Lee-Ann's 3rd Spine Surgery Survival Fund

Hey folks, my name is Lee-Ann. I'm a thirtysomething living in Ontario, Canada and I've created this GoFundMe campaign to assist with out of pocket medical expenses as I prepare to undergo my third revision spinal fusion surgery on October 24th of this year.

As many who know me are aware, I've had a hell of a time just in these last two years alone. I have an extremely severe, degenerative spine condition that's led to a domino effect of secondary health issues, including chronic hypoxic respiratory failure, poor circulation causing chronic blood clotting, nerve damage and organ dysfunction.

In March 2024, I underwent my second extensive spinal fusion from t2-l3 where unfortunately, my dominant arm became paralyzed. During recovery, I also developed rebound pulmonary emboli and some screws in my spine became misaligned from pushing myself too hard, too soon.

In May of 2025, I also underwent a nerve and muscle transfer surgery to try to regain back some nerve function in my paralyzed right arm and hand. Again, I had complications with rebound pulmonary emboli and had to be rushed back into surgery for compartment syndrome and a ruptured artery to avoid amputation. Content warning for graphic medical image below.

I've since healed from these surgeries and after meeting with my spine surgeon this week, we've made plans for a third, urgent revision spinal fusion for this upcoming October. I will have my existing fusion extended from t2-l3 to t2-l5 (or t2-pelvis) to address nerve injury in my lower spine under the existing hardware from degeneration related to my disease. The misaligned screws in the thoracolumbar region will be replaced and my two large paraspinal rods will also be removed and replaced with even longer ones.

Those who know me personally will know how hard and how long I've had to fight for these surgeries --not only to reduce pain and improve my quality of life, but to slow down the progression of my musculoskeletal chronic hypoxic respiratory failure. After multiple rejected referrals since 2012 and one neurosurgeon in 2021 who told me there was "no point" in helping me since I "already use a wheelchair" and that I should "accept [preventable] death" from complications from a surgically manageable condition; I'm relieved to have access to my current surgeon who has accounted for my will to live and allows me to make autonomous decisions about my own health and body.

Now for the part where I ask for help, which is never easy:

Suffice it to say, I haven't been able to work in any capacity for a long time. My only income is an abject poverty-level CPP-disability assistance rate of $861 per month, which isn't enough for anyone to live off of, much less with the higher costs of living that those of us with disabilities face. CPP-Disability doesn't have coverage of any kind and I am not eligible for ODSP due their policies that discriminate against relationships/marriage.

Here are some of the out of pocket medical and housing expenses I can anticipate:

- Travel, hotel & parking expenses for pre-op (1 night) hospital admission (10-14 days or more depending on how surgery goes) and post-op (1 day)

- Rent and groceries while my partner takes time off work to accompany me in the hospital.

- Ongoing medication and supplemental oxygen costs (O2 paid for monthly, not fully covered under OHIP) and extra oxygen tanks for traveling

- Private hospital room during recovery to reduce risk of hospital-acquired viral infections. Hospital admission will be approximately 10-14 days depending on how the surgery goes and if there's complications. (Private rooms are not covered under OHIP, no alternative insurance and I'm at high risk for death from covid complications and other infections)

- Home care after surgery to help with surgical dressing change, bathing, meds, etc (covered by OHIP but with very limited hours that won't meet my extensive needs so I will have to pay privately)

- Medical equipment to help me move and transfer like bed handrails, toilet chair, grab bars for the couch, for the car, etc (I will not be able to bend or rotate my spine at all)

- Physio and occupational therapy (OHIP only covers a few sessions and I will be recovering for 6 months to a year or more)

- Toiletries/hygiene/personal care items for the hospital admission

I realize this is a significant request at a time when we're all struggling, but I wouldn't ask for help unless I were certain there are no other viable options that meet my needs. This is an important, non-elective surgery. It wasn't easy to find the surgeon I have and doing this a third time will not be easy, so I want to be certain that I have the resources and support necessary to recover as best I can and (hopefully) without any further complications.

If you've read this far, thank you immensely for your valuable time. If you're able and willing, please kindly consider sharing and donating to this campaign. I don't anticipate meeting the goal, but every bit helps and no amount is too small. Thank you.

Edit: if you would like to donate but are not comfortable with using GoFundMe, I can also accept e-transfers and will deduct any money sent via e-transfer from the overall goal of this campaign. Please reach out and I'll provide my email.