
Surgery complications, spinal cord injury
Donation protected
Hi my name is Mary and I am fundraising for myself. I had what was supposed to be a standard neck fusion surgery at the end of November 2022. There ended up being severe complications, which led to a 2nd emergency surgery within 24 hours of the 1st surgery. The surgeon had to undo what was done in the 1st surgery and then do a completely different surgery the 2nd time. Although the 2nd surgery was deemed a success (the neck fusion itself), I was left with a permanent spinal cord injury caused during the 1st surgery. It is called an "incomplete spinal cord injury". I started off in a wheelchair and with very hard work moved up to a walker and am now walking on my own. Which I thank God for!!! Unfortunately, the spinal cord injury I sustained is permanent and I am left with a multitude of physical issues and symptoms that I deal with/struggle with daily. Such as partial paralysis in different parts of my body as well as overactive and underactive nerve issues, and extreme fatigue from my body having to work harder than usual to do normal functions. I am working very hard in physical therapy, but only time will tell how much I will be able to recover and what function I will regain. I am being told by my medical team that it can take anywhere from 6 months to a year, or even longer to know for sure. I am doing my very best to stay positive and was just released from my neck brace, but have not been released from my doctor to work. My time off of work was originally not supposed to be near this long. So I am now out of funds to pay my household bills. I am doing my best to try and bring in any money I can through selling a few things online but it isn't amounting to much. I had no idea this was going to happen, as it is an extreme situation and circumstance. I do not want to have to ask for help, but I am in a situation where I am exhausting all of my efforts with local community organizations/agencies and trying to bring in money myself. This is the reason I am reaching out. It won't stop me from continuing to try to bring in money myself as I am a fighter and will never give up. Thank you for anything you can do to help. I am humbled and most thankful. Prayers would be appreciated as well, as this has been emotionally draining, to put it mildly. With me having no medical devices now, it is more difficult for people seeing me to realize I am struggling and going through so much. It is all invisible to others, other than my scar and I walk differently. I continue to try to smile through it all. This has been a journey and will continue to be. God has a plan I just know! God Bless!
Organizer
Mary Motsinger
Organizer
Columbia, MO