My back is jacked!
Donation protected
Never thought I would end up here doing a go fund me for myself :(
My journey into my back issues started in the summer of 2017, when I (unbeknownst) to me herniated a disc between me L4/L5, compressing the S1 nerve root. I spent a few months seeing a chiropractor before finally dragging my ass to a sports medicine doctor. An MRI confirmed the herniation, and I received a epidural steroid shot at the injury site. I wrongly assumed all my back issues were done with and continued with life as normal.
Flash forward to this past year....my sciatic nerve pain started to return in the worse way possible. I could no longer run, I suffered with chronic sciatic nerve pain in my left left, and very pronounced weakness in my left leg. I had two additional epidural steroid shots which had no effect. I was then referred to a spinal surgeon that informed me my only shot at a pain free life moving forward would be to remove the portion of my herniated disc that was compressing on my S1 nerve root.
On August 12th, I finally had the surgery that had rid me of the sciatic nerve pain and weakness I have been struggling with for so long!! On the crappy side, this wasn't an on-duty injury, so all my costs have come from out of pocket. Yes, I do have medical insurance, however, I have already had to spend several thousand dollars out of pocket because I have not met my deductible for the year.
I hemmed and hawed about asking for help because I am 1) a hard headed pollock and 2) feel slightly embarrassed. However, the bills have already started rolling in, and I won't even see a short term disability check for 2+ weeks (and that's only 60% of my normal pay).
My journey into my back issues started in the summer of 2017, when I (unbeknownst) to me herniated a disc between me L4/L5, compressing the S1 nerve root. I spent a few months seeing a chiropractor before finally dragging my ass to a sports medicine doctor. An MRI confirmed the herniation, and I received a epidural steroid shot at the injury site. I wrongly assumed all my back issues were done with and continued with life as normal.
Flash forward to this past year....my sciatic nerve pain started to return in the worse way possible. I could no longer run, I suffered with chronic sciatic nerve pain in my left left, and very pronounced weakness in my left leg. I had two additional epidural steroid shots which had no effect. I was then referred to a spinal surgeon that informed me my only shot at a pain free life moving forward would be to remove the portion of my herniated disc that was compressing on my S1 nerve root.
On August 12th, I finally had the surgery that had rid me of the sciatic nerve pain and weakness I have been struggling with for so long!! On the crappy side, this wasn't an on-duty injury, so all my costs have come from out of pocket. Yes, I do have medical insurance, however, I have already had to spend several thousand dollars out of pocket because I have not met my deductible for the year.
I hemmed and hawed about asking for help because I am 1) a hard headed pollock and 2) feel slightly embarrassed. However, the bills have already started rolling in, and I won't even see a short term disability check for 2+ weeks (and that's only 60% of my normal pay).
Organizer
Catherine Rybka
Organizer
San Tan Valley, AZ