Help with Lexi's ROAD TO RECOVERY!

GOD WILL PROVIDE – Phillipians 4:19

To our family and friends . . . this page was not created lightly or hastily but over the last three months our lives have changed drastically, especially for Lexi.

In December 2021, Lexi underwent scans for a shoulder dislocation. After diagnostic testing confirmed a labral tear in her left shoulder, she began treatment, including injections and physical therapy. This treatment yielded little to no improvement as we began the month of February. Surgery was then scheduled on February 15, 2022. The surgery itself was a success but it was the unexpected and very rare turn that followed. Lexi was diagnosed with the most severe case of acute Complex Regional Pain Syndrome seen by our team of physicians, especially in a 22-year-old patient.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome --- what is that? It is a broad term describing excess and prolonged pain and inflammation in the nerves and joints following an injury. It is explained best as burning, stabbing, and shooting pain accompanied by the inability to move and function normally from day to day. The pain results in a convulsive behavior as she is at times unable to control the pain. It is exhausting and confusing all at the same time, not just for Lexi but for her family and friends as well. According to the Pain Index, the pain associated with CRPS is listed above both “unprepared childbirth" and "amputation."

Following the surgery, Lexi spent over a week in the hospital to control the pain and swelling caused by this syndrome. She began taking medication and was followed by a neurologist and pain management specialist as well as her orthopedic surgeon to carefully monitor the recovery of her initial injury. There was little to no improvement. It was a very unexpected diagnosis for someone her age. It has become impossible over the last few months for her to continue life as normal. The nerve pain she has been experiencing in her shoulder, arm and upper body are excruciating. After several expensive and very recent increased emergency room visits (three visits in just the last week prior to inpatient admission), MRI’s, standard doctor appointments, and upcoming specialists we feel that we are on the right path.

Lexi has been admitted to the hospital once again as of last Tuesday, May 24, and we have multiple NEW specialists scheduling including a neuromuscular physician and team of physicians at UT Southwest in Dallas, TX, that specialize in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome to assist in her recovery. She has been unable to work since February.

Lexi has a long road ahead of her, but we all remain strong in FAITH and PRAYER. Our family asks you to keep Lexi in your prayers, but many have asked how they can contribute. We appreciate the prayers more than ever and again GOD WILL PROVIDE, but if you do feel lead to help, our family and Lexi appreciates it more than you will ever know.