Laura's New Treatment
Donation protected
Laura is a smart, brave, kind, gritty woman who has been fighting a chronic neurological pain disease since she was 10-years-old. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) has robbed her of many experiences but it has never gotten the better of her, until now.
In 2010, with one semester left to complete her Bachelor’s degree, Laura’s disease spread to her leg and she was forced into a wheelchair. But Laura is also tenacious! She graduated in 2012, began competing in 5K wheelchair races, baking up a storm, and pushed her leg until she was able to walk a mile with just a cane. In 2014 she began working part-time.
Unfortunately, in late August 2016, the nerves in her leg became enflamed and she has been experiencing the worst 'pain flare' of her life. The doctors have tried multiple nerve/pain blocks, intensive physical therapy, guided meditation, and too many medication treatments to count. Nothing has been effective at reducing the pain for more than a few hours. Most of you have been to the doctor and been asked to rate your pain on a scale of 1-10. In the past 18 yrs., Laura’s best days have a pain level of 2-3. Lots of days the pain is a 4-6 but she can and does function quite normally on those days. Since August, her pain level has been 7-9, every day. Think of it like putting your hand on a hot burner and being unable to pull it off
As the situation has become more impossible for Laura to endure, her doctor is recommending Ketamine Infusion Therapy as a way to "turn-down the volume on her nervous system." Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic for a long time, but its use in treating chronic pain is new and insurance won’t cover it. The estimated cost of the treatment is $5,000-$15,000, a cost that neither of us or our families are able to afford. We are asking for your financial support to give Laura an opportunity to try this treatment, which has demonstrated very good results for people with Laura’s condition. We know you all have obligations and are grateful for every contribution. Any money that is raised beyond what is needed for this treatment will be used for Laura’s ongoing medical care and treatment.
Thank you in advance for your support of our daughter, Laura.
Rich and Maureen
In 2010, with one semester left to complete her Bachelor’s degree, Laura’s disease spread to her leg and she was forced into a wheelchair. But Laura is also tenacious! She graduated in 2012, began competing in 5K wheelchair races, baking up a storm, and pushed her leg until she was able to walk a mile with just a cane. In 2014 she began working part-time.
Unfortunately, in late August 2016, the nerves in her leg became enflamed and she has been experiencing the worst 'pain flare' of her life. The doctors have tried multiple nerve/pain blocks, intensive physical therapy, guided meditation, and too many medication treatments to count. Nothing has been effective at reducing the pain for more than a few hours. Most of you have been to the doctor and been asked to rate your pain on a scale of 1-10. In the past 18 yrs., Laura’s best days have a pain level of 2-3. Lots of days the pain is a 4-6 but she can and does function quite normally on those days. Since August, her pain level has been 7-9, every day. Think of it like putting your hand on a hot burner and being unable to pull it off
As the situation has become more impossible for Laura to endure, her doctor is recommending Ketamine Infusion Therapy as a way to "turn-down the volume on her nervous system." Ketamine has been used as an anesthetic for a long time, but its use in treating chronic pain is new and insurance won’t cover it. The estimated cost of the treatment is $5,000-$15,000, a cost that neither of us or our families are able to afford. We are asking for your financial support to give Laura an opportunity to try this treatment, which has demonstrated very good results for people with Laura’s condition. We know you all have obligations and are grateful for every contribution. Any money that is raised beyond what is needed for this treatment will be used for Laura’s ongoing medical care and treatment.
Thank you in advance for your support of our daughter, Laura.
Rich and Maureen
Organizer and beneficiary
Maureen McCarthy
Organizer
Fort Collins, CO
Laura Harter
Beneficiary