As many of you know, on 11/20/21, Riley went to Morton Hospital after suffering from extreme back and leg pain, and leg numbness for over a week. With her history of Degenerative Disc Disease, Bilateral Facet Disease, and discs that herniate on a regular basis, she was concerned because her left leg was numb with no sensation and she knew something was different about the pain this time. An MRI was done and the results showed that the L4-L5 disc was completely herniated, putting pressure on her L4 and L5 nerves and spinal cord. The MRI results were sent to a Neurosurgeon in Boston and he said that he wanted her to be transported to his hospital right away.

 

Riley was transported from Morton to St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Boston, where she spent two days being treated with IV Steroids in attempt to bring down the inflammation around the nerves.

 

On 11/22/21, she underwent surgery where a Laminectomy (removal of part of the vertebrae) and a Discectomy (resection and removal of part of the herniated disc) were performed. The disc was left-leaning, which explains her left-sided pain and leg issues. Surgery was successful, and all pressure on her nerves and spinal cord was relieved, but unfortunately the surgery could not undo the years of nerve damage that she's suffered from.

 

Currently, Riley is suffering from what she describes as "excruciating and debilitating" nerve pain, muscle spasms down her left side, and she still has no feeling or sensation in her left leg. She is unable to walk without the assistance of a walker, and even then it's extremely painful. The Surgeon is unable to say if, or when, she will regain muscle control in her leg, or if sensation will return to the nerves or not. He said it can take anywhere from weeks to months to even years, and that it may not ever completely return.

 

Riley was discharged six days after surgery, and has been really struggling since getting home. She had to fight with her insurance company over the two medications that she needs to manage her nerve pain. She went without them for days, living with heinous nerve pain (lumbar radiculopathy) and yet she has still remained fairly positive and hasn't complained. The nerve pain and leg cramps did cause her to have a fall, which scared her emotionally and made her nervous about falling again. She has safety proofed her home as best as possible with the help of some generous friends and family that sent items from her Recovery Wishlist.

 

If you know Riley, you know that she is the first to help others, and the last to ask for help. For everything she has done for the community, her friends and family, and for total strangers, I would love to see her receive some help in return. Riley will be unable to work for an unknown amount of time, and has gone from working three jobs to suddenly not being able to work any of them. I know she is stressed about money, medical bills, and the cost of the medications that aren't covered by her insurance. Just the meds alone would be $1400/month to get the ones she really needs. Right now she has settled for lesser and more basic versions because of the cost. The recovery and healing process is going to be long and difficult, and she will need months Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy to strengthen her back and regain use of her leg. I would love for finances to be one less stressor so she can focus on recovering without worrying about the bills! All she has been talking about is getting her life back, walking again, going back to work, and being independent again. Let's help her get there!!!

 

If you wish to donate without the GoFundMe percentage being taken out, her Venmo is @Rileysaurusrexx.