Support Bella’s stay at Boston Children’s hospital

Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out asking for help for my daughter. Her name is Bella. She is 15 years old. Two months ago, she started telling me she was in pain in her lower back and leg. I brought her to her primary care doctor, and they ordered an X-ray. A few days later, the doctor called with the results. Her L5 vertebra is fused to her hip. She has one big bone, basically. She also has narrowing of the spine and degenerative disc disease. Then we had an ER visit two weeks later because the pain was becoming unbearable. She is also losing mobility and now has numbness. The ER doctor ordered an MRI. Before the MRI results, the ER doctor looked at her X-ray and said her back looks like that of a 55-year-old woman. Bella got the MRI done three days later. This shows she has a herniated disc as well as the other issues. The disc is hitting the nerves. My daughter is in so much pain and very anxious. Her doctor referred her to four doctors in the state of Maine, and no one will see her. Her primary referred her to Boston Children’s Hospital. She has an appointment on July 14th at 2:30 pm. It is 3 hours and 5 minutes away. I have talked to the insurance company and also the ride service for mile reimbursement. I'm reaching out because I need help to help my daughter. I can’t afford this, and the guilt and heartache I feel for her is unbearable. The insurance company helps with hotel and food vouchers, but it has to be planned 60 days in advance. The mile reimbursement also takes time. They have 30 days to approve or deny the trip. While I’m relieved Boston was able to get her in so quickly, it didn’t give me enough time to plan. I have limited income myself, and I do my best. If you could please find it in your heart to help in any way, Bella and I would be so grateful. Please help me give her relief. She is going to see a pediatric neurosurgeon.

If you could please read, share, and donate. Thank you for reading.

Kristen