Support Rhoda's Recovery from Urgent Spinal Surgery

Hi, my name is Rhoda, and I’ve been helping people most of my adult life. Now it's my turn to ask for help. It's so hard for me to do. But the medical bills for my urgent spinal surgery are piling up, and the federal government does not offer short term disability! Can you believe it!? I’m an Acupuncturist and I now work at the Veteran’s Administration helping disabled and emotionally traumatized veterans every day. But the government doesn't take care of me when I have an emergency. I raised my daughter as a single mom, effecting my finances. I’m also a meditator and dedicated Buddhist.

Many of you know that, shortly after I began fundraising for a contemplative psychology program, I began to have serious neck pain and nerve pain. This past March, I found out through MRI and Neurosurgery consult that there was actually no space around my spinal cord at the C5/C6 level and also severe stenosis of the foramen (the canals for the nerves to go out of the vertebrae were severely narrowed). I was having pain every night, tingling in my hands and also my feet, and it was getting worse. I had tried everything, PT, Acupuncture, safe Chiropractic, steroids, meds and nothing was working.

In fact, due to the constriction of the spinal cord, I was at increased risk of being paralyzed if in an accident (say, if I was rear ended while in a car), and the spinal compromise symptoms were likely to get worse. I opted for surgery. This has been overwhelming emotionally and physically. I kept working until the surgery date, which was May 22nd, but was getting poor sleep and couldn't be on computers again after work without causing even more pain.

Since May, I have been recovering. I had to wear a cervical collar 24/7 for 6 weeks, you can see me modeling it in the pic (with my new short hair cut, just to make life easier)! I have managed to continue with the Karuna Training since it is a hybrid program. This has been a huge emotional support during this time.

However, the VA as a federal entity does not give short term disability payments, that is state funded, so I have had to take leave without pay. I had to take a loan to survive. While it was covered by insurance, I am also amassing thousands in medical bill copays. Sigh. I had just finally ALMOST paid off the debt from losing my job during Covid. Now it is back again. I am accepting this as the ebb and flow of life. It also has its own teachings. But I could really use your help.

Thank you all very, very much for your support of all kinds, it means so much to me. I am touched deeply by your compassionate hearts.

Much love,

Rhoda