Spine Surgery For Jeff
Donation protected
Hello, my name Is Marlee. I’m making this page on behalf of my dad, Jeff. Starting a GoFundMe page has crossed my mind a few times, but I never thought I’d actually reach out to friends, family, mutual friends, and the Internet in general for help. My family’s lives have changed dramatically in the last 6 months and now I’m asking for help. I decided to tell our ENTIRE story, so important stuff is bolded.
Background: My dad is a 65 year old man, bound to a walker/wheelchair. I never thought that I’d be 18 years old and wheeling my dad down halls of several different hospitals during my summer vacation. My dad essentially raised me on his own. I’m not going to get too into it, but my mom is extremely mentally and physically disabled and hasn’t been able to do much, including work. We’ve always been a 1 income family, my dad working constantly to feed us and put a roof over our heads and pay all the bills on his own.
Then, on the night of December 4th, 2017, our lives changed. I was away at college and didn’t know anything. Around midnight, my dad stepped out onto our front patio and his left knee locked and he came crashing down onto the hard concrete, knees first. My mom was asleep, so he crawled back into the kitchen, and slept on the floor that night. He hasn’t returned to work since that day. We had no idea what happened, he couldn't walk. We went to doctors, but sadly we didn’t have the best insurance and options, so not much was being done as things got worse, quickly. He transitioned from a cane to a walker and completely depended on it. He was officially terminated from his job on March 1st. Then, in April, he turned 65 and got on Medicare and a whole new world of doctors and care was opened up to us. We worked hard to find out what’s wrong and why on earth he’s a young man and can’t walk. Between constant physical therapy, MRI’s, EMG’s, CT’s, and appointments at UPenn hospital, he was diagnosed with myelomalacia. It’s essentially the softening or “shrinking” of the spinal cord. His MRI’s are astounding looking. The spinal cord in his neck is so small, it’s a sliver. 4 or 5 discs in that region are being squeezed and the nerves that travel from his brain, through the spinal cord, and to the rest of his body are getting pinched and can barely pass through. Therefore, he can barely walk or move any muscles in his legs and feet, his arms are getting stiff too and all of his fingers are completely numb. It’s awful to watch him deteriorate.
However, now we have a small ray of hope thanks to Dr. Vincent Arlet at UPenn hospital. My dad will have the invasive spine surgery on Friday, June 15th.
Now, the question of money. Thankfully, the surgery and all that comes with it is covered under our surgery. However, now we’re a no income family and technically have been for 6 months. My dad has been collecting temporary disability since December, and social security since he turned 65 in April. With those 2 overlapping, we could barely stay afloat. However, temporary disability is only temporary, and my dad will be receiving his last check this month. Anyone with family or friends who are 65 and older knows that social security pays peanuts. To swallow my pride and put it bluntly, we can’t pay our bills anymore.
Donations: I can’t stress enough how much any amount of money is greatly appreciated. The money will be sent straight to my dad’s bank account and will be used wisely. Mainly to pay our piling-up bills. My dad will be going into rehab for 4 weeks post surgery to receive the care and attention he needs. My mom and I have never lived alone before, so the money will also be used so we can feed ourselves and go grocery shopping and to prepare the house to be comfortable for dad’s painful recovery when he returns home. My dad taught me how to take my first steps as a baby, now I want to see him take his first steps again.
So that’s my sap story. Sorry it was lengthy and I greatly appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this and donate ANY amount at all. Thank you.
Best wishes, Marlee
Background: My dad is a 65 year old man, bound to a walker/wheelchair. I never thought that I’d be 18 years old and wheeling my dad down halls of several different hospitals during my summer vacation. My dad essentially raised me on his own. I’m not going to get too into it, but my mom is extremely mentally and physically disabled and hasn’t been able to do much, including work. We’ve always been a 1 income family, my dad working constantly to feed us and put a roof over our heads and pay all the bills on his own.
Then, on the night of December 4th, 2017, our lives changed. I was away at college and didn’t know anything. Around midnight, my dad stepped out onto our front patio and his left knee locked and he came crashing down onto the hard concrete, knees first. My mom was asleep, so he crawled back into the kitchen, and slept on the floor that night. He hasn’t returned to work since that day. We had no idea what happened, he couldn't walk. We went to doctors, but sadly we didn’t have the best insurance and options, so not much was being done as things got worse, quickly. He transitioned from a cane to a walker and completely depended on it. He was officially terminated from his job on March 1st. Then, in April, he turned 65 and got on Medicare and a whole new world of doctors and care was opened up to us. We worked hard to find out what’s wrong and why on earth he’s a young man and can’t walk. Between constant physical therapy, MRI’s, EMG’s, CT’s, and appointments at UPenn hospital, he was diagnosed with myelomalacia. It’s essentially the softening or “shrinking” of the spinal cord. His MRI’s are astounding looking. The spinal cord in his neck is so small, it’s a sliver. 4 or 5 discs in that region are being squeezed and the nerves that travel from his brain, through the spinal cord, and to the rest of his body are getting pinched and can barely pass through. Therefore, he can barely walk or move any muscles in his legs and feet, his arms are getting stiff too and all of his fingers are completely numb. It’s awful to watch him deteriorate.
However, now we have a small ray of hope thanks to Dr. Vincent Arlet at UPenn hospital. My dad will have the invasive spine surgery on Friday, June 15th.
Now, the question of money. Thankfully, the surgery and all that comes with it is covered under our surgery. However, now we’re a no income family and technically have been for 6 months. My dad has been collecting temporary disability since December, and social security since he turned 65 in April. With those 2 overlapping, we could barely stay afloat. However, temporary disability is only temporary, and my dad will be receiving his last check this month. Anyone with family or friends who are 65 and older knows that social security pays peanuts. To swallow my pride and put it bluntly, we can’t pay our bills anymore.
Donations: I can’t stress enough how much any amount of money is greatly appreciated. The money will be sent straight to my dad’s bank account and will be used wisely. Mainly to pay our piling-up bills. My dad will be going into rehab for 4 weeks post surgery to receive the care and attention he needs. My mom and I have never lived alone before, so the money will also be used so we can feed ourselves and go grocery shopping and to prepare the house to be comfortable for dad’s painful recovery when he returns home. My dad taught me how to take my first steps as a baby, now I want to see him take his first steps again.
So that’s my sap story. Sorry it was lengthy and I greatly appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this and donate ANY amount at all. Thank you.
Best wishes, Marlee
Organizer
Marlee Chesler
Organizer
Cherry Hill, NJ