Jon & Crystal Horton Medical Support

On April 3rd, 2022, my husband, Jon Horton started developing excruciating lower back pain that quickly escalated into being unable to stand/walk.

After X-rays and an MRI it was determined that he had multiple herniated discs and massive spinal cord compression. They wanted him brought in to the hospital immediately. There was concern about permanent damage.

Friday, April 8th he was taken into emergency surgery to remove the bones causing the compression and had a “Lumbar Laminectomy Surgery for Spinal Stenosis (Open Decompression)”.

Upon getting him on the table, they discovered the damage was more severe than originally expected. He also had a tear that they had to repair.

Recovery has been complicated. We are unsure if permanent damage has been done to his spinal cord or if inflammation is causing this. The farther out we get from surgery though, the more concern is that permanent damage has been done.

There has been little to no improvement with Jon. He cannot move his feet, stand, or walk even with the use of a walker. In the beginning they were hopeful that as inflammation went down, things would improve, but it isn’t happening. Whether the loss is permanent or may come back with substantial PT is TBD, but it isn’t happening overnight.

Currently we are waiting on insurance approvals for him to go into a rehab facility. It just isn’t safe for him to come home and I don’t have the ability to physically move him or help him as needed.

The last couple of years have been exceptionally hard on my family. At the age of 45, with a 4 year old son, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. My journey was fraught with complications from multiple surgeries, an adverse reaction to chemo, radiation, and constant battles with my insurance for coverage.

I am emotionally, physically, and financially tapped out. Although we have insurance, it is a very high deductible plan, and it just reset. Between the medical expenses we are incurring and the loss of Jon’s ability to work for however long, I am honestly scared. He is self-employed, so when he doesn’t work, he doesn’t bring in an income. There is no option for work at home or short or long term disability for him.

Not once during my own cancer battle did I ask for help, and I’m embarrassed and ashamed to be asking now, but I am completely overwhelmed with what is in front of us. It’s said that it takes a village, and I’m finally asking my village for help. I cannot do this alone.

Any funds received will go towards medical expenses and helping us get through this hopefully temporary loss of income.