My name is Jennifer Gonzalez and I don't like to ask people for help. I've worked hard my whole life, and made tough choices to achieve my dreams. But after getting medical help for decades of severe pain, I'm well over my head in debt, and for the next year will be unable to return to work. At the advice of my friends and family, I've decided to start a gofundme to help with my medical debt and living expenses. I'm asking for any help in covering the $10,000 in direct and indirect medical expenses I've incurred since April of 2019.Any help will be appreciated.

Now, if you want the long(er) version, here goes: After years of hard work, I finally achieved my dream of being a flight attendant, but about a year later, I was unable to do my job without extreme pain. There were days the pain was so bad I was becoming increasingly unfit to do my duties. I saw multiple doctors and more specialists than I can count, and no one seemed to be able to help.  X-rays revealed no issues, but the pain persisted until the right doctor realized what was wrong: an MRI showed spinal cord compression due to a bulging disc.

Photo taken on January 2019 when I was suffering from the pinched nerve. A heating pad and TENS unit is always used after I finish the exercises at physical therapy.

Photo taken on February 2019. I did Cupping at physical therapy hoping it would prevent me from having surgery, but it did not help.

Treatment was recommended, and I had Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) surgery performed in April 2019. For 7 weeks, I had to wear a neck brace and sleep in the most upright position on my back, take a myriad of medications, and in general, put life on hold until I could move on my own again. I wouldn't have survived if my mother hadn't come to make sure I had my basic needs taken care of, the best nurse anyone could ask for.

Photo taken on April 2019 after I woke up from surgery. Neck brace and incision pictured.

My doctor has not given me the clearance necessary to return to work. Being a flight attendant is not only a physically demanding job, but in the event of an emergency, we need to be fit and healthy in order to properly assist all of the passengers and crew and lead them to safety.

Because of this, I need to be able to physically lift items and perform tasks on the job that my body still cannot. I am continuing to go to physical therapy several times a week, which is helping to restore my strength and minimize the pain I experience.

My CT scan taken on June of 2019,  ACDF pictured.

The money I am asking for will help me with the insurance and co-pays for my treatments and recovery, as well as, my travel expenses, bills, and basic necessities like groceries. 

 With your help I will be able to return to health, return to work, and live a normal life again.

 Thank you for reading, and thank you for your prayers, support, or any donations you can afford as I try to get back on my feet.