Colin de Jong and Family - Medical Disc Procedure

We've started this GoFundMe for my stepdad Colin de Jong, who has been facing a daunting battle with degenerative disc disease that has severely impacted his quality of life. The discs between his top five to six vertebrae have deteriorated, and as many know, damaged discs cannot heal on their own.

Colin underwent surgery last year to address the problem when the degeneration was not nearly so severe. The procedure involved the insertion of a cadaver bone to promote fusion in the surrounding vertebrae. There was only one disc that was addressed at that time. Tragically, this surgery did not yield the expected results. The fusion did not hold, and the degeneration has since spread to at least four adjacent vertebrae. The situation has become critical, and without immediate medical intervention, Colin faces the risk of paralysis from even a minor fall.

Title: Giving Colin the Gift of Mobility: Help Fund Life-Changing Spinal Surgery

Introduction:

We are reaching out to you with heavy hearts, as we share the story of our beloved Colin de Jong, a man who has touched the lives of many with his kindness, sense of adventure, and unwavering spirit. Colin has been facing a daunting battle with degenerative disc disease that has severely impacted his quality of life. The discs between his top five to six vertebrae have deteriorated, and as many know, damaged discs cannot heal on their own.

Colin's Journey:

Colin underwent surgery last year to address the problem. The procedure involved the insertion of a cadaver bone to promote fusion in the surrounding vertebrae. Tragically, this surgery did not yield the expected results. The fusion did not hold, and the degeneration has since spread to at least four adjacent vertebrae. The situation has become critical, and without immediate medical intervention, Colin faces the risk of paralysis from even a minor fall.

We've explored every avenue in Canada for a solution, seeking a way to alleviate Colin's pain and restore his quality of life. However, Canadian healthcare cannot offer a long-term remedy to provide him with a pain-free and active future. His daily existence is marked by constant pain – not only in his back and vertebrae but also from pinched nerves that have caused numbness in his hands.

Recently, we discovered a program in Germany that can offer Colin a solution – not only to relieve his pain but also to grant him the ability to continue enjoying the activities he loves for years to come, all while avoiding the grim prospect of needing a wheelchair within the next year. The proposed treatment involves the replacement of at least four damaged discs in his spine, offering a new chance at life. The surgery will require a total discectomy via an anterior surgical approach, followed by disc replacement with artificial mobility discs at levels C3/4, C5/6, and C6/7. Additionally, there will be a revision and fixation by anterior plate C4/5.

The artificial mobility discs will provide him with an improved quality of life, offering the gift of mobility and the chance to live pain-free. While Colin will need to undergo intensive physical therapy and temporarily limit his work and activities, we are confident that this surgery will be a success. It will truly change his life for the better, allowing him to move freely, pursue his adventurous spirit, and savor a pain-free existence.

The cost of this surgery abroad is substantial, but the truth is, there was simply no viable long-term solution offered in Canada. We deeply care about Colin and his quality of life, and that's why we've set up this GoFundMe. We hope to raise funds to offset even a small portion of the costs, knowing that every contribution brings us closer to providing Colin with the gift of mobility and a brighter future. Funds may also be used toward physical therapy and any temporary medication he might need to be on to assist in his recovery.

If you would like to help, please consider donating to this fundraiser and consider sharing this GoFundMe so others may also help. If you are unable to donate, please keep Colin and the family in your thoughts and prayers, every little bit of love helps immensely.