- J
- M
- J
Hello my name is Tom Cathey.
Recently I suffered an unexpected Life altering physical change which is debilitating. Causing partial paralysis to my left foot referred to as "Drop Foot". Causing continues pain from my left buttock down my leg and contributed leg weakness and Balance problems.
I been Diagnosis with Degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc, Foraminal stenosis of lumbar region, anterior osteophyte, Degenerative endplate changes and CORD/CAUDA EQUINA.
I am Disabled now and unable to work because of this injury. I have been off work for over a month. I have already exhausted my savings and barrowed what money was available to me. I loss all my income in a matter of days. I am so desperate that I tried to convince two doctors to sign a release to work form. But I was not successful.
I’m in desperate need of assistance and it’s critical that $3,000 be raised before March 4. This is to pay my rent and utilities for March. With God blessing and compassionate people the goal can be achieved.
If I fall short I will receive a 3-day notice. If I still am unable to raise the funds at point. The eviction process will begin.
I am reaching out to all who would read my story and compassionately share this with Family, Friends and Social Media asking them to join the others in making their donations.
All donations will be used to pay,
Medical insurance, medical bills, Union Dues, Doctor visits, Medications, Transportation, Communications, Rent, Utilities, Food for my 3 pets and myself, etc.
I am now generating unpaid bills. My unpaid medical bills are almost a $1,000. I am a week away from having no form of communications, which makes it impossible to contact my doctors. I'm less than two weeks away from being evicted and homeless. and losing everything I can’t carry.
Friday I received a call from the Neurosurgeon office telling me an emergency appointment to see the Neurosurgeon has been scheduled for Wednesday. We are not yet at the treatment stage. Until then I am just waiting with no end in sight.
I can no longer ride my bike or drive my car. This all happened in just a few days. One day I was working and three days later I'm considered disabled. My work does not allow restricted duty. So, I am unable to work at all.
I submitted claims for short term disability on January 27, 2017. But due to several Internal errors and SDI Website that is problematic at best. I have no income. I have already used all my saving, max out my credit cards and borrowed what little money I could. I can’t get a loan because I don’t have income.
I am 10 days away for being evited from my apartment. I need funds to pay my medical insurance, Co-payments for my doctor visit and medications. Without medical treatment, my symptoms will continue their course making parts of me not function piece to piece.
Since I can’t drive anymore I was using Uber for my doctor visits. This is no longer an option. My cell phone and Internet service will expire on Feb 24. and I don’t have the resources to renew the services. I have enough food and water for the next four days for my pets and me.
I was homeless 3 years ago, for almost a year. I was living in my Expedition with barley enough money to stay at a hotel that doesn’t require deposits but wants cash up front first. No long-term stays meant having to relocate to another hotel hoping it wasn’t in a bad area. Please without your donations I will have literally give up my things and take only what I can. The sheriff will be the ones removing my stuff from the apartment on to the streets.
Living in the Expedition is not an option now because I can’t drive and I since rode my bike for the past three years I didn’t keep up the insurance and registration.
Please donate what you can as soon as you can. Please share this with your family, friends, and social media. Know that your generosity and assistance is greatly appreciated. I am not looking for handouts. I am asking for a hand to get me through this unexpected turn of events. I will pass-it-forward once I recover from this.
About Me
Prior to this injury my life was typical. I was gainfully employed and I was content with my life. I live with the 3-great companion. God has truly blessed me. I have a Golden Retriever named Koda who's 4. Two cats, GraceMae she is 12 and Socks who's 14.
Here's Koda at one year.
This is GraceMae (She's not really a red head)
Socks sleeping while Koda and I celebrate my B-day
This year started off uneventful. It was going well. Then on January 16th everything literally came to a stop. I was unable to walk, sit and or move my left leg because of the severe pain. The pain started at the top of my left buttocks and ran down to my toes. The muscles that runs from the knee down the shin to the top of the foot was in pain. I still had full use of my left leg until the next day when paralysis affected my foot. I am unable to walk more than 10 minutes. The more I walk the greater the pain in my left leg and buttocks. The pain never subsidies and is at its lowest level only when I am lying on my back.
I look back to when I was 28 years’ young. Physically, the only worries I had was how to squeeze a trip to the gym in to my busy daily schedule. My working career began at the age of thirteen. I sold newspaper subscriptions door to door. I had to get a work permit to work. My work ethics has always been work safely, and take pride in your work.
This me when I was 28.
From left Me (31) Jenna, Tommy, Sharlet and Janell
Growing up we didn't have health insurance. So, if it wasn't broken, we patched it up ourselves. If we did break something we removed the cast ourselves. I played football with broken ribs, nose, and fingers while in college. Injured tape it up, and if a few days off were needed, so be it. I have always returned to work as is. I did this, because it wasn't about me, I had a family who were depending on me.
It's been 46 years since I began working. Man, the time has passed so fast, like a blink of an eye. Everything has changed. The kids are off pursuing their dreams. It's just me and the family pets now. I will be 59 years’ young in just over a month. Mentally, I'm still that 28-year guy. Physically, my body has its own agenda.
In the past 25 years, I have been Diagnosis with
Asthma
Herniated Disc
Heart Attack 2013
Osteoarthritis 2014
Copd (chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) 2013
I've never collected unemployment, worker comp or disability. After my heart attack. I changed my diet and started riding a bike to work every day, rain, or shine. I rode that bike for 3 years from Jan 2014 to Jan 2017. I rode 12 miles a day for two of those years and 5 miles a day this last year. I worked in a railroad maintenance yard. Walking 5 to 7 miles during my shift approximately. I lost 27 pounds and felt great. I continue to work toward retirement. My biggest fear was retiring and then passing away. I realized, if that happens, I won't be around anyway.
I have lost the feeling in my left foot and both my thighs. I lost partial use of my left leg. The medical term is "Drop Foot". My foot just hangs there. A simply task of putting on your socks and shoes is not so simple anymore. I must be careful putting my left shoe on. One time I folded my toes in two different directions while shoving my foot into a shoe.
Some details from the MRI.
Diagnoses:
Degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc, Foraminal stenosis of lumbar region, anterior osteophyte, Degenerative endplate changes and CORD/CAUDA EQUINA
Lumbar Disc Levels:
Posterior annular tear (x2), paracentral disc protrusion, Broad-based disc bulge (x3), ligamentum flavum Hypertrophy (x3), mild, moderate and severe central canal stenosis, effacement of the CSF surrounding the nerve roots, encroachment upon the bilateral neural foramen, left and right neural foramen and mass effect upon the exiting right L3 nerve root and the exiting left L4 nerve root,
Finding:
There appears to be a congenitally narrowed central canal which contributes significantly to central canal stenosis and mass effect upon the nerve roots. This is most prominent posterior to L2 and L3.
At L2-L3 there is a left paracentral disc protrusion. This in conjunction with ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and a congenitally narrowed central canal cause severe central canal stenosis with narrowing of the central canal to 5 mm in an AP dimension. There is effacement of the CSF surrounding the nerve roots.
At L3-L4 there is a moderate disc bulge. This in conjunction with ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and the congenitally narrowed central canal cause severe central canal stenosis with narrowing of the central canal to 5 mm. Additionally, there may be mass effect upon the exiting right L3 nerve root.
At L4-L5, there is moderate central canal stenosis. There is possible encroachment upon the exiting left L4 nerve root from facet arthropathy.
Foot drop, left foot, Left leg weakness, Balance problems. Reported episodes of dizziness not yet worked up.
End of MRI.
https://funds.gofundme.com/dashboard/tommys-emergency-disability-funds/customize/description
Recently I suffered an unexpected Life altering physical change which is debilitating. Causing partial paralysis to my left foot referred to as "Drop Foot". Causing continues pain from my left buttock down my leg and contributed leg weakness and Balance problems.
I been Diagnosis with Degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc, Foraminal stenosis of lumbar region, anterior osteophyte, Degenerative endplate changes and CORD/CAUDA EQUINA.
I am Disabled now and unable to work because of this injury. I have been off work for over a month. I have already exhausted my savings and barrowed what money was available to me. I loss all my income in a matter of days. I am so desperate that I tried to convince two doctors to sign a release to work form. But I was not successful.
I’m in desperate need of assistance and it’s critical that $3,000 be raised before March 4. This is to pay my rent and utilities for March. With God blessing and compassionate people the goal can be achieved.
If I fall short I will receive a 3-day notice. If I still am unable to raise the funds at point. The eviction process will begin.
I am reaching out to all who would read my story and compassionately share this with Family, Friends and Social Media asking them to join the others in making their donations.
All donations will be used to pay,
Medical insurance, medical bills, Union Dues, Doctor visits, Medications, Transportation, Communications, Rent, Utilities, Food for my 3 pets and myself, etc.
I am now generating unpaid bills. My unpaid medical bills are almost a $1,000. I am a week away from having no form of communications, which makes it impossible to contact my doctors. I'm less than two weeks away from being evicted and homeless. and losing everything I can’t carry.
Friday I received a call from the Neurosurgeon office telling me an emergency appointment to see the Neurosurgeon has been scheduled for Wednesday. We are not yet at the treatment stage. Until then I am just waiting with no end in sight.
I can no longer ride my bike or drive my car. This all happened in just a few days. One day I was working and three days later I'm considered disabled. My work does not allow restricted duty. So, I am unable to work at all.
I submitted claims for short term disability on January 27, 2017. But due to several Internal errors and SDI Website that is problematic at best. I have no income. I have already used all my saving, max out my credit cards and borrowed what little money I could. I can’t get a loan because I don’t have income.
I am 10 days away for being evited from my apartment. I need funds to pay my medical insurance, Co-payments for my doctor visit and medications. Without medical treatment, my symptoms will continue their course making parts of me not function piece to piece.
Since I can’t drive anymore I was using Uber for my doctor visits. This is no longer an option. My cell phone and Internet service will expire on Feb 24. and I don’t have the resources to renew the services. I have enough food and water for the next four days for my pets and me.
I was homeless 3 years ago, for almost a year. I was living in my Expedition with barley enough money to stay at a hotel that doesn’t require deposits but wants cash up front first. No long-term stays meant having to relocate to another hotel hoping it wasn’t in a bad area. Please without your donations I will have literally give up my things and take only what I can. The sheriff will be the ones removing my stuff from the apartment on to the streets.
Living in the Expedition is not an option now because I can’t drive and I since rode my bike for the past three years I didn’t keep up the insurance and registration.
Please donate what you can as soon as you can. Please share this with your family, friends, and social media. Know that your generosity and assistance is greatly appreciated. I am not looking for handouts. I am asking for a hand to get me through this unexpected turn of events. I will pass-it-forward once I recover from this.
About Me
Prior to this injury my life was typical. I was gainfully employed and I was content with my life. I live with the 3-great companion. God has truly blessed me. I have a Golden Retriever named Koda who's 4. Two cats, GraceMae she is 12 and Socks who's 14.
Here's Koda at one year.
This is GraceMae (She's not really a red head)
Socks sleeping while Koda and I celebrate my B-day
This year started off uneventful. It was going well. Then on January 16th everything literally came to a stop. I was unable to walk, sit and or move my left leg because of the severe pain. The pain started at the top of my left buttocks and ran down to my toes. The muscles that runs from the knee down the shin to the top of the foot was in pain. I still had full use of my left leg until the next day when paralysis affected my foot. I am unable to walk more than 10 minutes. The more I walk the greater the pain in my left leg and buttocks. The pain never subsidies and is at its lowest level only when I am lying on my back.
I look back to when I was 28 years’ young. Physically, the only worries I had was how to squeeze a trip to the gym in to my busy daily schedule. My working career began at the age of thirteen. I sold newspaper subscriptions door to door. I had to get a work permit to work. My work ethics has always been work safely, and take pride in your work.
This me when I was 28.
From left Me (31) Jenna, Tommy, Sharlet and Janell
Growing up we didn't have health insurance. So, if it wasn't broken, we patched it up ourselves. If we did break something we removed the cast ourselves. I played football with broken ribs, nose, and fingers while in college. Injured tape it up, and if a few days off were needed, so be it. I have always returned to work as is. I did this, because it wasn't about me, I had a family who were depending on me.
It's been 46 years since I began working. Man, the time has passed so fast, like a blink of an eye. Everything has changed. The kids are off pursuing their dreams. It's just me and the family pets now. I will be 59 years’ young in just over a month. Mentally, I'm still that 28-year guy. Physically, my body has its own agenda.
In the past 25 years, I have been Diagnosis with
Asthma
Herniated Disc
Heart Attack 2013
Osteoarthritis 2014
Copd (chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) 2013
I've never collected unemployment, worker comp or disability. After my heart attack. I changed my diet and started riding a bike to work every day, rain, or shine. I rode that bike for 3 years from Jan 2014 to Jan 2017. I rode 12 miles a day for two of those years and 5 miles a day this last year. I worked in a railroad maintenance yard. Walking 5 to 7 miles during my shift approximately. I lost 27 pounds and felt great. I continue to work toward retirement. My biggest fear was retiring and then passing away. I realized, if that happens, I won't be around anyway.
I have lost the feeling in my left foot and both my thighs. I lost partial use of my left leg. The medical term is "Drop Foot". My foot just hangs there. A simply task of putting on your socks and shoes is not so simple anymore. I must be careful putting my left shoe on. One time I folded my toes in two different directions while shoving my foot into a shoe.
Some details from the MRI.
Diagnoses:
Degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc, Foraminal stenosis of lumbar region, anterior osteophyte, Degenerative endplate changes and CORD/CAUDA EQUINA
Lumbar Disc Levels:
Posterior annular tear (x2), paracentral disc protrusion, Broad-based disc bulge (x3), ligamentum flavum Hypertrophy (x3), mild, moderate and severe central canal stenosis, effacement of the CSF surrounding the nerve roots, encroachment upon the bilateral neural foramen, left and right neural foramen and mass effect upon the exiting right L3 nerve root and the exiting left L4 nerve root,
Finding:
There appears to be a congenitally narrowed central canal which contributes significantly to central canal stenosis and mass effect upon the nerve roots. This is most prominent posterior to L2 and L3.
At L2-L3 there is a left paracentral disc protrusion. This in conjunction with ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and a congenitally narrowed central canal cause severe central canal stenosis with narrowing of the central canal to 5 mm in an AP dimension. There is effacement of the CSF surrounding the nerve roots.
At L3-L4 there is a moderate disc bulge. This in conjunction with ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and the congenitally narrowed central canal cause severe central canal stenosis with narrowing of the central canal to 5 mm. Additionally, there may be mass effect upon the exiting right L3 nerve root.
At L4-L5, there is moderate central canal stenosis. There is possible encroachment upon the exiting left L4 nerve root from facet arthropathy.
Foot drop, left foot, Left leg weakness, Balance problems. Reported episodes of dizziness not yet worked up.
End of MRI.
https://funds.gofundme.com/dashboard/tommys-emergency-disability-funds/customize/description