Help Daniel get his back fixed

In the spring/ summer of 2020. Daniel began experiencing neurological symptoms in his legs. Which started off as muscle cramps, weakness, pins & needles, with shock like sensations. He chose to disregard these signs, figuring they would resolve on their own. After 5 months, he first decided to seek medical attention. After consulting with many specialists and negative progression, he was sent for a consultation to the Spinal Pathway Clinic in Saskatoon in January 2021. Due to the severe pain and lack of mobility he was immediately sent for an MRI. After reviewing the images with the Spinal Pathway physicians, it was determined that he has a congenital Spinal Stenosis of the L1 – L6 vertebras. This condition causes the spinal column to be too narrow for the spinal cord and pushes unwanted pressure on the nerves which resulted in Disc herniations between L3/L4/L5.

 

Being forwarded to an Orthopedic Surgeon and approved for surgery. Daniel, in order to resume life and be pain free he will need to undergo Laminectomy and Discectomy. The estimated wait time first given to him for a surgery date was 6-8 months in Saskatchewan with a more realistic 2-year possibility. For the time being the symptoms will have to be controlled with certain medications. After several months of anti-inflammatories, narcotics, nerve medications they are now wreaking havoc on his body. Day in, day out he is consistently nauseous with the new onset of stomach ulcers and strain on his kidneys only adding onto the medication list. Making day to day necessities difficult to manage.

 

Since first speaking to his surgeon his symptoms continue to progress and he is now experiencing the same neurological symptoms in his arms with weakness, pins & needles, and muscle cramps. Which means this is possibly affecting his cervical spine. Still awaiting an MRI, he was sent for an X-Ray which now shows Scoliosis an outward bend of the spine causing disc irritations from the overcompensation.      

 

Initially, he tried not to let anything slow him down while working as a Paramedic. With the progression of the injury, he has now had to put his entire life on hold. He is unable to move without severe pain or stand, and the daily tasks we take for granted are impossible to do or are done with great effort. Even sleep has now become stressful as laying down is torturous for him. With the progression of the injury, he has had to take a medical leave of absence from work and put his training as an Advanced Paramedic on hold. He is a young, normally healthy individual that enjoys staying active but now is dealing with this debilitating condition that is drastically changing his lifestyle.

 

Daniel and his family are researching surgical options elsewhere. Contacting private Orthopedic Surgeon clinics in Canada, United States and even Mexico, the consensus was that no matter where the procedure was done the median price was approximately 18,000, plus travel and hotels for a minimum of 3 weeks plus the 2-week hotel stay once back in Canada due to the covid regulations. For a price range of approximately 25,000 USD.

 

After contact with several clinics, the procedure would be completed within 2-weeks once funding is provided.  

 

We are asking for your financial assistance so Daniel can have his surgery as soon as possible and return to his active, healthy, productive life once again.

If you wish to make a private donation 
cheques Can be sent to Daniel Laviolette at 
34 Columbia Drive 
Saskatoon, Sk 
S7K1E3

or email transferred to [email redacted]

 

Kindly,
Gabrielle