Bailey's Medical Fund

Bailey is 16 years old. She is my granddaughter that was diagnosed with Scheuermann's Kyphosis and degenerative disc disease in 2012.  After many appointments with orthopaedic specialists, it was determined in 2014 that she be fitted with a Boston Brace (Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral-Orthosis, or TLSO), a brace specifically made to fit her body and degree of kyphosis. This, however, did not improve her disease and the degree of kyphosis worsened. Her pain became intolerable, which prompted the specialists to perform her first surgery. On February 22, 2016,  a pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and a neurosurgeon performed a Spinal/Lumbar fusion and placed titanium rods and screws on either side of her spine. She was placed on her stomach after sedation to perform the surgery. Upon completion of the surgery, she was then turned onto her back. At that point, the neurosurgeon came to us in the waiting area and told my daughter Carla, Bailey's mother,  and the family that everything went fine. He then returned to surgery, extubated Bailey and performed neurological tests, which she failed. At that point, they realized that she had sustained a spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis of her right leg. The neurosurgeon then returned to us a second time to deliver the devastating news. They sedated her again and performed a second surgery removing the rods but leaving the screws. She was placed in intensive care for 4 days and then to the step-down unit for 3 days. On the 8th day, she was transferred to the rehab facility within Baptist Hospital. It was there that she endured painful physical and occupational therapy for 6 weeks. She was released at that time using a wheelchair. With outpatient physical therapy, she managed to take a few painful steps using a walker. On May 16, 2016, she was admitted to the hospital again to reinsert the rods. After 7 days she was released and continued with her physical therapy on an outpatient basis. She started to have increasing pain that prompted another orthopaedic visit. An MRI was performed which revealed several herniated discs which exacerbated her already injured spine. On January 3, 2017, Bailey, had to undergo yet another surgery and a microdiscectomy was performed to relieve the pressure on her spinal cord. During all of this, Bailey was still in intense physical therapy. In late August 2017, she began to experience numbness and had absolutely no movement in her LEFT leg. Her mom took her to the ER where another MRI was performed and it was found that she had sustained another spinal cord injury to the lumbar region. The degenerative disc disease had worsened below the surgical site. At this point in time, our surgeons seem to have exhausted all avenues of treatment, however, they have referred her to  an orthopaedic surgeon in New York City at Columbia University-New York Presbyterian -Allen Hospital, specializing in spinal deformities. Dr. Lawrence Lenke is known worldwide for his expertise in spinal deformities which brings me to the reason for this GOFUNDME page. This is going to be so beyond any funds that we may have to be able to give Bailey any chance at a normal life. The costs for lodging, transportation, and food are extremely costly in New York. Through all of this, Bailey has remained upbeat and hopeful that Dr. Lenke can give her a normal 16-year-old, teenage life. Through all the surgeries and pain, Bailey has managed to maintain a 3.6 GPA through the Stokes County School System and is ranked #1 in her class utilizing a homebound teacher. So, although we are a small family, we do have moral support from other family members and extended family.  Our family will humbly appreciate anything that you can do to help Bailey walk again, enjoy being a teenager, to be able to physically go to school and realize her dreams. This trip will take place shortly after the first of the year and funds are needed quickly in order to make the trip. We don't know at this time how long Bailey will be in the hospital so we need to start looking for a place to stay that we can afford. Any amount, no matter how big or small will be deeply appreciated. I will keep everyone posted with updates and photos of my precious granddaughter, Bailey. 
All I can say simply is thank you.
Rosemarie Hatfield