Sherri Smelley's treatment from Mayo Clinic
Donation protected
It is not easy for me to ask for help! Any amount will help. My husband and I enjoy and are accustomed to giving to others. I am simply desperate.
I need this treatment, but we cannot afford the cost without insurance coverage. OUR INSURANCE REFUSED COVERAGE AT THE LAST MINUTE. If you can help, we would appreciate it. I promise we will pay it forward every chance we get.
Today we notified Mayo Clinic of our acceptance of my spot for treatment. We are still working toward our goal for cash payment due to the decline of insurance coverage. Any amount that you can share will be greatly appreciated. However, an average $25.00 donation from our friends will cover the full cost of the medical treatment and physical therapy. We have received a few donations via the U.S. Mail. We reduce our goal by that amount each time we receive a direct payment.
Over the last three years, I have suffered from an increased pain level. There have been months that I was barely able to function. I moved my office to our home. I work on a part-time basis because I am no longer able to carry a regular workload.
In July 2020, my husband took me to Mayo Clinic where I submitted to a battery of tests. Ultimately, I was diagnosed with an umbrella diagnosis of Centralized Sensitization Syndrome (“CSS”). For me, it incorporates Fibromyalgia, early onset severe and deforming Arthritis, Neuropathy (both peripheral and small fiber neuropathy), among other issues. I have been categorized as permanently disabled.
The physician explained that CSS is caused from trauma or an illness that causes the brain and nervous system to overload. He compared it to a computer hard drive that, when overloaded sends out multiple commands causing the computer to malfunction or shut down. If you remember, I had surgery at the end of 2017 and we had multiple traumatic events over the next year, not the least of which was the damage to our home by fire. It was during this time that my health began to decline with so many symptoms the doctors could not diagnose the cause. As a result, many treatments for the symptoms aggravated the root problem. Consequently, my pain level has increased daily for the past 3 years.
Beginning February 4, 2021, I am scheduled to attend an intensive 3-week physical therapy, occupational therapy, and medical treatment program designed to assist with lifestyle changes for pain management WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF PAIN MEDICATION. HOWEVER, WE RECEIVED A CALL FROM MAYO CLINIC ADVISING THAT MY PRE-AUTHORIZATION FROM BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF ALABAMA HAD BEEN DENIED. We attempted an appeal but was advised that the treatment is not covered under our policy for any reason.
I want to improve my life so that I can function again. I have not physically attended church in over a year (only virtually). Due to COVID, many court hearings are held via Zoom, but I must prepare physically for days in advance to be able to appear in person. I have had to significantly reduce my workload due to my pain levels.
This treatment offers an opportunity for me to learn how to better manage the problem to allow me to better manage my life.
Again, it is not easy for me to ask for help. But I need this treatment and the hope that it offers. I want to get some relief so that I can live a more productive life again.
We will be ever so thankful for any donation that you make.
Sincerely,
Jeff and Sherri
I need this treatment, but we cannot afford the cost without insurance coverage. OUR INSURANCE REFUSED COVERAGE AT THE LAST MINUTE. If you can help, we would appreciate it. I promise we will pay it forward every chance we get.
Today we notified Mayo Clinic of our acceptance of my spot for treatment. We are still working toward our goal for cash payment due to the decline of insurance coverage. Any amount that you can share will be greatly appreciated. However, an average $25.00 donation from our friends will cover the full cost of the medical treatment and physical therapy. We have received a few donations via the U.S. Mail. We reduce our goal by that amount each time we receive a direct payment.
Over the last three years, I have suffered from an increased pain level. There have been months that I was barely able to function. I moved my office to our home. I work on a part-time basis because I am no longer able to carry a regular workload.
In July 2020, my husband took me to Mayo Clinic where I submitted to a battery of tests. Ultimately, I was diagnosed with an umbrella diagnosis of Centralized Sensitization Syndrome (“CSS”). For me, it incorporates Fibromyalgia, early onset severe and deforming Arthritis, Neuropathy (both peripheral and small fiber neuropathy), among other issues. I have been categorized as permanently disabled.
The physician explained that CSS is caused from trauma or an illness that causes the brain and nervous system to overload. He compared it to a computer hard drive that, when overloaded sends out multiple commands causing the computer to malfunction or shut down. If you remember, I had surgery at the end of 2017 and we had multiple traumatic events over the next year, not the least of which was the damage to our home by fire. It was during this time that my health began to decline with so many symptoms the doctors could not diagnose the cause. As a result, many treatments for the symptoms aggravated the root problem. Consequently, my pain level has increased daily for the past 3 years.
Beginning February 4, 2021, I am scheduled to attend an intensive 3-week physical therapy, occupational therapy, and medical treatment program designed to assist with lifestyle changes for pain management WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF PAIN MEDICATION. HOWEVER, WE RECEIVED A CALL FROM MAYO CLINIC ADVISING THAT MY PRE-AUTHORIZATION FROM BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF ALABAMA HAD BEEN DENIED. We attempted an appeal but was advised that the treatment is not covered under our policy for any reason.
I want to improve my life so that I can function again. I have not physically attended church in over a year (only virtually). Due to COVID, many court hearings are held via Zoom, but I must prepare physically for days in advance to be able to appear in person. I have had to significantly reduce my workload due to my pain levels.
This treatment offers an opportunity for me to learn how to better manage the problem to allow me to better manage my life.
Again, it is not easy for me to ask for help. But I need this treatment and the hope that it offers. I want to get some relief so that I can live a more productive life again.
We will be ever so thankful for any donation that you make.
Sincerely,
Jeff and Sherri
Co-organizers (3)
Sherri Johnson Smelley
Organizer
Loxley, AL
Leigh Knosher
Co-organizer
Robin Sheffield
Co-organizer