Support for Jess’s Spinal Fusion

I’m reaching out to ask for assistance during this surreal time. I’ve suffered from debilitating, chronic back pain my entire life- and in 2020 I learned the true extent of the damage in my spine. The day after Thanksgiving 2021, my back gave out. I couldn’t stand, lift myself, could barely handle my own weight. I thought it was just another bad back day, but I was very wrong. After carrying myself to work for a few days, I realized the pain was only getting worse and my mobility was diminishing. By the time I managed to get into a doctor, I needed a wheelchair. I was losing sensation in my legs and unable to lift my feet. I couldn’t stand, sit, or walk. Thankfully, I was able to get in quickly for MRIs and an “emergency” visit with my spinal specialist/surgeon. long story short, my back has deteriorated rapidly in the past year. I have spina bifida, degenerative disks, degenerative bones; a congenital mass fused to my spine and hip, as well as missing SI joints… plus many other issues. My lumbar region is wrecked to hell, to put it lightly. the episode I was experiencing would be the first of many to come- without warning, at any time. I now require an intensive and very invasive two-day-process of surgeries to replace my disks, stabilize my spine, and repair my bone. My surgeon (who actively helped me pursue alternative pain management options for over a year) now believes it is my only option. Regardless of how I feel about this, either I do it now or I will have do it in ten years. I know in my heart I don’t have ten more years of mobility. once they take place, I will be in the hospital for about a week and unable to work for at least 8 weeks. Ill be in a brace, have lots of physical therapy, etc… I’ll need a lot of support during recovery with a lot of things. But the bright side… …After this surgery, I will be able to run, lift weights at the gym, go hiking, and actually play more with my son. He turned 10 this year and has only known me in pain. As scary as this is, I just want to do these things, have more opportunities with my son before I am unable to in the long run. My surgeon says he has a patient that goes snowboarding after his surgery… mama just wants to spend more time outside with her boy. I thank you for your time and any donations/shares you make towards this cause.