Nathalia's Spinal Fusion

This was to be my  busiest spring to date, filling my calendar with long driving tours of modeling shoots with the goal of earning my Kundaliani Yoga teaching certification, while continuing to support myself as a full-time model.  But while modeling on the East coast, a longtime chronic neck injury returned with a vengeance, incapacitating me for a month. 

The inability to work and meet my obligations to photographers' was dishearting, but I was committed to bounce back and fullfill my obligations.  Yet this chronic injury has grown alarmingly worse, as the neck pain has intensified, moved into my shoulder blade and my right arm became increasingly numb and I'm unable to rotate the arm or carry anything heavier than a water bottle.

On April 4th I finally had an MRI at OSU and was shocked when I received a call yesterday urging me to return immediately.  I was told I had a SEVERE herniated disc at the C6/C7 vertebrae that requires immediate surgery. 
I was sick to my stomach when I first saw the MRI, there was such an obvious abnormality. 

I have two surgery options:
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
or Total Disc Replacement
The latter is more appealing, given I will have more mobility in my neck after the surgery. But I may be forced to take whatever surgery my meager insurance will accept.

Regardless, both surgeries require three months of recovery time.
I'm a bit blindsighted by all this and worried how I will support myself for these coming months. Being self-employed is a gift, however a disadvantage of self-employment means you only get paid when you work and there are no disability benefits.

A few photographer friends of mine suggested I start a Gofundme. As I won't be able to work, any financial contribution to aide this time off work and healing process would be immensely appreciated.

I'm trying to raise funds for the month I missed during the onset of this injury,  and anything that can float me during my three month recovery phase, with the goal of still earning my teacher's certification ... which I WAS SO CLOSE.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. Every positive thought and prayer is important and meaningful. I'm deeply thankful for your assistance.

Love, 
Nathalia