Lindsay's Scoliosis Surgery

Lindsay is a very hardworking, independent, patient, and compassionate person. She is so kind to the patients she works with as a radiological technologist, assisting with surgical procedures on a daily basis, without them ever knowing the pain she herself suffers with due to extreme scoliosis. 

When she was 12, Lindsay was diagnosed with scoliosis - a disease that causes an abnormal curve in the spine. She was given a brace to wear for 3 years, and told to “wait and see if it got worse”. When it did, the doctor said the only option was spinal fusion from her T7-L4 vertebrae! Spinal fusion is a highly invasive procedure that places screws and rods along the spine to permanently lock it into place. 

While it does straighten the spine, it would permanently limit mobility - she would be unable to rotate or flex like a normal healthy spine. Terrified of living a permanently disabled life caused by spinal fusion, Lindsay was determined to find a better alternative. 

To find answers, she pursued a career as an x-ray technologist. Taking her career very seriously, she soon bravely moved to the other side of the country to become an interventional radiological technologist. She now assists in surgeries every day, helping patients who suffer with pain and limited mobility like she does. 

For the past 5 years, Lindsay has been dealing with severe pain caused by her contorted spine. It has corroded every aspect of daily life. Simple tasks like dressing herself, walking down stairs, and even sitting always involve excruciating pain. Medications and alternative pain remedies help slightly, but nothing has been the solution. 

Since adolescence her spine has steadily worsened. Her condition has gone from a moderate 30 degree single curve, to currently now a severe double (’S’) curve of 59 degrees (lumbar) and 26 degrees (thoracic). Severe scoliosis is considered anything over 45 degrees. The curvature is likely to continue increasing at a rate of 1-2 degrees per year. Without surgery, lung failure and permanent immobility are imminent.

In November 2018 Lindsay was thrown a lifeline: she discovered a cutting-edge alternative procedure called Vertebral Body Tethering (aka VBT). The surgery involves placing screws into the spine, and then attaching them together with a flexible tensioned tether. It is minimally invasive, less risky, and boasts a quicker recovery time than fusion surgery. But most importantly - the surgery straightens the spine while still allowing for the flexible, healthy life that fusion doesn’t.

The effects of the straightening can be seen immediately after surgery, and continue to improve with time. There are 2 doctors in the US that perform this procedure on adults. Fortunately, after a long process of research and evaluation, Lindsay has connected with a surgeon in New York City who determined that she would be a good candidate for the surgery.

This 8-hour surgery would allow Lindsay’s back to be restored to the flexibility and comfort she once had as a child. She’ll be able to do simple things again, like dressing herself for the day, without stabbing pain anymore. She’ll also be able to do the things she loves again, including her passion of creating large, beautiful abstract paintings. This procedure is the solution that Lindsay has been searching for for two decades.

Unfortunately, the surgery and hospital fees come at a high cost- her insurance does not cover this procedure. Scoliosis is considered a pre-existing condition. Shockingly, this means that any surgery, no matter how severe the case, is deemed “elective”.  The surgeon requires $49,000 for the surgery, and the additional hospital fees are still unknown at this point. They could potentially be as high as $100,000. Even with the thousands given from her family, and with borrowed money, it's still not enough. Lindsay has exhausted all of her resources, so we have turned to the community for support in helping her with the crippling debt of this life-changing surgery.

Lindsay faces an extraordinary situation that most of us will never have to deal with. Putting on shoes, climbing out of bed, and hugging our loved ones is easy for us. But for Lindsay, this disease has effected every aspect of her life. Feeling like an outsider and struggling with severe chronic pain, she still manages to be compassionate and advocate for patients in need. My goal is to spread her story - showing her that her community and supports her as much as she’s supported them.

Thank you so much for your kindness in giving Lindsay a chance at a healthy, mobile and pain free life. We will be posting updates for you to follow her on this journey.