Help with Anna's Spinal Surgery

Anna has idiopathic thoracolumbar scoliosis, a disorder of the spine that causes it to progressively curve sideways.  Anna was first diagnosed at age seven, and at age eleven she was put into a brace to slow the curvature and hopefully avoid surgery.  As her curves progressed, so did her pain.  She would wear two different types of braces for the next five years until age 16, when it appeared her curves had stabilized at 37 degrees each.   

EMERGENCY SITUATION 
Fast forward to March of 2018 when Anna suddenly had extreme pain that went beyond anything she had experienced prior.  Her medications did nothing to alleviate the pain.  By this time, Anna was married and living in Australia with her husband, Aaron.  Anna went to specialists in Australia and it was determined that her curves had unexpectedly progressed by over ten degrees.  X-rays also showed four bulging discs, one that was impinging on her sciatic nerve, as well as a severely degenerated disc.   

Once the curves start progressing to these levels, surgery becomes necessary due to the impact on the spine and potential damage to the heart and lungs.  Although fusion surgery (where your spine is fused into a solid unit) is typically recommended, Anna is not a good candidate for this surgery due to the length of her curves and other factors.    

A NEW SURGICAL OPTION
About 20 years ago, a new surgical technique was developed called Anterior Scoliosis Correction.  (For an explanation of this procedure, please click here .)  In this procedure, a pin is drilled into the side of each vertebrae and then a flexible cord is attached to each pin.  This technique has been proven to straighten the spine, alleviate chronic and acute pain and allow flexibility.      

OUR FIRST MIRACLE!
We began researching doctors in the United States who perform ASC on adults and we found only two.  The one closest to our state is also the same doctor who saw Anna when she was a child being treated at Shriner’s Hospital in Philadelphia!  Kim immediately contacted this doctor and shared what was happening with Anna and our journey toward ASC surgery began.

ANNA IS APPROVED FOR THIS LIFE CHANGING SURGERY
We have now completed the pre-screening process and Anna has finally been officially approved for ASC surgery – currently scheduled to take place on July 30, 2018, in New Jersey.

We praise God that He led us to retain Anna on our insurance policy after she married, but because it is a rare surgery for adults, the only doctors who can perform Anna’s surgery are out of network and it is not currently clear how much of the surgical costs will be covered by our insurance.  

SURGERY & RECOVERY DETAILS
Anna will be tethered from T5 – L4, meaning they will be putting pins in each vertebrae from the bottom of her neck to where her hips begin.  She is in a very tiny category of people who have ever been tethered that low on the spine.  Anna’s lungs will be deflated during the procedure (one side, then the other).   Provided all goes well, Anna will be in the hospital for one full week following her surgery.  We will then stay in a hotel near the hospital for 3-4 days to make sure everything is healing properly.  We will then (Lord willing!) return to our home in Mechanicsburg for Anna’s recovery. 

OUR FINANCIAL NEED
While our insurance has yet to verify coverage of Anna’s hospital charges, we need to send a down payment of $45,000.00 plus a promissory note for $20,000.00 by June 30, 2018 to her surgeons. 

In addition to these surgical fees, insurance is still determining our initial deductible, which will range from $10,000.00-$20,000.00.   As well, we need to fly Anna to the United States from Australia and then back to Australia after her surgery via business class (lie flat seating, with a current cost estimate of $8,500.00 for a one-way ticket).  Three to four nights of nearby hotel accommodations following hospital stay are also in view; in addition to other items we need to purchase for her recuperation for months afterwards (zero gravity chair, special padded bedding, etc.).  

Your contributions will go toward Anna’s out of pocket medical expenses (before, during and after surgery) and travel/lodging expenses.  So, before confirmation of what insurance will pay, and in consideration of what other families have experienced, our current estimate of out of pocket costs is $85,000.00.  

PRAYER NEEDS

The surgery is complicated and carries with it a number of risks.  Please pray that all goes well for her.  Our first meeting with the surgeons will be on 7/24/18 followed by surgery on 7/30/18.  Please pray for her travel from Australia to the US on 7/20-21/18, for our meeting with surgeons and for her preparations before surgery.   Please also pray for her incisions, for when they collapse her lungs, put in her pins and connect her tethers.  Please pray that the tethers they use would never break for her entire lifetime.  As you know, Anna has a history of infection with her leg surgery, so please pray for no infection. 

Anna has endured much pain since she was six years old – chronic and acute.  For many people who undergo this surgery, they leave the hospital pain free.  For some the pain returns months after surgery.  Others experience a combination.  We are of course hoping and praying for total alleviation of pain that does not return.  

Anna’s husband Aaron is on the brink of going into the Royal Australian Air Force (expected departure date is in July).  Please pray for both Aaron and Anna as they wait to hear definitive plans from the RAAF and as they deal with being away from one another at this time.
 
We will keep you posted on this site and will update you as we journey into the next several months!  Thank you so much for considering supporting us in prayer and/or with your financial support.  Your encouragement and support means the world to us.    

With love and prayers,
Anna, Aaron, Joseph, Nate & Kim