Update #1: we are 3 procedures in and Elizabeth is being a champ. The days right after each treatment seem to be the worst and her pain level spikes. The 2 back procedures have been successful, the neck one (which is where the worst of the damage is) was not and they will need to go back in and remove the bone spurs and implant a stimulator (this will probably be in late May or early June)

Elizabeth has a surgery scheduled for the 31st and an ablation at 3 vertebrae (bi-lateral) the following day. We were shocked to discover that a large portion of the next 2 surgeries are not covered by insurance and our share of cost is just under $10k.

Thank you to everyone who has sent well wishes, shared our gofundme and/or contributed. We appreciate you.

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My wife, Elizabeth, has been dealing with some rather painful health issues for a few years now. After the birth of our second daughter we thought many of the issues were due to her having been on total bedrest during the entire pregnancy. Her ability to walk moderate distances, unassisted, slowly became short distances and about a year ago she became dependent on a wheelchair when we leave the house. The pain becoming tingling which then became numbness and an inability to control her limbs.

This inability to use her limbs and an increase in pain levels has, as you would expect, negativity impacted all areas of life. Playing with our girls, driving, working, even thinking clearly have all become challenging. She says the mom guilt has been overwhelming and she just wants to be able to take them to the park or even get down on the ground and play with them.

Even with countless specialists, tests, research, hours of physical therapy there were no real answers. But after her stroke last September Elizabeth was able to get on the wait list for a new specialists and in late January we were able to find some answers! This new doctor has been absolutely amazing and has laid out a pathway for Elizabeth, and our little family, to regain some normalcy.

With the help of this new specialists we were able to discover that Elizabeth's degenerative disc disease and multi-level spondilosis has progressed to having many bone spurs and spinal stenosis. There are now multiple bulging discs, along with a narrowing & flattening of the spinal cord pathway & her arthritis in her spine has also advanced and spread to neighboring areas. This is what's been contributing to the horrendous pain and numbness in her limbs.

While there is no fix for the diseases thankfully there are procedures and surgeries which can help Elizabeth gain use of her limbs and manage the pain, without heavy duty medication. She is now scheduled for a series of these treatments but we need help. We have been working towards meeting our deductible and max out of pocket but there's still more than we can handle. To prolong or push out her procedures and surgery means more agonizing days. Our hope is to begin treatments on March 11th with an almost weekly series of therapy, procedures and surgeries stretched out till summer.

The funds we raise here will help cover our share of costs, medications and home health devices/services to aid in recovery. Any little bit helps during this time.

Thank you for anything you can spare to get us to our goal and get some relief so our kids can have their mom again.