Help Jess Recover: 2nd attempt at back surgery

If you know Jess, chances are she’s put a smile on your face. If you don’t know her you should, I promise she’ll make you smile. I can truly say I’ve never met anyone so unique and genuine. The way she interacts and loves others is a gift. Jess has a heart made of gold and would do anything for anyone. This is why I’m asking for your help…. To help give back to her.

She, unknown to us was born with a defect in her spine… after years of ski racing, athletic abuse and a fall down the stairs (holding the puppies) it caught up to her. Two years ago she had major back surgery. The surgeons had to go in from the front and the back to install hardware to connect her spine which was in two. She was in surgery for 8 long hours and had a long recovery…. However, come to find out she actually never recovered. After her surgery she just never got better… she was in constant pain. It became so bad that she literally could not put her socks on. We knew things weren’t right and we pushed the doctors and wrote many letters to the crappy insurance company she has- they kept denying everything . Finally after a strong appeal they allowed another scan and sure enough we found out that she was not fine, she did not need more pt , she did not need to just take it easy… she was still in two. The bones never healed, they never grew together. And on top of still being in 2, she now had screws floating in there hitting every nerve, oh and still has thousands of dollars owed for a failed surgery.

Jess has pushed through the last few years. She has been a full time high honors student while working full time. She hurts a lot but doesn’t let it stop her, even when she can’t put her socks on. When she was told she needed another surgery and that it was important to do it now she pushed it off a month so she could finish out her teaching commitment and work a few more bartending shifts to try to save some money because she knew she’d be out of work for awhile. She’s incredible!

Today she’s back in surgery, new hardware, bigger screws and a bone-graft. We are hopeful this time she will heal. Unfortunately like last time she will have a long recovery and will be out of work for several months.

If you know anything about me I am a very private person and never ask for help. Today I am putting this aside and I am asking for help for my baby because she’s going to need it. Jess is completely independent and pays for everything 100% on her own - if I could help her more I would, believe me. Insurance barely covered her last surgery and we’re already fighting with what they will cover this time. Her student loan payments are going to start, etc. etc., all without work. She did thank goodness move home (just last night) because she wouldn’t have been able to pay her rent.

I am asking if she has put a smile on your face (or will when you meet her) to help her anyway you can, big or small. Your donations will be going towards on-going medical bills, therapies, and other unforeseen costs as they emerge in her long recovery.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Love you all!