Support Paulina's Journey to Pain-Free Creativity

Paulina’s Medical Journey

Paulina is a talented local artist and graphic designer from Lakewood, Ohio. Her dreams and livelihood lie in her hands and their ability to create. So it was very unfortunate when Paulina started to experience shooting pain in her right dominate hand at the beginning of her career. For years her pain worsened, which eventually led to her quitting her creative career and beginning her long medical journey for answers and healing.

She has now had one surgery and is preparing for her second surgery in December.

Surgery 1

After years and countless tests- MRI’s, EMG’s, x-rays, blood tests, and ultrasounds- Paulina finally received a diagnosis. Her right ulnar nerve was dislocated at her elbow. Having endured years of pain and misery, she wanted to shout her diagnosis from a mountain top, her medical journey finally had a finish line- surgery. On June 13th 2024, Paulina had ulnar nerve transposition surgery (and carpal tunnel surgery!) and began her 8-week recovery period. Though very limited in her capabilities during this time, she was good spirits at the thought of her hand finally being pain-free and restarting her creative career.

Complications and Surgery 2

For most people with her diagnosis and consequential surgery, this is where the story would end. Unfortunately, this is where Paulina’s need for help comes into play. In September 2024, Paulina started a new job and was slowly easing her arm back into full function, when she started to notice a snapping sensation in her right elbow and that her pain was returning. She consulted with her doctors, who ordered an ultrasound of her post-op elbow. The results showed her tricep was snapping on her (now in place) ulnar nerve, a condition called snapping tricep. It is a very rare side effect of ulnar nerve transposition surgery and there is no certain reason why it surfaced post-op. The only cure for snapping tricep is surgery. Paulina was devastated to find out she once again needed surgery, and that if she didn’t- the same pain she had experienced for years would persist. At 32, all she wants is for her pain to be gone so she can live her life. Her second surgery is scheduled for December 20th, 2024.

Use of Funds

For her first surgery, Paulina had been anticipating surgical intervention as her pain worsened, so she saved up with every paycheck to fund her recovery. This time around, blindsided by a rare complication and having just returned work, Paulina has not had time to save up the funds needed for her living expenses during her 6-8 week recovery period.

This fund was created to help Paulina with her living expenses- rent, bills, groceries, etc- as she heals from her second operation. As of right now, we believe her surgery will be covered, leaving only her recovery period as financial burden. We are turning to friends, family and the public out of necessity, as this is all quite literally, out of Paulina’s hands. Any donation, big or small, will help Paulina come out of her recovery unburdened and ready to restart her future.