Help with CSF leak surgery

Hello, my Friends! I need help.

I find it difficult to write this request.

As many of you may know, in the past five years I’ve struggled with cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leaks. My case is rare and difficult to operate on, therefore I had to travel to Cedar Sinai in West Hollywood to find a surgeon who can perform the surgeries I need. In the past 4 years we went 6 times for surgery.

I was last fixed a year ago in July and life has been heavenly since. Well, until about a month ago when the symptoms returned. Once again I can no longer stand upright, my memory fails me, I constantly feel like passing out (though I never do), I have little to no energy. All this because I sprouted yet another leak. This means we’re back to the drawing board. We need to go back to get yet another surgery.

These surgeries are very expensive, because they are so very specialized and difficult to perform. I am fortunate enough to have health insurance and still we are extremely burdened financially. I am still making monthly payments on the previous surgeries (close to $700/month) and now we will have to add more to it.

The expenses add up quickly with travel, hotel (10 to 14 days at a time) for both Patti and I, Uber, food, and the deductible. Patti always has to take unpaid FMLA, yet another hit on our income. At this point I still owe close to $20,000 after making monthly payments for nearly 5 years.

Emotionally, surprisingly enough, I am holding up pretty well, but I constantly keep running numbers in my head trying to figure out how to make ends meet.

I keep telling myself that I should be able to make enough money to cover my own expenses. The reality is, I don’t.

If you can help at all, I thank you. In any case, please send some good juju my way. I can use all the positive, healing thoughts!!