Rachel's Surgery
Donation protected
To our wonderful friends and family,
Asking for help is never easy. No matter what it looks like. Scott and I have been beyond blessed in so many ways over the years, but we are heading into a potential season of need in the next coming months. Some of you are aware that I have chronic conditions in my back that can only get worse. I was diagnosed with an early onset of arthritis, scoliosis, and degenerative disc disease back in 2012. For the most part, I have been able to get by with routine chiropractor appointments, cortisone injections, and mindful care of it at home- up until recently. In having conversations with my family doctor- the inevitable is going to happen- these diseases will continue to progress and make life harder as time continues. I have some options that were laid out in front of me and over the past three months have been looking at my options, praying with Scott and trying to figure out what the best next step is going to be.
We have decided to look into a bilateral breast reduction to start out, for me to see if it takes any stress, strain, and pain away from my back. According to my attending physician, my current size is only going to progress my back problems faster. I had my first consultation back in October of 2019. Needless to say- I left the office in tears (thank GOD Scott was there). I left there feeling uncomfortable, like I had no options, and a couple of decisions in my future would be sealed with this surgery. Decisions we as a couple haven't put much thought into and were not quite ready to face or discuss yet. I am currently waiting for a second opinion consultation with a female physician that is to happen the 21st of January. Not only is the MD a female but the surgery would be closer to home which makes my anxiety level a little more manageable.
My insurance had already approved me for the surgery with my initial consultation- so it will just be a matter of time currently to have my next appointment and receive the same authorization and then schedule surgery. I am hoping this consultation will go better and feel more at ease in being able to talk about my options and everything that goes into having this type of procedure.
This is where all of you come into play. :)
As much as we hate even doing this- we thought we would give GoFundMe a try. In times like these, there are needs. So this is us asking for help. My anxiety is skyrocketing even thinking about having to have surgery, let alone all the other details that are going to come along with the actual procedure. The first thing Scott and I covet is prayers...
Prayer that...
The surgery would all be approved again by insurance.
To calm any and all anxieties.
Prayer over the surgery when it happens and all team members who will be a part of it.
Full and fast recovery without any or minimal complications.
The second mountain we will face is financial. My health insurance at work is good- but as of right now, I have a $6,800 surgical deductible that needs to be covered with any surgery. From what I have been told, the recovery process is a minimum of two weeks initially out of work (that's with no complications), at least three months with compression bras and continued follow up appointments, and a whole year until everything begins to take shape and become fully healed. I do have short term disability at work, but it is only a fraction of what my usual gross pay is and there is no way we would be able to pay for the surgery and our normal bills with what would be provided from that. Scott and I have been working diligently on our current debt with what ever extra funds we have and we don't want to take a huge step backwards in this. With the help and support of all of you- we might actually be able to pay for the surgery and continued support that will be needed post operative.
To whoever is reading this- Scott and I are beyond thankful to have you in our lives and we appreciate anything and everything you are able to give. Nothing is too small- even a prayer is beyond appreciated and what we need during this time.
I plan to hopefully keep everyone in the loop with how progress is going. If anyone is interested in being an active part in this journey with us or would like updates along the way- please feel free to message me and we can discuss how that might look. I am hoping to either provide updates on Facebook as we go along or possibly start a blog up on this new adventure. If you're still reading this- kudos to you, and again, we appreciate all the time, energy, love, etc. that is offered to us.
Thanks again!
Asking for help is never easy. No matter what it looks like. Scott and I have been beyond blessed in so many ways over the years, but we are heading into a potential season of need in the next coming months. Some of you are aware that I have chronic conditions in my back that can only get worse. I was diagnosed with an early onset of arthritis, scoliosis, and degenerative disc disease back in 2012. For the most part, I have been able to get by with routine chiropractor appointments, cortisone injections, and mindful care of it at home- up until recently. In having conversations with my family doctor- the inevitable is going to happen- these diseases will continue to progress and make life harder as time continues. I have some options that were laid out in front of me and over the past three months have been looking at my options, praying with Scott and trying to figure out what the best next step is going to be.
We have decided to look into a bilateral breast reduction to start out, for me to see if it takes any stress, strain, and pain away from my back. According to my attending physician, my current size is only going to progress my back problems faster. I had my first consultation back in October of 2019. Needless to say- I left the office in tears (thank GOD Scott was there). I left there feeling uncomfortable, like I had no options, and a couple of decisions in my future would be sealed with this surgery. Decisions we as a couple haven't put much thought into and were not quite ready to face or discuss yet. I am currently waiting for a second opinion consultation with a female physician that is to happen the 21st of January. Not only is the MD a female but the surgery would be closer to home which makes my anxiety level a little more manageable.
My insurance had already approved me for the surgery with my initial consultation- so it will just be a matter of time currently to have my next appointment and receive the same authorization and then schedule surgery. I am hoping this consultation will go better and feel more at ease in being able to talk about my options and everything that goes into having this type of procedure.
This is where all of you come into play. :)
As much as we hate even doing this- we thought we would give GoFundMe a try. In times like these, there are needs. So this is us asking for help. My anxiety is skyrocketing even thinking about having to have surgery, let alone all the other details that are going to come along with the actual procedure. The first thing Scott and I covet is prayers...
Prayer that...
The surgery would all be approved again by insurance.
To calm any and all anxieties.
Prayer over the surgery when it happens and all team members who will be a part of it.
Full and fast recovery without any or minimal complications.
The second mountain we will face is financial. My health insurance at work is good- but as of right now, I have a $6,800 surgical deductible that needs to be covered with any surgery. From what I have been told, the recovery process is a minimum of two weeks initially out of work (that's with no complications), at least three months with compression bras and continued follow up appointments, and a whole year until everything begins to take shape and become fully healed. I do have short term disability at work, but it is only a fraction of what my usual gross pay is and there is no way we would be able to pay for the surgery and our normal bills with what would be provided from that. Scott and I have been working diligently on our current debt with what ever extra funds we have and we don't want to take a huge step backwards in this. With the help and support of all of you- we might actually be able to pay for the surgery and continued support that will be needed post operative.
To whoever is reading this- Scott and I are beyond thankful to have you in our lives and we appreciate anything and everything you are able to give. Nothing is too small- even a prayer is beyond appreciated and what we need during this time.
I plan to hopefully keep everyone in the loop with how progress is going. If anyone is interested in being an active part in this journey with us or would like updates along the way- please feel free to message me and we can discuss how that might look. I am hoping to either provide updates on Facebook as we go along or possibly start a blog up on this new adventure. If you're still reading this- kudos to you, and again, we appreciate all the time, energy, love, etc. that is offered to us.
Thanks again!
Organizer
Rachel Beth Koch
Organizer
Ephrata, PA
