MiracleforMelissa
Donation protected
Hello friends and family,
I’m writing this on behalf of Melissa Reising. Some of you know her and for those of you that don’t, let me tell you a little about her. She is originally from Peoria, Illinois, went to Limestone High School, and worked for a few years in the local bar and restaurant industry before moving to Florida. She also competed and placed in the 1999 NGA natural classic body building in Peoria and continued her dedication to fitness, always inspiring others to stay active & coached others in personal training. For the last 8 years she worked as a medical assistant, assistant X-ray tech and surgical assistant before being promoted to office manager. She loved her work and thrived on helping others. She is still full of life, quick with her infectious smile, funny to the point of belly laughs, has the best giggle, and is a great friend. A rare medical condition has stopped her from being able to work or live a regular life. She desperately needs our financial help.
Her story began around 4 years ago with a seemingly non-life-threatening dog bite to the leg. Within a short amount of time it became clear that other things were happening as her pain in that leg became unbearable. She was quickly diagnosed with CRPS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, also known as the “Suicide Disease,” is caused by damage or malfunction of the central nervous system resulting in bone loss, muscle atrophy and permanent disability. It is recognized as the most painful condition on the McGill Pain Index surpassing most cancers, limb amputation and childbearing. CRPS is rated as the highest medical pain known to mankind outside of some terminal cancers. Excruciating pain that feels as if her bones are being crushed, limbs set on fire, stabbed and electrocuted leave her drained and bedridden some days. At times even the slightest touch, bright lights and loud noises can cause her pain to escalate and become unbearable. Her team of doctors were soon using nerve blockers and implant devices to keep the pain localized to that one leg. Unfortunately, further complications allowed the pain from the CRPS to spread to other areas of her body. The latest diagnosis is that she now has Total Body CRPS. The most effective treatment to keep the pain at a manageable level are Ketamine infusions. Due to being over treated they are no longer as effective and have caused her to develop pancreatitis. Along with that, the CRPS has caused her body to no longer be able to regulate some of her non voluntary bodily functions. Gastrointestinal issues have led to her sometimes having to receive supplemental nutrition via feeding tube. Heart problems, internal bleeding, PTSD, depression, inability to walk without aid, and minimized hand coordination and function - this can come and go, but are also daily realities. Due to these issues she has had to move in with her father as she can no longer care for herself completely. At the age of 42 her independence was taken from her. Melissa turns 45 this year, 2021, and there seems to be very little hope in sight.
We are asking for donations in order help Melissa with her expenses. She has lost her insurance due to being unable to work and she will not qualify for Medicaid till later in the year. Most of her medications and treatments would not be covered by either insurance or Medicaid in any case. As stated, the most effective at keeping her pain level tolerable, at times, is Ketamine infusions. These treatments run around $825.00 a month and would not be covered. In addition to that treatment her other medications run an additional $3,000.00 a month. Once Medicaid does come available a minimal amount, around $125.00 per month, could possibly be covered and we haven’t even touched on regular living expenses such as food, clothing, toiletries, etc. I am trying to focus on a few months at a time when asking for donations. I’m putting the amount at $45,000.00 to help with medical and personal expenses for the next 6 months. Her mind does not need to be focused on how to care for herself.
I speak with Melissa regularly and know that she has good days and very bad ones and at times she isn’t even able to talk on the phone. Some days nothing helps. There is no cure. Melissa is at the end stages of CRPS, there are no more medical treatment options available. I am scared for my friend as I have watched her deteriorate over the last few months with no end in sight. She and her doctors are still actively looking for CRPS trials she could qualify for but as of right now there are none. She is always looking for other options. We are hoping for a miracle.
We thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read Melissa’s story. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers. If you have a way to donate to Miracle for Melissa, please do. Any contribution will go a long way in helping Melissa lead a more comfortable life and aid her in her fight. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Please donate and share her story on your Instagram, Facebook, or any other platform you have available. We need to get her story out there.
If you who would like further information, I urge you go to rsds.org and/or burninglimb.com and find out more about this largely unknown and often misdiagnosed illness.
Thank you, sincerely,
Heather Grimm
Friend
I’m writing this on behalf of Melissa Reising. Some of you know her and for those of you that don’t, let me tell you a little about her. She is originally from Peoria, Illinois, went to Limestone High School, and worked for a few years in the local bar and restaurant industry before moving to Florida. She also competed and placed in the 1999 NGA natural classic body building in Peoria and continued her dedication to fitness, always inspiring others to stay active & coached others in personal training. For the last 8 years she worked as a medical assistant, assistant X-ray tech and surgical assistant before being promoted to office manager. She loved her work and thrived on helping others. She is still full of life, quick with her infectious smile, funny to the point of belly laughs, has the best giggle, and is a great friend. A rare medical condition has stopped her from being able to work or live a regular life. She desperately needs our financial help.
Her story began around 4 years ago with a seemingly non-life-threatening dog bite to the leg. Within a short amount of time it became clear that other things were happening as her pain in that leg became unbearable. She was quickly diagnosed with CRPS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, also known as the “Suicide Disease,” is caused by damage or malfunction of the central nervous system resulting in bone loss, muscle atrophy and permanent disability. It is recognized as the most painful condition on the McGill Pain Index surpassing most cancers, limb amputation and childbearing. CRPS is rated as the highest medical pain known to mankind outside of some terminal cancers. Excruciating pain that feels as if her bones are being crushed, limbs set on fire, stabbed and electrocuted leave her drained and bedridden some days. At times even the slightest touch, bright lights and loud noises can cause her pain to escalate and become unbearable. Her team of doctors were soon using nerve blockers and implant devices to keep the pain localized to that one leg. Unfortunately, further complications allowed the pain from the CRPS to spread to other areas of her body. The latest diagnosis is that she now has Total Body CRPS. The most effective treatment to keep the pain at a manageable level are Ketamine infusions. Due to being over treated they are no longer as effective and have caused her to develop pancreatitis. Along with that, the CRPS has caused her body to no longer be able to regulate some of her non voluntary bodily functions. Gastrointestinal issues have led to her sometimes having to receive supplemental nutrition via feeding tube. Heart problems, internal bleeding, PTSD, depression, inability to walk without aid, and minimized hand coordination and function - this can come and go, but are also daily realities. Due to these issues she has had to move in with her father as she can no longer care for herself completely. At the age of 42 her independence was taken from her. Melissa turns 45 this year, 2021, and there seems to be very little hope in sight.
We are asking for donations in order help Melissa with her expenses. She has lost her insurance due to being unable to work and she will not qualify for Medicaid till later in the year. Most of her medications and treatments would not be covered by either insurance or Medicaid in any case. As stated, the most effective at keeping her pain level tolerable, at times, is Ketamine infusions. These treatments run around $825.00 a month and would not be covered. In addition to that treatment her other medications run an additional $3,000.00 a month. Once Medicaid does come available a minimal amount, around $125.00 per month, could possibly be covered and we haven’t even touched on regular living expenses such as food, clothing, toiletries, etc. I am trying to focus on a few months at a time when asking for donations. I’m putting the amount at $45,000.00 to help with medical and personal expenses for the next 6 months. Her mind does not need to be focused on how to care for herself.
I speak with Melissa regularly and know that she has good days and very bad ones and at times she isn’t even able to talk on the phone. Some days nothing helps. There is no cure. Melissa is at the end stages of CRPS, there are no more medical treatment options available. I am scared for my friend as I have watched her deteriorate over the last few months with no end in sight. She and her doctors are still actively looking for CRPS trials she could qualify for but as of right now there are none. She is always looking for other options. We are hoping for a miracle.
We thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read Melissa’s story. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers. If you have a way to donate to Miracle for Melissa, please do. Any contribution will go a long way in helping Melissa lead a more comfortable life and aid her in her fight. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Please donate and share her story on your Instagram, Facebook, or any other platform you have available. We need to get her story out there.
If you who would like further information, I urge you go to rsds.org and/or burninglimb.com and find out more about this largely unknown and often misdiagnosed illness.
Thank you, sincerely,
Heather Grimm
Friend
Organizer and beneficiary
Heather Grimm
Organizer
Peoria, IL
Melissa Reising
Beneficiary