HELP ME KEEP WALKING

URGENT UPDATE 05/23/23: I received the call I've been waiting for this morning, I have a date for my surgery and a few specifics about the procedure. The urgency is that the surgery is two weeks away, Wed. 6/7/23. They have decided the best option is to place some hardware in my lower back it will be some rods and screws to build a kind of scaffold to allow for better stability in my lower back. What this means is a little longer hospital stay because I will have to be on IV antibiotics because of a higher risk of infection with the metal in me. It won't affect my recovery time itself which is expected to be 6-8 weeks.

I will have a time and some more specifics in a week when I hear from the anesthesia team.

Thanks for all your prayers and donations! Please share with all your friends and family.

God Bless You

UPDATE: The surgical team had a cancellation on the appointment schedule, let me stress this is not for the surgery, just meeting with the surgical team, I will be meeting with them on Monday, May 1st which is a week earlier than I had.

I will post another update then on what I learn and what I know as far as a date goes.

Thank you for all your prayers and donations.

Hi, my name is Ed and I am fundraising for medical and living expenses when I have to have major back surgery. I do have insurance but will need to cover living expenses and related costs during the surgery and my recovery. I have spinal stenosis which has already done enough nerve damage that I have lost most sensation in my right lower leg and foot. If I do not have this surgery done the damage will continue to get worse and very well could cause permanent paralysis from the waist down. I do not know yet my recovery time and if or when I will be able to return to work. My goal is to return to work when I am able but I don't have a real time frame on when that could happen.

Not only will this be used for living and medical expenses but also moving expenses so I can find a down stair apartment, hopefully, something I can do before I have the surgery.

The Beginning of My Storie:

I just turned 55 on the seventh of April, but when I was 19 I had a bad car wreck while working at DFW Airport, it messed me up pretty bad and wound up having 3 surgeries in my 20s. I must hand it to the Drs who fixed me up back then, my first surgery was in Jan. 88, and they did a really good job with the technology available at the time. I have had 30 pretty good years of life with few problems with my back but this has caught up with me now and I have to have it fixed.

I found a pretty good explanation of what spinal stenosis is and some of its causes, and symptoms on the Mayo Clinic website.

"Spinal stenosis happens when the space inside the backbone is too small. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves that travel through the spine. Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the lower back and the neck."

"Spinal stenosis in the lower back can cause pain or cramping in one or both legs. This happens when you stand for a long time or when you walk. Symptoms get better when you bend forward or sit. Some people also have back pain."

"Bone spurs. Wear-and-tear damage from arthritis can cause the extra bone to grow on the spine. These are called bone spurs. They can push into the spinal canal."

"Herniated disks. Disks are the soft cushions that act as shock absorbers between your spinal bones. If part of the disk's soft inner material leaks out, it can press on the spinal cord or nerves."

"Thick ligaments. The strong cords that help hold the bones of your spine together can become stiff and thick over time. Thick ligaments can push into the spinal canal."

"Spinal injuries. Car accidents and other trauma can cause spinal bones to break or move out of place. Swelling of nearby tissue right after back surgery also can put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves."

"Some people with spinal stenosis have no symptoms. Others may experience pain, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness. Symptoms can get worse over time."

"The most common cause of spinal stenosis is wear-and-tear changes in the spine related to arthritis. People who have severe cases of spinal stenosis may need surgery."

"Surgery can create more space inside the spine. This can ease the symptoms caused by pressure on the spinal cord or nerves." Source, Mayo Clinic Website

I am not very good at expressing myself in writing but I hope that I have made my point.

Not only am I asking for donations but also prayers during this trying time.

THANK YOU.

Ed