Help Daneen Heal: A Journey Toward Relief, Stability, and Hope

Hi, my name is Nola, and I’m raising this GoFundMe for my mom, Daneen — an incredibly strong, loving, and spiritual woman who has spent her life caring for everyone around her, even while living in pain.

For as long as I can remember, my mom has lived with chronic pain. But this past year has changed everything. What began as manageable discomfort has turned into a relentless storm of spinal degeneration, nerve pain, arthritis, and severe mobility challenges that now affect nearly every part of her life.

She recently underwent a major spinal procedure — anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery — meant to relieve some of the nerve pain in her neck and upper spine. Unfortunately, her recovery has been incredibly difficult. The pain remains severe. She experiences side effects from medications like mental fogginess and memory issues, and she continues to struggle with depression.

Before she was able to return home, she endured very difficult experiences in both the hospital and nursing home, adding to the emotional toll of her recovery. And now, we’ve learned that she will also need foot surgery on both feet due to advanced arthritis, fused big toes, drooping soles, and bone spurs in both heels.

She’s also now facing serious issues in her lower spine and is scheduled to get a lumbar epidural next month to try to relieve intense nerve pain. Doctors aren’t yet sure if her difficulty walking is being caused by her spinal nerves, her feet, or both — and in the meantime, even the brush of a bedsheet can send pain shooting through her body.

Despite all of this, she continues to show up with grace — watering her plants when she can, checking in with her grandchild, and reminding all of us to hold onto faith.

She’s doing everything she can: attending medical appointments, exploring alternative healing, searching for affordable therapy, and continuing to believe that healing is possible. But she’s currently without income and struggling to afford basic necessities like rent, bills, medications, and therapy.

How the funds will help:

All donations will go directly toward:

Rent and bills to help keep her stable and in her home

Medications and medical supplies

Mental health care and therapy

Transportation to appointments and treatments

Surgery-related expenses for her upcoming foot procedures

Day-to-day essentials like food and household items during recovery

Every small donation makes a real difference. If you’ve ever known someone who lives in pain but still finds a way to love others deeply — you’ve known someone like my mom.

Thank you so much for reading, sharing, and supporting. Your kindness means more than words can express.

With gratitude,

Nola