Stephanies Medical Fund
Donation protected
Last week Thursday was a normal morning for me. I got up and left for work for my new job. I hadn't even made it a block away from my house before coming to a busy signal light. It was at this light that another collided with mine, slamming into the side of my vehicle. The collision t-boned me into another truck. There was so much blood I wasn't sure where it was coming from. Everything happened so fast. All I remeber are those 3 seconds. The screeching of the tired and the crunching sound of the impact.
The ambulance rushed me to the ER where they put 7 staples in my head to stop the blood. It wasn't my head I was concerned about; it was my neck. I was in excruciating pain and I couldn't support my head. They had me in a neck brace. After some x-rays were taken, about ten doctors came into my room. With an alarming tone, one doctor said, "Try not to move your body or neck." They began touching me and poking me all over to see if I could feel their touch. It was alas they told me my neck was severely broken. I also had torn ligaments in the front and back of my neck. The emergency surgery was performed by a Nuerosurgeons, who replaced one of my neck bones with a spacer, a titanium plate, and 4 screws. I will be in recovery for 3 months, where I will have to wear a neck brace at all times. My neck is too weak to support my head. The pain is sometime unbearable and makes me want to cry. The worst part is that I can't even take a shower on my own due to the immobilization. Someone else has to wash me and supervise me.
Shortley after, I learned that none of this was covered under any sort of medical insurance, as I had just started a new job. In order for my new job to cover it I would have needed to be there for 60 days, and I had only been there 5 weeks. So I have no medical insurance to cover this.
UPDATE: I found out Medi-Cal won't cover the expenses either because I was working in the month of August. They don't take into consideration that I'm uninsured. So much for Obama care. Feeling really defeated.
The total bill is still being calculated. The estimated expenses rounded up is $55,000 (and this is on the low side) and that includes: 6 days in the ICU ($5,200/day), the surgery, the metal plate they put in the neck, 4 screws, and metal spacer, the anesthesia, two Cat scans, an MRI, 2 rounds of x-rays, medications (and there was a lot of it, mostly morphine and other sedatives), blood work and tests (round the clock several times a day they stuck me with a needle), the procedure to staple up my head wound, the ride to the ER in the Ambulance, physical therapy, and home care therapy. This estimated cost doesn't even include all the follow-up visits needed :(
Moreso, I was not eligible for paid leave since I hadn't been with my new job for 60 days just yet.
Recovery in the upcoming months will be a lot of physical therapy and home nurses monitoring me. Immobilization is the worst challenge for someone who is use to being independent. Furthermore, it will be a lot of pain management. I just have to remember to breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth. Each day is different. Some are better than others.
Right now there are a lot of uncertainties and even more hurdles I have yet to cross. But at least I am alive.
I would be overwhelmed with any help moving forward. Anything would be greatly appreciated. I am so grateful for all the love and support from my friends and family. You guys are all awesome and I love each and every one of you. Thank you for the encouraging and motivating words and hugs.
UPDATE: The lady who hit me, her insurance is fighting it. This will have to go to court. I'm not ready for all this. It could be 1-2 years litigation before a settlement is ever reached. I'm so overwhelmed. Staying positive!
The ambulance rushed me to the ER where they put 7 staples in my head to stop the blood. It wasn't my head I was concerned about; it was my neck. I was in excruciating pain and I couldn't support my head. They had me in a neck brace. After some x-rays were taken, about ten doctors came into my room. With an alarming tone, one doctor said, "Try not to move your body or neck." They began touching me and poking me all over to see if I could feel their touch. It was alas they told me my neck was severely broken. I also had torn ligaments in the front and back of my neck. The emergency surgery was performed by a Nuerosurgeons, who replaced one of my neck bones with a spacer, a titanium plate, and 4 screws. I will be in recovery for 3 months, where I will have to wear a neck brace at all times. My neck is too weak to support my head. The pain is sometime unbearable and makes me want to cry. The worst part is that I can't even take a shower on my own due to the immobilization. Someone else has to wash me and supervise me.
Shortley after, I learned that none of this was covered under any sort of medical insurance, as I had just started a new job. In order for my new job to cover it I would have needed to be there for 60 days, and I had only been there 5 weeks. So I have no medical insurance to cover this.
UPDATE: I found out Medi-Cal won't cover the expenses either because I was working in the month of August. They don't take into consideration that I'm uninsured. So much for Obama care. Feeling really defeated.
The total bill is still being calculated. The estimated expenses rounded up is $55,000 (and this is on the low side) and that includes: 6 days in the ICU ($5,200/day), the surgery, the metal plate they put in the neck, 4 screws, and metal spacer, the anesthesia, two Cat scans, an MRI, 2 rounds of x-rays, medications (and there was a lot of it, mostly morphine and other sedatives), blood work and tests (round the clock several times a day they stuck me with a needle), the procedure to staple up my head wound, the ride to the ER in the Ambulance, physical therapy, and home care therapy. This estimated cost doesn't even include all the follow-up visits needed :(
Moreso, I was not eligible for paid leave since I hadn't been with my new job for 60 days just yet.
Recovery in the upcoming months will be a lot of physical therapy and home nurses monitoring me. Immobilization is the worst challenge for someone who is use to being independent. Furthermore, it will be a lot of pain management. I just have to remember to breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth. Each day is different. Some are better than others.
Right now there are a lot of uncertainties and even more hurdles I have yet to cross. But at least I am alive.
I would be overwhelmed with any help moving forward. Anything would be greatly appreciated. I am so grateful for all the love and support from my friends and family. You guys are all awesome and I love each and every one of you. Thank you for the encouraging and motivating words and hugs.
UPDATE: The lady who hit me, her insurance is fighting it. This will have to go to court. I'm not ready for all this. It could be 1-2 years litigation before a settlement is ever reached. I'm so overwhelmed. Staying positive!
Organizer and beneficiary
Stephanie Shinn
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
stephanie shinn
Beneficiary