Paula's Medical Fund

I’ve worked in healthcare most of my career -- as a physical therapist and acupuncturist -- helping people heal from their pain and alignment problems. Until recently, I was fortunate to be blessed with good health so I could focus my energy on helping my patients. Until this year. In March, I underwent "routine" hip replacement surgery. Unfortunately, it has turned out to be anything but routine. During my recovery, I was off my leg and using crutches for five weeks while I healed. Being self-employed, if I’m not working, I have no income. I did plan for this and was optimistic about returning to work in a reasonable amount of time. 

That was not to be the case. Once I was off crutches and started walking on my own, I was completely pain-free for a month, but then began to have excruciatingly painful spasms in my hip joint. An MRI, uncovered that the screws in my hip socket component were jutting into my hip flexor muscles. I was forced to undergo a second, unplanned surgery in August, less than 5 months after the first surgery, to remove the screws. During that second surgery, my doctor decided to change the natural angle of my hip joint. I was once again off work for seven weeks and only able to return to work on a reduced schedule.

As a result of the change in my natural hip alignment, I continue to have excruciating pain, my pelvis is unstable and shifted. When I walk it is very painful and the uneven pelvic alignment is causing a severe scoliosis along my spine. This second “corrective” surgery has further restricted my ability to walk distances and work. I have been unable to return to work full time or return to my normal life.

I am now faced with medical bills for both of these surgeries on top of my normal expenses to keep my practice space open with a very reduced income. I am also facing extensive physical therapy to manage my chronic pain and enable me to be able to walk and work. Once my hip fully heals, I will need to find a different surgeon who can try to correct the physical problems i have aquired as a result of the "corrective" surgery. 

I try to keep my spirits up, since I know how important a positive attitude is to health and healing, but my financial pressures weigh me down almost as much as my physical pain. That is why I am asking for help with these financial burdens. It’s very difficult to ask for this kind of help, but I feel like I have to pursue all avenues to help me get better so I can take back my life from the physical nightmare of this year. I know we all are facing many challenges, but I’m hoping you can find it in your heart to help me financially in any way that you are comfortable. Your donation will only be used for medical bills. I am not looking for any help to subsidize my living expenses, only to pay down the unforeseen medical debt I’ve accumulated as a result of my second, unplanned surgery and inability to work full time.  Due to both surgeries,  half of 2015 so far has been spent not working, and the other half at 30% capacity. I will be forever grateful for any support no matter how small.