Karin's Road to Recovery
Donation protected
Hello, we are the Janzen Family. Vic, Alix, Heather and Luke and we are hoping to raise funds for our wife/mom, Karin, to access much needed spinal surgery in Germany.
Karin has had Infantile Scoliosis all her life and has worn lifts on her shoes as a child, was braced for several years, and has undergone many terms of physiotherapy but has suffered with incredible pain. Even though Karin has lived with this she has been an extremely involved mother and wife. Her love for the Lord is displayed in her life daily as she follows Him with her whole heart.
Over the years the pain has steadily increased and a year ago reduced Karin to a housebound life, living most of her days going from the couch to her bed on ice packs. Even though she is on heavy medication she can currently only be vertical for about 15-30 minutes, is unable to go to church, walk more than half a block, drive, or even ride in a vehicle lying down for anything longer than a few minutes. At home she is often unable to bend down to pick things up, climb stairs, and needs help with most things. Doctors have recommended that Karin just learn to adjust to a new “style of life”, increase her meds, and have the option of surgery to fuse her lower spine once she is completely bedridden. Unfortunately, this will leave her with even less mobility and no guarantee of a reduction in her pain. Seeing her daily bouts with severe pain is so distressing to us and thinking of it becoming her new "style of life" is heartbreaking....
After much prayer and research an implant surgery was brought to our attention that is offered in Europe. Dr. Thomas Bierstedt and the team at ONZ in Germany were able to determine from her MRI that Karin has virtually no disc left at L5-S1 because of a severe wedge-shaped slant and complete instability to the vertebrae at that level. The doctors propose doing a complete removal of any shreds left of the disc and replace it with an implant that would bring the vertebrae to a horizontal plane for the first time in her life. They believe the surgery will give Karin a drastic reduction in pain and allow her to return to activities she has long not been able to take part in.
Though the great amount of $70,000 looms above our heads we are trusting in a God who says....
He will provide for Karin if it is His will for her to go to Germany, and we are so thankful for any donations. If He lays it on your heart to give in any way we praise Him, and would like to thank you in advance for your generosity, and most of all your prayers!
Much love,
Vic, Karin, Alix, Heather and Luke
Karin has had Infantile Scoliosis all her life and has worn lifts on her shoes as a child, was braced for several years, and has undergone many terms of physiotherapy but has suffered with incredible pain. Even though Karin has lived with this she has been an extremely involved mother and wife. Her love for the Lord is displayed in her life daily as she follows Him with her whole heart.
Over the years the pain has steadily increased and a year ago reduced Karin to a housebound life, living most of her days going from the couch to her bed on ice packs. Even though she is on heavy medication she can currently only be vertical for about 15-30 minutes, is unable to go to church, walk more than half a block, drive, or even ride in a vehicle lying down for anything longer than a few minutes. At home she is often unable to bend down to pick things up, climb stairs, and needs help with most things. Doctors have recommended that Karin just learn to adjust to a new “style of life”, increase her meds, and have the option of surgery to fuse her lower spine once she is completely bedridden. Unfortunately, this will leave her with even less mobility and no guarantee of a reduction in her pain. Seeing her daily bouts with severe pain is so distressing to us and thinking of it becoming her new "style of life" is heartbreaking....
After much prayer and research an implant surgery was brought to our attention that is offered in Europe. Dr. Thomas Bierstedt and the team at ONZ in Germany were able to determine from her MRI that Karin has virtually no disc left at L5-S1 because of a severe wedge-shaped slant and complete instability to the vertebrae at that level. The doctors propose doing a complete removal of any shreds left of the disc and replace it with an implant that would bring the vertebrae to a horizontal plane for the first time in her life. They believe the surgery will give Karin a drastic reduction in pain and allow her to return to activities she has long not been able to take part in.
Though the great amount of $70,000 looms above our heads we are trusting in a God who says....
He will provide for Karin if it is His will for her to go to Germany, and we are so thankful for any donations. If He lays it on your heart to give in any way we praise Him, and would like to thank you in advance for your generosity, and most of all your prayers!
Much love,
Vic, Karin, Alix, Heather and Luke
Organizer
Alix Janzen
Organizer
Winnipeg, MB
