Help Michelle Overcome Kienböck’s Disease

I have Kienböck’s Disease. Without treatment, the lunate in my right wrist will die and collapse leading to even more problems. I am right-handed. Without the use of my right hand and wrist, I will not be able to continue my job at the library, comfortably read, give my cats adequate scritches, or much of anything really. As it is, I’m already experiencing daily pain which leaves me barely capable of performing about 15% of my normal activities at work and home. The pain will only grow worse as the disease progresses. The good news is that there are treatments with highly successful outcomes for Kienböck’s. I have a vascularized bone graft scheduled for October 29th, and I am insured.

The bad news is that the costs of the surgeon, the procedure, the surgery facility, the anesthesiologist, the pre-op, the post-op, the Xray and the MRI are already breathtaking even with insurance. In addition to all of those costs, there are likely to be other costs both for performing and recovering from the operation. Last but not least, my right arm will be entirely immobilized for a minimum of 1 month after the surgery which will make doing my job all but impossible. There is no form of financial aid that I qualify for in NC. My savings is almost entirely depleted and will be completely depleted before this is over. Other than my spouse, I don’t have any immediate family to help.

After using my savings and insurance and so-forth, I’m looking at around $9,000 in expenses that I’m not sure how to cover. I could sell my house, but I can’t actually afford rent in the county I live in so that doesn’t seem like a solution.

Please, give what you can and share this GoFundMe. Even if you can’t give, please share as frequently and wide as you are comfortable doing. I can only hope that with the generosity of my friends, found family, handful of cousins, and maybe even some strangers, Josiah and I will be able to navigate through this. Thank you for reading this and for whatever you can do to help.

Estimated uncovered costs:

Operating room & Equipment $3900

Anesthesiologist $1000

One month unpaid FMLA expenses $1700

Surgeon $900

Imaging (x-rays, MRIs) $400