Help for Meg Sorensen

I've struggled with health issues for the majority of my adult life. My primary chronic issues are Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and they cause a great deal of fatigue, pain, and early degeneration of my connective tissue. Because of spinal arthritis, I have had extensive physical therapy and have had to modify the way I live to preserve as much function as possible. I had two back surgeries in my early 20s, and the second (a spinal fusion) helped a great deal in returning me to a more normal pace of life.

I have also overcome ovarian cancer, having had two tumors. The first was a borderline malignancy, and it caused torsion of my right ovary, necessitating removal via emergency surgery. The second was just last summer, and there was a malignancy. I had a complete hysterectomy/oophorectomy, which put me into menopause at the ripe age of 35.

I started experiencing neck pain with arm and shoulder numbness back in 2018 when I lived in Japan, and thanks to some great doctors and physical therapists there, I was able to mostly recover. The same issue presented itself again in March of this year, and conservative treatment methods failed, so I was scheduled for another spinal fusion (C6-C7) on July 22nd. The pain of the past few months has dramatically affected my ability to work and live a regular life. I haven't been able to play with my two boys (6 and 8) the way I would like, and as much as I love to work, I haven't had the mental capacity to focus on making my work profitable. Unfortunately, even with insurance, the American health care system is incredibly expensive, and my husband has had to shoulder the burden of work while trying to raise our children, manage our house, and care for me.

To make matters worse, I felt something pop in my back last night as I tried to change sleeping positions. My pain level has skyrocketed, and I have decided to step away from work completely until I can get this resolved.

I hate asking for help, and, to be honest, I don't expect a lot in the way of money. However, some people have offered to donate, and we decided this would be the easiest way to set things up. Any contribution would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your generosity and support.