Help Rose Lina & Family
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Rose Lina Castro Tack works tirelessly to support her son and parents, but she needs our help. Medical issues have hit them all hard, and it falls upon Lina to cover the bills that her parents can’t afford, pay her portion of her son’s bills, and pay her own bills. She has taken out loans on her 401k to try to stay afloat, but the health issues, high deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs are threatening to overcome her. Please take a moment to read her story and consider contributing to help her get on top of the doctor bills. If any of you have had experience with fibromyalgia, herniated discs, autism, COPD or a scary trip to the ER, please read below.
In 2016 Lina suffered from a sudden onset of headaches and collapsed at work on Schriever AFB. She experienced excruciating pain in her head, neck and back. She was restricted to bed for several months in between the visits to doctors and specialists, undergoing MRIs and painful injections to find a diagnosis. Unfortunately, she didn’t have short term disability; she took a loan from her 401k so she wouldn’t lose her house. But she did find a diagnosis: four herniated discs in her neck. There wasn’t a clear recommendation the doctors could provide, as surgery was, at best, estimated to provide a 50/50 chance of relief.
While bedridden, she lost too much weight, primarily muscle mass. She underwent physical therapy to gain strength in order to return to work. She used a wheelchair at first, progressed to a cane, and after 18 months was able to walk without assistance. To this day, she still has a hard time driving so she uses a van pool to commute. She felt awful that she couldn’t take care of her son, who had to stay full-time with his dad and grandmother during this time. He has autism, but is so caring and intelligent that he tried hard to understand what his mom was going through. There were periods of time her ex-husband and his mother let her stay with them so she could see her son, while they ensured she ate and had support. Since Lina was the primary caregiver for her parents, she had to find assistance in helping them while she was coping and recovering.
In 2017 she experienced a relapse, and although the pain never subsided, she pushed to keep working in order to support herself, her son and her parents, while paying crucial bills like her mortgage and utilities, along with paying back the 401k account. The pain overcame her and she was bedridden again. She had to get her gall bladder removed. She was sent to the Laser Spine Institute in the hopes she was a good candidate for surgery, but it was determined that minimal or even invasive surgery wouldn’t help. She was sent to the Mayo Clinic. It was there she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in addition to the herniated discs. The doctors recommended more physical therapy. She even tried acupuncture and cupping. In 2018 she found a new therapist that used a different technique on her spine to relieve the pain, and it was more effective. Of course, it was more costly as well. It is helping put her life back on track, as she can get out more, walk better, and even drive short distances. Fibromyalgia is very painful and makes her very tired.
Just as Lina feels she can make ends meet, other issues arise and make her feel like she is drowning in debt. Her son needed braces this year and will need oral surgery to fix an impacted tooth as well as a gum graft. In February she fractured two toes, which will cost over $1,200. Her heart rate races at over 100 bpm, at rest, so she needs to see a cardiologist this month. Right before St. Patrick’s Day weekend her son experienced stabbing pain late at night and had to go to the ER. The doctor couldn’t find anything to explain the pain, so he will have to visit a urologist. When he was a baby, he had surgery to fix an undescended testicle and hernia. At the age of 16 he’s supposed to check in with the urologist to ensure it is growing properly, otherwise it may need to be removed or it will likely cause cancer later in life. We’re hoping and praying he doesn’t need surgery this month to relieve the pain.
Lina’s parents have poor health and live on social security disability, so it falls on her to help pay their rent, life insurance, assist with groceries and household items that extend beyond their finances. Her dad’s income goes to the nursing facility, as he has advanced COPD. She tries to visit and take them out to experience the good things life has to offer. She ensures her son develops physically and spiritually despite his challenges with autism by supporting him in Tae Kwan Do and bible school. She is an amazing mother and daughter, and does so much to support her family. It’s time that her friends and family support her at her time of desperate need. Please consider donating to this fundraiser to help Lina climb out of debt from the medical bills and repay her 401k loan. If you don't care to donate online, contact Sarah Hite to find out ways to help without using a credit card. Thank you!
In 2016 Lina suffered from a sudden onset of headaches and collapsed at work on Schriever AFB. She experienced excruciating pain in her head, neck and back. She was restricted to bed for several months in between the visits to doctors and specialists, undergoing MRIs and painful injections to find a diagnosis. Unfortunately, she didn’t have short term disability; she took a loan from her 401k so she wouldn’t lose her house. But she did find a diagnosis: four herniated discs in her neck. There wasn’t a clear recommendation the doctors could provide, as surgery was, at best, estimated to provide a 50/50 chance of relief.
While bedridden, she lost too much weight, primarily muscle mass. She underwent physical therapy to gain strength in order to return to work. She used a wheelchair at first, progressed to a cane, and after 18 months was able to walk without assistance. To this day, she still has a hard time driving so she uses a van pool to commute. She felt awful that she couldn’t take care of her son, who had to stay full-time with his dad and grandmother during this time. He has autism, but is so caring and intelligent that he tried hard to understand what his mom was going through. There were periods of time her ex-husband and his mother let her stay with them so she could see her son, while they ensured she ate and had support. Since Lina was the primary caregiver for her parents, she had to find assistance in helping them while she was coping and recovering.
In 2017 she experienced a relapse, and although the pain never subsided, she pushed to keep working in order to support herself, her son and her parents, while paying crucial bills like her mortgage and utilities, along with paying back the 401k account. The pain overcame her and she was bedridden again. She had to get her gall bladder removed. She was sent to the Laser Spine Institute in the hopes she was a good candidate for surgery, but it was determined that minimal or even invasive surgery wouldn’t help. She was sent to the Mayo Clinic. It was there she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in addition to the herniated discs. The doctors recommended more physical therapy. She even tried acupuncture and cupping. In 2018 she found a new therapist that used a different technique on her spine to relieve the pain, and it was more effective. Of course, it was more costly as well. It is helping put her life back on track, as she can get out more, walk better, and even drive short distances. Fibromyalgia is very painful and makes her very tired.
Just as Lina feels she can make ends meet, other issues arise and make her feel like she is drowning in debt. Her son needed braces this year and will need oral surgery to fix an impacted tooth as well as a gum graft. In February she fractured two toes, which will cost over $1,200. Her heart rate races at over 100 bpm, at rest, so she needs to see a cardiologist this month. Right before St. Patrick’s Day weekend her son experienced stabbing pain late at night and had to go to the ER. The doctor couldn’t find anything to explain the pain, so he will have to visit a urologist. When he was a baby, he had surgery to fix an undescended testicle and hernia. At the age of 16 he’s supposed to check in with the urologist to ensure it is growing properly, otherwise it may need to be removed or it will likely cause cancer later in life. We’re hoping and praying he doesn’t need surgery this month to relieve the pain.
Lina’s parents have poor health and live on social security disability, so it falls on her to help pay their rent, life insurance, assist with groceries and household items that extend beyond their finances. Her dad’s income goes to the nursing facility, as he has advanced COPD. She tries to visit and take them out to experience the good things life has to offer. She ensures her son develops physically and spiritually despite his challenges with autism by supporting him in Tae Kwan Do and bible school. She is an amazing mother and daughter, and does so much to support her family. It’s time that her friends and family support her at her time of desperate need. Please consider donating to this fundraiser to help Lina climb out of debt from the medical bills and repay her 401k loan. If you don't care to donate online, contact Sarah Hite to find out ways to help without using a credit card. Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Sarah Hite
Organizer
Ocean Springs, MS
Rose (Lina) Tack
Beneficiary