Help Sam with recovery from cervical surgery

I will be having surgery on my neck soon and will be on intense restrictions for about 6 weeks or more. I also will not be able to work so any assistance to keep our heads above water will be greatly appreciated. I did apply for disability but according to my case the average response time is 221 days. And as most people know, disability is usually denied on the first attempt. Even though the surgeons and doctors are telling me it’s not safe to work, I will still most likely not be approved. I have degenerative disc disease, which will not be going away. This is not something that is normally seen this severe in someone my age, and the doctors have not been able to find out why this has happened. It has resulted in several bulging disc in my lower back on top of the spinal narrowing, spinal cord compression, stenosis, osteocytes, and bulging discs in my neck.

The surgery and recovery will probably be taking place over the holidays and I am very scared of the effect this will have not only on our finances, but on my kids. They deserve to have their happy playful outgoing mom back, but they don’t deserve to suffer in the meantime. The doctor is a 3 hour drive each way as well, which is not cheap. My appointments usually only last about 5-10 minutes, I still don’t understand why in todays age we can’t do that over the phone. Not to mention, 6 hours sitting in a car results in extreme pain for me.

Anyone that knows me knows I don’t do “nothing” very well. I’m looking for movies, hobbies, and other things I will be able to do to entertain myself as well as spend time with my kids doing during my recovery. All suggestions are welcomed!

Thank you in advance for any assistance, thoughts, or prayers you are able to spare.

All money raised will be used to pay bills (rent, utilities, food, and gas to get to appointments) while I am unable to work. Unemployment is not an option due to self employment and disability will take too long, hopefully I’m all better by the time that would be approved, assuming it’s not denied as most cases are. My husband will have to take time off as well to help care for the kids as I won’t be able to pick up or hold our youngest (almost 2).