Spine surgery recovery

I first ventured onto skis at just 20 months old, guided down the hill in the yard of my childhood home. My lifelong passion for skiing is well-known to those around me, and many of you are familiar with the numerous injuries I've had to overcome during my years of competing and coaching.

At the age of 13, I experienced a my first big ski crash when I overshot the landing of a big air jump, traveling 150 feet to flat, rendering me unconscious and barely able to walk afterward.

Unfortunately, this injury never fully healed and resurfaced with greater intensity when I was 22, following another severe crash while attempting another big air jump. Medical examinations revealed that I had bulged four discs in my lumbar region, leaving me reliant on a cane for several months, though surgery was not recommended due to my age.

Over the course of a decade, I accumulated several more injuries, resulting in three knee surgeries and a shoulder surgery, along with countless hours of physical therapy.

My back eventually reached its breaking point. Recently, I sensed a deterioration in my back and sought a new MRI. The results were alarming, as my L5-S1 disc had completely ruptured, putting immense pressure on nearby nerves and even my spinal cord. Immediate action was essential to prevent the catastrophic risk of my spinal cord collapsing, which could lead to paralysis or worse.

My choices were limited to either fusion or a discectomy to delay fusion. However, neither option offered a definitive solution, instead leading to a lifelong cycle of more surgeries and diminishing spine mobility with each procedure. Fortunately, the timing aligned in my favor, and I was able to enroll in a trial surgery for a total joint replacement in my spine. This groundbreaking procedure involves the removal of the entire disc, the removal of facet joints, and drilling channels into the vertabrae to allow for the implantation of a biomechanical device into the space left by the disc. This approach is unlike the other surgeries, as it offers the promise of a full recovery without the need for additional procedures.

Remarkably, this surgery is fast-tracked by the FDA, and I will be one of the first 500 individuals to undergo it. Instead of losing mobility in my spine, as with fusion, I can look forward to regaining the ability to engage in all the activities I love.

While this opportunity is a true blessing, it's important to acknowledge that this year-long ordeal has left me unable to work. Even with the surgery scheduled for November 22, I won't be able to return to work until March or April. During this challenging period, I rely on your support to navigate my recovery.

Living off the grid has significantly reduced my cost of living, requiring only about $600 per month to cover my essentials. I can contribute a portion of this myself, but I still need assistance with the rest. Specifically, I require approximately $240 per month for various expenses, including $60 for gas to purchase groceries, $80 for propane to maintain heating, and $120 for dog food. This totals $960 for four months, and considering the small percentage taken by GoFundMe, I've set my goal slightly higher.

Your support, whether through financial contributions or words of encouragement, means the world to me. While this procedure is incredibly promising, the fact that it's still in the trial phase is both exciting and terrifying. Your assistance will make a significant difference as I embark on this journey to recovery.