Help Heather get her back surgery

During our 25 years of marriage Heather has always been there to support our family through all of our ups and downs and life changes.  We lost our home after being laid off and had to move almost ten times.  This has not been easy on any of us.  In 2015, Heather underwent her first back surgery which included a microdiscectomy and a laminectomy.  This relieved her debilitating lower back pain, although she never had a complete recovery. She has worked as a cosmetologist for over ten years, always standing on her feet, but over the last year her condition has worsened affecting her quality of life.  Being a talented licensed cosmetologist, we were hoping after her first surgery she could return to the career she loves.  Unfortunately, this never happened. Now it has come to the point where she can not even work a part time job due to her pain. Last week she had a MRI and an appointment with a very accomplished Spinal and Neurological surgeon here in Savannah, Georgia.  Unfortunately, the results were far worse than we expected.  She has been diagnosed with Spondylolisthesis and Disc Degeneration.  She will require a procedure called MIS TLIF (Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion).  This includes an artificial disc, rods, and screws to hold the discs in alignment and a bone graft to complete the spinal fusion.  The medical insurance I have through my employer requires us to pay 20% upfront.  The estimated cost of the surgery alone is $31,000.  This does not include the facility charges or any follow ups and therapy.  We just simply do not have the means to pay for the procedure.  My family and I wish for Heather to return to the lifestyle she once had. The surgeon feels that this is what she needs and after the recovery she will be herself again.  The surgery is scheduled for Friday, May 19. This allows very little time to make this happen so she can be pain free.  I understand if you can not help monetarily but we do ask you to include her in your prayers. Thank you and God bless.


Sincerely

Joe Parkhurst,