雙腳仍然很虛弱，不能在沒有協助下行走。
康復程度終究是完全恢復、部分恢復抑或非常有限度地恢復，可能需要3個月後才能掌握。
我撰寫這段文字時已是手術完成後的一周，他亦有緩慢但令人安心的進展。 雖然他暫時仍然需要使用拐杖，但每天都能比前一天行走得遠一點。 這個康復過程對Geordie的耐性是一大的考驗，迫使他放慢腳步，一步一步過接下來的日子。
您可以如何幫助
這場磨難給我們這家庭帶來了非常沉重的經濟負擔，因此我們希望得到你的幫助和支持。
在1月底，Geordie和我都因為疫情失去了我們在澳門工作，醫療保險也隨之而去。我在過去數星期一直嘗試尋找保險上的協助，但由於Geordie先前已有的病情（頸椎椎間盤突出），根本沒有保險公司願意全面承保。為了付手術費，我們不但花光所有的積蓄，更向朋友和借貸借了錢。
Geordie可能會有一段長時間無法工作，同時我們正努力希望把一家人搬離澳門，這實在令我們這一年的狀況雪上加霜。
在這GoFundMe籌集得來的資金將會用來支付港幣608,617（約10萬加幣）的手術費、他在香港康復期間的生活費用，以及協助支付未來幾個月復康及物理治療費。
最後，一部分將會用於支持家庭開支，直到我找到工作。
有很多朋友已經主動與我們聯繫，以各種方式協助，我們實在非常感動，同時我們深深感受這個來自世界各地的朋友圈有多強大，我們無法以言語形容對你們的感謝。
Geordie 如此與眾不同，我衷心希望他能康復，再以最強大的力量回歸，讓我們再次感受他的大愛。
你亦可以分享此籌款連結 XX 到您的社交媒體來支持我們！ 衷心多謝你們！
Eve （Geordie妻子)
Chinese version included down below
Geordie and his Spine need your Support!
He goes by the name of Wai Wah or Geordie and became known as the G-Man over the years. Most of us know him to be a true force of nature whether outdoors or at work, plowing ahead no matter the scale of the challenge or degree of difficulties, making it look easy while the rest of us are still tying our shoes up. His heart is the size of the mountains he climbs. A loving husband and dedicated father of 4 beautiful kids, always ready to help a neighbour or volunteer his time with a rescue team to bring relief where needed, he will often put others wellbeing before his.
Geordie is the most resilient and positive man that I have ever met. He has escaped and survived a few traumatic events such as a violent water buffalo attack in Yangshuo, being kidnapped and tortured for 3 days in China, and being stuck for 18 hours in a blizzard at 17000 feet altitude while climbing an open face on Mount Denali in Alaska. But he always came back from it. With a grin on his face and a new story to share.
And just recently he had to face the scariest curve ball life had in stock for him so far.
BACKSTORY
About 4 weeks ago, an old cervical spine hernia (C5) degenerated to the point of causing severe spinal cord compression.
For the record, Geordie has a very high threshold to pain and rarely complains but he then started mentioning unusual symptoms, saying his left arm was getting weak and numb. A few days later his left leg was weak as well. These red flags took us to a doctor who said he thought Geordie was having a stroke and we should go to an emergency room right away. Panicked we went and after few days of doing tests and meeting with different specialists, the MRI results finally came in and confirmed what we were already suspecting. His neck condition had badly deteriorated.
A healthy spinal cord has an average diameter of 13mm at C5, his was down to 2.9mm because of the hernia at that level. The orthopedist that gave us the results was obviously distraught and basically told us that no one could fix this in Macau. We were sent home with a neck collar. Without any other assistance.
At that point Geordie couldn’t walk on his own anymore, slowly losing control of both legs, he barely slept and was in constant pain saying his body was turning into wood, from the chest down to his toes. We were alarmed and scared. We had to get him out of Macau as soon as possible.
We sent his MRI results right away to a spine specialist in Hong Kong, Doctor Chow from Asia Medical Specialists who had diagnosed his cervical hernia years before. Few hours later we were on the phone with him. He said to us that his condition was critical and surgery his best option as he was very close to becoming fully paralyzed would any further damage occur. He advised that Geordie went to Hong Kong as soon as he could. Hanging by a thread, he reached Hong Kong the next day and had an emergency surgery 2 days later on Monday February 22nd. Surgery was difficult but Doctor Chow managed to perform the procedure with success and stop the damage from progressing any further.
RECOVERY
Geordie woke up the next day with some of the symptoms gone and some still present. While getting some pain relief from the surgery and the spinal cord decompression, some of the pre-op numbness and muscular deficiencies hadn’t changed. He was still weak on his legs and couldn’t walk without assistance.
It could take at least 3 months before we have a better picture of the recovery extent. Complete, partial or very limited.
Now 2 weeks post-op as I’m writing this, he has made some slow but reassuring progress. He is using crutches for the time being but can’t travel far without needing a rest, and not being allowed to pick up weight or carry even a small backpack will add to the challenging journey ahead. The recovery will be a lesson of patience for Geordie, forcing him to take it slow, one day at a time, over the following months.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
This ordeal has put great financial burden on the family and we are now asking for your help and support.
Back in late January 2021, both Geordie and myself lost our jobs in Macau due to COVID and with it went our medical coverage. I have tried for weeks to source insurance for us, but for Geordie and his pre-existing condition (cervical hernia) it was impossible to find full coverage. So, we ended up having to pay out of pocket for the surgery. We have had to put all our savings into this with additional sums borrowed from friends and loaners. With Geordie unable to work for an undetermined period of time and me working on getting the family out of Macau, the next year offers a rather unsettling reality for us and the kids.
The money raised with this GoFundMe will help to pay for the surgery which was 608,617.00 HKD just in itself (about 100,000.00 CAD) and rehabilitation fees including the physiotherapy he will need in the upcoming months.
The funds will also help with his living expenses while recovering in Hong Kong and his 3 weeks quarantine when he comes back home in Macau.
And finally, part of that relief will be used to support the family with our delayed exit from Macau and until I can find some work.
Many people have reached out to us already, offering help in so many ways and we are very moved by this. It has made a huge difference knowing how strong our community from all over the world is and we can’t thank you enough for being there.
Geordie is one of a kind and I hope with all my heart that he returns to the world full force so we can all benefit from his greatness and super powers.
You can also help by sharing the fundraiser link to your social media page!
From the bottom of our heart, thank you!
Eve (Geordie’s wife)
Geordie 和他的脊椎需要你的支持!認識他的朋友都叫他偉華或Geordie，又或者稱他為“ G-Man”。 無論在戶外抑或工作中遇到多大的挑戰和困難，當我們所有人都在手忙腳亂的時候，他都總是從容不迫，仿佛擁有著與生俱來的自然力量，輕鬆跨過難關。
他的心胸就如他所爬的山一樣廣闊，他既是一個充滿愛的丈夫，又是四個漂亮孩子無私的父親，總是隨時準備好幫助朋友、鄰居，甚至自願參與救援隊到有需要的地方提供協助，處處先為別人著想，把自己放到最後。
Geordie是我見過最有韌性和正面樂觀的人。 他曾經歷過不少我們都難以想像的創傷，例如在陽朔被水牛襲擊、在中國被綁架折磨整整3天、在阿拉斯加攀登Mount Denali時遇到暴風雪，被困於海拔17000英尺18小時。但他總是可以渡過難關安全歸來，笑著跟大家分享他的新故事。
但老天爺就是喜歡惡作劇，最近他遇上數十年來最可怕的一刻。
背景
大約3星期前，他的頸椎椎間盤突出（C5）舊患退化加劇，嚴重壓迫到脊髓。
Geordie一向都很能忍受痛楚，甚少抱怨疼痛，但最近他身體開始出現異常狀況，左臂變得無力甚至麻痺。幾天後，他的左腳也開始變得無力。身體狀況響起警號，我們趕緊去見醫生，醫生認為Geordie中風，需立即進行緊急治療。我們被嚇得驚慌失措，經過幾天的檢驗及聽取了不同專科醫生的意見，終於MRI的結果證實了症狀是他頸椎的狀況已經嚴重惡化引起。
正常健康的（C5) 脊髓平均直徑是13mm，由於椎間盤突出的關係，他的（C5) 脊髓的直徑只有2.9mm。他的骨科醫生根本束手無策，只說澳門沒有任何醫生有能力醫治他，亦沒有提供其他支援，給他一個頸箍就著我們回家。
這時Geordie的情況已嚴重到不能行動自如，慢慢開始不能控制雙腿的活動，他全身上下都疼痛到無法熟睡，還說感覺身體要從胸部開始慢慢變成木頭。 我眼看著他受苦，非常徬徨無助，只知必須盡快把他送離澳門。
於是我們立刻將他的MRI結果送到香港＂亞洲專科醫生診所＂數年前為他診斷出過椎間盤突出問題的脊椎專科周醫生的手上，並在幾個小時後和周醫生通上電話。 他說Geordie 的情況非常危急，手術是最好的選擇，建議Geordie盡快到香港。 在命懸一線的情況下，他第二天就回到香港，並在兩日後即2月22日星期一接受了緊急手術。 手術困難度十分高，但周醫生成功地完成手術，阻止了他的情況進一步惡化。
復原
第二天，Geordie醒過來，之前的症狀有些消失了但有些仍然存在。 手術已為脊髓減壓及緩解了一些身體的疼痛，但手術前的麻痺感和肌肉乏力的情況並沒有改善，他雙腳仍然很虛弱，不能在沒有協助下行走。
康復程度終究是完全恢復、部分恢復抑或非常有限度地恢復，可能需要3個月後才能掌握。
我撰寫這段文字時已是手術完成後的一周，他亦有緩慢但令人安心的進展。 雖然他暫時仍然需要使用拐杖，但每天都能比前一天行走得遠一點。 這個康復過程對Geordie的耐性是一大的考驗，迫使他放慢腳步，一步一步過接下來的日子。
您可以如何幫助
這場磨難給我們這家庭帶來了非常沉重的經濟負擔，因此我們希望得到你的幫助和支持。
在1月底，Geordie和我都因為疫情失去了我們在澳門工作，醫療保險也隨之而去。我在過去數星期一直嘗試尋找保險上的協助，但由於Geordie先前已有的病情（頸椎椎間盤突出），根本沒有保險公司願意全面承保。為了付手術費，我們不但花光所有的積蓄，更向朋友和借貸借了錢。
Geordie可能會有一段長時間無法工作，同時我們正努力希望把一家人搬離澳門，這實在令我們這一年的狀況雪上加霜。
在這GoFundMe籌集得來的資金將會用來支付港幣608,617（約10萬加幣）的手術費、他在香港康復期間的生活費用，以及協助支付未來幾個月復康及物理治療費。
最後，一部分將會用於支持家庭開支，直到我找到工作。
有很多朋友已經主動與我們聯繫，以各種方式協助，我們實在非常感動，同時我們深深感受這個來自世界各地的朋友圈有多強大，我們無法以言語形容對你們的感謝。
Geordie 如此與眾不同，我衷心希望他能康復，再以最強大的力量回歸，讓我們再次感受他的大愛。
你亦可以分享此籌款連結 XX 到您的社交媒體來支持我們！ 衷心多謝你們！
Eve （Geordie妻子)
Organizer
Eve Bernier
Organizer
Carleton-Sur-Mer, QC