Hello possible donor!

My name is London Patton and I am a mother, a writer, and a woman who loves life even when life gets hard. My daughter Cherish is my heart. She is kind, funny, creative, and the reason I keep showing up every day. We have built a little world together filled with love, laughter, and faith.

In 2020 I had spinal fusion surgery after years of pain that affected my ability to walk and function normally. For a while I was doing well. I went back to work, started rebuilding my strength, and believed that chapter was behind me. But over the past several months the pain returned stronger than ever. After new imaging and consultations, I learned that my original fusion has failed. The bone has shifted by 14 millimeters, one screw is loose, and another is pressing through the bone. It explains the constant pain, the sleepless nights, and the muscle spasms that have taken over my legs.

My surgeon has scheduled me for a major reconstructive procedure that will take place over several days. The first surgery will remove the failed hardware from my spine. The second will open me from the front to add cushioning and stability between my vertebrae. The third will go back through my back to secure new hardware and fuse my spine from L4 down to my pelvis. I will be in the hospital for at least a week, possibly longer, and my recovery will take several months.

If you know me, you know I love to work. I take pride in what I do and in providing for my daughter. My short-term disability benefits have begun, but they are only a portion of my normal income and simply not enough to cover all of our living expenses while I recover. On top of that I still have to pay my weekly insurance premium of 87 dollars to keep my coverage active, along with out-of-pocket costs related to surgery, medications, and physical therapy.

Cherish’s birthday is also coming up right around the time of my surgery, and I want her to still feel celebrated and loved even while I’m in the hospital. She has been so strong through all of this, helping me around the house and keeping me smiling when I’m in pain.

If you feel led to help, here are a few ways you can support us

• Contribute to this fund to help cover medical, household, and recovery expenses

• Help make Cherish’s birthday special this year

• Purchase my book Becoming — every sale helps us directly through royalties

This has been one of the hardest seasons of my life, but also one that has reminded me that I am surrounded by love. I believe in healing, in community, and in the God who never leaves us stranded.

Thank you for reading our story, for your prayers, and for any way you choose to support. Every bit of love helps me breathe a little easier and focus on recovery.

With love and gratitude

London Patton