Funds for spinal stimulator battery replacement

Hi all! I'm Nicci Bard and I've had a long road of back surgeries (three so far) due to spinal stenosis and genetic weaknesses in my spinal cord. My fourth is scheduled (as of yesterday) on Wednesday January 25th (NEXT WEEK!)

Here's a little history. The shortened version, of course. In my first emergency surgery in 2009, a bone spur nearly severed my sciatic nerve on the right side, which affected my leg in a huge way. Thankfully, the issue was found in time to repair the nerve before it broke completely and was lost, but since then, it did not heal and constantly misfires which sends constant pain signals to my brain. I attempted to just live with it and do my best at this point. My second surgery in 2015 removed scar tissue when I had horrid numbness (which should also reduce pain,) but it made everything worse. Round three of back surgery in 2016 was to have a Boston Scientific spinal stimulator placed. (This is sort of like an internal tens unit. The stimulator is mounted on my spine and the leads go into the nerves around it. The battery is placed in a fatty spot above my bum. The goal is that it interrupts those pain signals. So instead of feeling searing pain, you feel a sort of buzzing.) On a GOOD day, this thing takes away about 70% of my pain WITHOUT PILLS/PATCHES! This is awesome! However, my battery has turned inside my body, making it hard to charge, it overheats, and is "nearing the end of its life" according to my rep, etc. So, my surgeon here in Oregon and my pain management team want to place an upgraded battery.

This is great, but it's the beginning of the year and our deductible/out of pocket hasn't even STARTED to be covered. So today I received an email (**pic attached**) that I need $2975 for just the FACILITY! So...I think maybe I need some help.

This device is INVALUABLE to me. I cannot live in constant pain from a gnarly sciatic nerve. Pain pills cause SO many other issues and this device is so much better for your body and is already proven to work well for me.

I am calling on my tribe/community for help. I HATE doing this. It is the last thing I want to do...but, they say to ask for help when you need it....and right now I do. Thank you in advance for any help anyone can provide. Even a share is so so appreciated. Anything over this amount will be used for other copays etc involved in my surgery as this bill is ONLY for the facility! **In the event this gets fully funded....any extra over this bill will be for other OOP costs related to my surgery** ❤️

**See photo below for email body received regarding the bill**