Mattie Ruth Crushing CRPS
Donation protected
On October 2, 2017, Mattie Ruth suffered a high ankle sprain, torn tendons and ligaments. Since that date she has not been able to walk without crutches and some sort of boot (we have been through several). Mattie Ruth was diagnosed with CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) in December. CRPS (complex Regional Pain Syndrome) has several definitions when you start researching. A cause at this time is unknown and some research shows that there are about 200,000 cases reported each year. The one thing that can be agreed upon is the excruciating, constant, intense, out of proportion pain with the initial injury. The pain NEVER goes away; it is constant 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The pain is ranked the most painful form of chronic pain that exists according to the McGill Pain Index (scale ranked 0-50 with 10 unit increments). On the McGill Pain Index scale chronic back pain is 30, childbirth is between 30-40, and CRPS is about a 47!
The search for Mattie Ruth’s rare diagnosis started in her small hometown in rural Mississippi. From there she was sent to an orthopedic doctor in Tupelo, MS. After a cast, crutches, a boot, and a nerve block, it was evident that she was not getting any better. In fact, she was steadily digressing with each passing day. Mattie Ruth was the referred to the Campbell’s Clinic, in Southaven, MS. While being treated there, she received 2 nerve blocks behind her knee, RFA (radiofrequency ablation) and currently still receives physical therapy. During this time she had started to slip into the tight grip of depression (not uncommon with CRPS because it robs you of the life you once had). It was recommended and strongly encouraged that she receive therapy from a mental health professional. We located a therapist that she continues to see in Tupelo, MS, weekly.
Once all options were tried at the Campbell’s Clinic, she was referred to Vanderbilt’s Pediatric Hospital in Nashville, TN. Our particular doctor and nurse team had been known to have success with CRPS. At Vanderbilt, Mattie Ruth received 3 sympathetic nerve blocks, 1 total spinal block, and an epidural catheter for 5 days during an inpatient stay in the hospital with around the clock therapy. She did not receive any relief from the epidural catheter. However, through the excruciating, painful therapy, she was able to relearn how to put a sock on and keep it on for the first time since her accident! This was a HUGE success!
After the hospital stay at Vanderbilt our options were trial and error completely. Mattie Ruth was done with needles and procedures. She was honest with her doctor and said no more. He asked her what she wanted to do for the next step. She quickly answered, “Please send me somewhere they can teach me to walk again without being stuck anymore.” After much discussion with the doctor/nurse team at Vanderbilt, family, and many prayers for discernment, we felt led to The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio where they specialize in CRPS. We have had our initial evaluation and will be headed there very soon for an extended stay in order for Mattie Ruth to crush CRPS and walk again!
This is the part where Mattie Ruth, and I, as well as our entire family (both sides as we are a blended family) are asking for 2 things. First and foremost, PRAYER! We believe in the power of prayer! So, many blessings have already been answered by our Heavenly Father! Second, donations. I never saw myself in this position. Please, do not misinterpret that statement. As parents, you think something like this will never happen to your child or someone in your family. My mom and past preachers too, have always said, “just be thankful they aren’t passing the plate for you!” I always believed that to be true and thanked the Lord for that as well. However, now through the Lord’s perfect plan, I am here in this position. Asking that if you can and would like to donate to help with Mattie Ruth’s expenses and our travel expenses over the next few months, please do! I have set up this gofundme page in order to set a goal that I know will at least cover some of our out of pocket expenses. Things such as gas for all our appointments, the biggest one PLANE TICKETS as we travel back and forth to Cleveland, OH, food while we are away from home, etc.
So, out of my element, acting on Faith,I am asking you to take the time to make even the smallest donation you can in order for Mattie Ruth to walk again!!! I am thanking you in advance for your help; whether that be praying for Mattie Ruth to have strength and endurance during treatments, for our safety while traveling, and/or any donation.
THANK YOU.
The search for Mattie Ruth’s rare diagnosis started in her small hometown in rural Mississippi. From there she was sent to an orthopedic doctor in Tupelo, MS. After a cast, crutches, a boot, and a nerve block, it was evident that she was not getting any better. In fact, she was steadily digressing with each passing day. Mattie Ruth was the referred to the Campbell’s Clinic, in Southaven, MS. While being treated there, she received 2 nerve blocks behind her knee, RFA (radiofrequency ablation) and currently still receives physical therapy. During this time she had started to slip into the tight grip of depression (not uncommon with CRPS because it robs you of the life you once had). It was recommended and strongly encouraged that she receive therapy from a mental health professional. We located a therapist that she continues to see in Tupelo, MS, weekly.
Once all options were tried at the Campbell’s Clinic, she was referred to Vanderbilt’s Pediatric Hospital in Nashville, TN. Our particular doctor and nurse team had been known to have success with CRPS. At Vanderbilt, Mattie Ruth received 3 sympathetic nerve blocks, 1 total spinal block, and an epidural catheter for 5 days during an inpatient stay in the hospital with around the clock therapy. She did not receive any relief from the epidural catheter. However, through the excruciating, painful therapy, she was able to relearn how to put a sock on and keep it on for the first time since her accident! This was a HUGE success!
After the hospital stay at Vanderbilt our options were trial and error completely. Mattie Ruth was done with needles and procedures. She was honest with her doctor and said no more. He asked her what she wanted to do for the next step. She quickly answered, “Please send me somewhere they can teach me to walk again without being stuck anymore.” After much discussion with the doctor/nurse team at Vanderbilt, family, and many prayers for discernment, we felt led to The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio where they specialize in CRPS. We have had our initial evaluation and will be headed there very soon for an extended stay in order for Mattie Ruth to crush CRPS and walk again!
This is the part where Mattie Ruth, and I, as well as our entire family (both sides as we are a blended family) are asking for 2 things. First and foremost, PRAYER! We believe in the power of prayer! So, many blessings have already been answered by our Heavenly Father! Second, donations. I never saw myself in this position. Please, do not misinterpret that statement. As parents, you think something like this will never happen to your child or someone in your family. My mom and past preachers too, have always said, “just be thankful they aren’t passing the plate for you!” I always believed that to be true and thanked the Lord for that as well. However, now through the Lord’s perfect plan, I am here in this position. Asking that if you can and would like to donate to help with Mattie Ruth’s expenses and our travel expenses over the next few months, please do! I have set up this gofundme page in order to set a goal that I know will at least cover some of our out of pocket expenses. Things such as gas for all our appointments, the biggest one PLANE TICKETS as we travel back and forth to Cleveland, OH, food while we are away from home, etc.
So, out of my element, acting on Faith,I am asking you to take the time to make even the smallest donation you can in order for Mattie Ruth to walk again!!! I am thanking you in advance for your help; whether that be praying for Mattie Ruth to have strength and endurance during treatments, for our safety while traveling, and/or any donation.
THANK YOU.
Organizer
LaShay Bryan
Organizer
Ripley, MS