For over a decade, I have been living with constant, crippling pain. What started as a back injury in my twenties following a car accident has turned into an overwhelming battle that I’ve been quietly fighting every single day. At first, it was just discomfort, but soon it grew into unbearable pain radiating down both my legs, making even the simplest tasks feel impossible. Still, I refused to give in. I pushed myself to keep working, even when I could barely stand. On the worst days, I would retreat to the bathroom, crying through the pain but determined not to let it stop me.

Seven years ago, my body finally gave out. I collapsed at home, losing bladder control and unable to move. I was rushed to the hospital, where I underwent emergency surgery. It was a lumbar microdiscectomy on my L4 and L5 vertebrae, and I remember thinking this was my way out, my chance to finally be free of the pain. And for a while, I was. I felt hopeful again, like I could start living a normal life.

But earlier this year, the pain came back—worse than ever. What began as a dull ache quickly escalated into sharp, shooting nerve pain that tore through my right leg. I tried every treatment I could—acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy—but nothing worked. An MRI revealed a new disc bulge just below my previous surgery site. Once again, I was told to wait, to rest, and hope that things would improve with time. But the pain only grew more unbearable.

I tried to return to work, convinced I could push through, but my large dogs accidentally knocked me over, sending me back to the hospital. More painkillers, more tests, more waiting, but still no solution. Now, I feel trapped in a body that no longer feels like my own. I’ve lost much of my mobility, and with it, my independence and my sense of hope.

I’ve reached out to countless doctors and specialists, but no one seems to understand the full severity of my condition. In a last-ditch effort, I’ve contacted a neurosurgeon abroad who believes they can help. This could be my only chance to finally break free from the pain that has taken so much from me.

But I can’t do it alone. I need your help.

Funds Raised for US Surgery:

Travel for Surgery = $4,500

Surgery Costs = $32,000

San Jose Neurospine

Funds Raised for Overseas Surgery

Travel for Surgery = $15,000

Surgery Costs = $45,000

Overseas Rehab = $15,000

ONZ Spine

I’m not asking for sympathy, but for a chance to regain my life. To walk without pain. To live without fear of another collapse. To finally be free from the daily agony that has consumed my life for so long.

Your donation, no matter how small, could make all the difference. It could be the key to unlocking a future where I can move freely again and live without this constant, crippling pain. Please, if you’ve ever known the feeling of being trapped or in pain, I ask you to stand with me in this fight. Together, we can turn this pain into hope and give me a chance at the life I’ve been fighting so hard to reclaim.

#lumbarsurgery #backpain #helpme #medical