Help Amy Heal — Spinal Fusion Surgery & Recovery Fund

Hi, I’m Amy.

I’ve been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis, which have caused years of chronic pain and nerve compression.

For a long time, surgery wasn’t on the table — the plan was to manage the pain through therapy and injections. But that all changed after two devastating falls this summer:

July 10: my first fall on the sidewalk.

July 24: I underwent a nerve block in my cervical spine (C4–C6).

August 6: my second fall — much worse, causing further injury.

Those falls accelerated everything. What was once “eventually” became “as soon as possible.” Since then, I’ve been undergoing a nerve ablation series in my cervical spine to help manage the upper spine and neck pain while preparing for the lumbar spinal fusion (L4–S1) scheduled for December 18, 2025, at Rush University Medical Center.

Everyday life has become a quiet battle. The pain is constant — heavy and unrelenting. Even the simplest tasks — grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, bathing — feel like moving through deep water with weights tied to my limbs. Each small victory, like standing long enough to make a meal or wash my hair, feels monumental.

This surgery is massive — and it’s my only real chance at walking and living without constant, debilitating pain. Without it, I risk permanent nerve damage and losing my independence completely.

I’ve been doing this entirely alone. Earlier this year, I was fired from my job at UIC after showing up to work injured. I don’t have a family support system to lean on — no one to fall back on for rides, meals, or bills. Everything — from housing to medical logistics — has been on my shoulders.

I’m raising funds to help cover:

Surgery and medical costs not covered by insurance

Rent and living expenses during recovery

Transportation to and from appointments

Physical therapy and post-op pain

On 5/14/2025, I celebrated 1 year of sobriety — I quit drinking because I wanted to rebuild myself and take control of my health, especially to address my worsening spine condition. Getting sober taught me resilience — that even when life knocks me flat, I can still stand up again. This surgery is my next step toward reclaiming my life, my health, and my independence.

Every donation, every share, every kind word helps me keep going. Thank you for believing in me — and for helping me fight my way back.

— Amy Luke