It is with concern, compassion and hope that we're sharing our friend and colleague Marissa Love‘s story with you. Having returned home from tour and celebrating Thanksgiving with family this past November, Marissa experienced sudden and excruciating back pain after doing yoga.

At that point, Marissa thought she threw her back out and subsequently treated it with the usual care regimen of rest, ice and chiropractic therapy. The pain, however, was unrelenting, and after coping for two weeks, after one night of particularly terrible pain, she called an ambulance, unable to move. At the ER, she was told without further testing that she was having a ‘back spasm,’ and sent home with a lidocaine patch and directions to roll on a tennis ball even if it hurt to do so.

Forty-eight hours later, still unable to move, she went to Nashville for an X-ray upon the advice of a nurse/friend. Results showed that one of her vertebrae was fractured and an MRI was ordered. She went home feeling positive that finally something tangible had been found, and two days later she was in the hospital awaiting surgery.

The MRI found severe deterioration in the vertebrae, caused by what doctors said was a tumor. Marissa has been in the hospital since then.

As I write this, Marissa has had two spinal surgeries. Her deteriorated vertebra is now replaced by a cage and the surrounding vertebrae have been fused, held in place by a rod and screws. Her mobility is limited. Tests are so far inconclusive as to what caused the hopefully benign tumor. She has feeling, albeit tingling, in her legs and can walk with the assistance of a walker. She will soon be discharged to an inpatient rehab facility for two weeks. She is feeling positive and can’t wait to power through her treatments.

However, the cost of these treatments is staggering. While Insurance will hopefully cover much of it, they are still waiting for confirmation and clarification from her insurance company. Marissa and her fiancee Alex, who will continue to be her caretaker, are both touring chefs and will be unable to work for the time being.

Without income, and possibly facing insurmountable debt, we are setting up this page to both share Marissa's progress as well as to offer Marissa and Alex our financial and emotional support, both of which are essential for them. If you are able to donate to her, we are kindly asking for any help at this time. Updates to follow. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Andrew Miller at [email redacted]. Thank you for your time and consideration.

UPDATE 1/5/23 Marissa has moved to an inpatient rehab facility in Nashville and has started OT and PT!