Becki's Bad Back: Get Her Specialist Surgery
Donation protected
To introduce myself:
I'm Becki. No need to introduce myself to friends and family. One who rarely asks for help and has perfected the brave face.
Many now know I had surgery a few years ago but may not know why. Here's the (long, sorry!) story:
The then:
In 2019 I moved back home from London. Somehow in this time I went from being a completely able bodied individual, to one who couldn't stand, walk, or (by the end) move without intense chronic pain.
I turned to the GP for help on multiple occasions- at first walking in, then hobbling on a walking stick, to being in a wheelchair. They stocked me with opioids and sent me on my way.
During this time mum became my full time carer, in ways I won't go into.
She helped me and we fought for help. There was obviously a reason I couldn't walk.
Eventually, an osteopath we sought help from referred us for a scan; we spent £400 on a Private MRI and that got things moving.
I was rushed into the specialist team at Salford Royal for emergency surgery. The Neurosurgeon said I was "more than lucky" not to be completely paralysed from the waist down.
Following surgery, like actual SAME DAY I could stand, I could walk. It was honesty a MIRACLE!
Turns out I had a pretty mega prolapsed disc (those things most often diagnosed in middle age) which was crushing my sciatic nerve and something called Caudate Equina Syndrome (the paralysis thing). But anyway, problem solved!
Everything was wonderful. I worked again (dog walking, you saw the photos), and I regained my independence. And moved out (Yaaas!) . See, wonderful!
Until it wasn't.
The "More Recent" Then:
In January this year (2021) pain began again. By late March the pain was too much for me to move easily around the house.
Back to mums I went!
I stopped being able to stand, this time I couldn't sit. After an admission to Salford Royal in early April, a scan suggested I had a re-herniation. The prolapsed disc was back again, but they weren't sure what to do... they'd have someone call me in 4 - 6 weeks. In the meantime I was given morphine and I did a lot of academic reading (thanks to those providing links to articles behind pay walls ;) )
6 weeks came, so did a " Your consultation is cancelled" notification, with no explanation. The morphine dose increased, as did the nerve tablet dose, and the frequency of OTC pain relief.
The Now:
It was today (end of June) I (+ mum) finally spoke to someone.
The specialist, one of a handful of people (and the only one in "The North") who are able to provide the endoscopic surgery that gives me the best opportunity of recovery, alongside the lowest risk of side effects and long-term damage. He was FAB and answered all of my questions.
Synopsis of chat (part 1):
I'm on the priority list but with COVID surgery would be around Jan - Mar 2022.
I cried. No, I bawled. I just can't live like this any longer. The story above has been factual but honestly the pain is unbearable and I can't do it. The risk of the long term side effects of morphine increase every day. The inability to do anything beyond sit for an hour (on a good day) is exhausting. The inability to get from bed to the loo (on a bad day) is just next level pain. I physically can't do it.
Synopsis of chat (Part 2):
Paying privately I could have surgery in 6 weeks.
It'd be £8,000
The Request:
So here I am; we're fundraising.
I absolutely HATE asking for money. But sometimes needs must, and sometimes people want to help and I forget that.
If you would like to help towards these costs, I would greatly appreciate any donation that could be made.
I've also said that I'm gonna climb Snowdon once I'm fixed (and actually healthy enough to do it, SO unfit right now!) so come join me - or maybe that's what you sponsor me to do.
I warned of the long story! Thanks for reading /skimming!
And IF you choose to donate I am exceptionally grateful.
Much love
Becki
I'm Becki. No need to introduce myself to friends and family. One who rarely asks for help and has perfected the brave face.
Many now know I had surgery a few years ago but may not know why. Here's the (long, sorry!) story:
The then:
In 2019 I moved back home from London. Somehow in this time I went from being a completely able bodied individual, to one who couldn't stand, walk, or (by the end) move without intense chronic pain.
I turned to the GP for help on multiple occasions- at first walking in, then hobbling on a walking stick, to being in a wheelchair. They stocked me with opioids and sent me on my way.
During this time mum became my full time carer, in ways I won't go into.
She helped me and we fought for help. There was obviously a reason I couldn't walk.
Eventually, an osteopath we sought help from referred us for a scan; we spent £400 on a Private MRI and that got things moving.
I was rushed into the specialist team at Salford Royal for emergency surgery. The Neurosurgeon said I was "more than lucky" not to be completely paralysed from the waist down.
Following surgery, like actual SAME DAY I could stand, I could walk. It was honesty a MIRACLE!
Turns out I had a pretty mega prolapsed disc (those things most often diagnosed in middle age) which was crushing my sciatic nerve and something called Caudate Equina Syndrome (the paralysis thing). But anyway, problem solved!
Everything was wonderful. I worked again (dog walking, you saw the photos), and I regained my independence. And moved out (Yaaas!) . See, wonderful!
Until it wasn't.
The "More Recent" Then:
In January this year (2021) pain began again. By late March the pain was too much for me to move easily around the house.
Back to mums I went!
I stopped being able to stand, this time I couldn't sit. After an admission to Salford Royal in early April, a scan suggested I had a re-herniation. The prolapsed disc was back again, but they weren't sure what to do... they'd have someone call me in 4 - 6 weeks. In the meantime I was given morphine and I did a lot of academic reading (thanks to those providing links to articles behind pay walls ;) )
6 weeks came, so did a " Your consultation is cancelled" notification, with no explanation. The morphine dose increased, as did the nerve tablet dose, and the frequency of OTC pain relief.
The Now:
It was today (end of June) I (+ mum) finally spoke to someone.
The specialist, one of a handful of people (and the only one in "The North") who are able to provide the endoscopic surgery that gives me the best opportunity of recovery, alongside the lowest risk of side effects and long-term damage. He was FAB and answered all of my questions.
Synopsis of chat (part 1):
I'm on the priority list but with COVID surgery would be around Jan - Mar 2022.
I cried. No, I bawled. I just can't live like this any longer. The story above has been factual but honestly the pain is unbearable and I can't do it. The risk of the long term side effects of morphine increase every day. The inability to do anything beyond sit for an hour (on a good day) is exhausting. The inability to get from bed to the loo (on a bad day) is just next level pain. I physically can't do it.
Synopsis of chat (Part 2):
Paying privately I could have surgery in 6 weeks.
It'd be £8,000
The Request:
So here I am; we're fundraising.
I absolutely HATE asking for money. But sometimes needs must, and sometimes people want to help and I forget that.
If you would like to help towards these costs, I would greatly appreciate any donation that could be made.
I've also said that I'm gonna climb Snowdon once I'm fixed (and actually healthy enough to do it, SO unfit right now!) so come join me - or maybe that's what you sponsor me to do.
I warned of the long story! Thanks for reading /skimming!
And IF you choose to donate I am exceptionally grateful.
Much love
Becki
Organizer
Becki Beresford
Organizer
England