June 15, 2023 Update:

Sorry for such a lack of communication after surgery. But, I am thrilled to say that due to your support and all the wonderful community that has been here for me, my surgery and recovery has been a huge success. I am now a month out from the surgery. My incision has healed up nicely and the severe nerve pain and weakness were gone immediately after the surgery.

I am still required to not BLT - Bend, lift more than 10 lbs., or twist for 3 months. My vertebrae are 'fusing' together during this time with the hardware assisting in the process. It takes time and stability. I have become very adept at maneuvering with my many grabber arms! I get out to water the garden, clean, cook, and so much more. It just takes a lot longer with the methods I have learned to protect my back as I heal. I feel so positive about this. I had lots of intestinal issues from the drugs and surgery and have lost 20 pounds. I am happy about the loss and not so about the way it had to happen. It was a rough week after surgery of course. I was able to quit taking all of the drugs by week three and am fairly pain-free. This I am so thankful for.

On the 5th I had a little setback and ended up in ER with severe bladder pain. They put me on steroids for the pressure of fluid from the outside and found 2 days later that I had a UTI. It's been 10 days now and I feel so much better. The steroids are terrible because they have amplified my lack of sleep at night restlessness... only 2 more days!

Yesterday, I was cleared by PT to paint in my chair with my back straight as long as I take breaks still every 20 minutes. I really look forward to getting back to my easel and sitting to focus all this healing energy into my work. This is going to help with my restlessness and get me grounded again. I need to paint like I need to breathe. It is my grounding force.

My Sister, BIL, Son, students, and friends have been dropping by every day to bring food, help with chores, keep me company, and more. I still can't vacuum, change sheets, and a couple more things. It has been SO very nice to have such support. I feel so incredibly blessed and thank God every day for the support that I have had and continue to have.

I am supposed to take 3 months off. I had been making 1/2 of what I should make during the 6 months before surgery which took a toll on my financial situation. With your help, I made it through those months. Thank you to everyone who bought my paintings that I sold for a minimal amount. Thank you to those who donated so generously. You have touched my heart in ways I can't begin to communicate. I am so very thankful. My bills have been paid for May & most of June. But, I still have the last two weeks of June and a full month of July before I can return to teaching, which is where I make my living. Any help you can give at this time would really be appreciated.

Update: I just passed the last doctor’s approval. Surgery will be May 12. Because of my HHT I will be getting 2 iron infusions this week prior to surgery. I’m in good hands. I’m really look forward to bring on the other side of this.

Hi! My name is Bobbi Baldwin. I’m a full-time self-employed fine artist and teacher, dependent on my monthly teaching income. I recently learned that I have extensive damage to my lower vertebrae plus pressure on my central nervous system and severe stenosis. This means that my spinal cord & core roots of my nervous system are being squeezed between the unstable bone structure of my vertebrae, and the space in the center where it rests safely is closing up. Surgery to fuse four of my vertebrae is necessary to prevent permanent damage to my spinal cord, which if left unaddressed could leave my legs paralyzed. I am facing a very difficult time going through this alone and meeting my expenses. I’m looking for support from those who might be willing to help me financially.

I love my work, and I work hard. I have been painting, sculpting, and teaching full-time since 1989. I depend on my ability to work and be self-sufficient.

My back issues started genetically with a small canal for my spinal cord but have multiplied due to my hard work. I also have osteoarthritis. Anyone who knows me knows how determined I am to get things done: I owned a gallery at age 37 and started a nonprofit portrait society to help others advance. Throughout the many challenges I have had in my life, I worked hard without taking time off. I love teaching artists and passionately share my knowledge openly.

I hope to have many more productive years ahead, but surgery is urgently needed to make this possible –without a stable back, I won’t be able to continue.

I have had financial help from Kaiser throughout all the medical procedures in the past two years and I hope to have some financial help from Kaiser for this surgery. But, I will still have to pay rent, monthly bills, and hire some practical help to support me in the weeks and months after surgery while I am recovering. I have many wonderful people offering to help, but of course no one is able to assist me 24/7. I will not be able to drive for at least three to four weeks, so I will need to use Uber/Lyft. These expenses will stack up quickly.

Thank you so much everyone for helping me through this. Any amount you can give is enormously helpful, and I am so very grateful for your kindness. I will continue teaching and painting until the surgery.