Megan Rey's Recovery Fund

In your 30’s you expect to move and function freely without pain. You think sitting or standing for extended periods of time shouldn’t give you pause. Taking care of your kids and your house shouldn’t be a show stopper. Thirty-two year old Megan Rey, suddenly found herself struggling with intense back pain that shot down her legs, bringing her to her knees and some days, unable to function at all. In the fall of 2015, she sought help from her family physician. When pain meds and muscles relaxers failed, she turned to physical therapy thinking she had torn a muscle and that with some coaxing all would return to normal.

However, nothing returned to normal and her pain intensified. Finally, a MRI was ordered to understand the root of Megan’s pain. She and her family were devastated to learn she has a tumor growing on the lumbar section of her spine. The spinal surgeons from Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY, performed two biopsies, eventually diagnosing the tumor on her L5 vertebrae as a very rare Benign Notochordal Cell Tumor. Due to the rarity of this tumor, it was advised that through nerve blocking medication they manage Megan’s pain and observe the tumor first, as surgery would be invasive and recovery lengthy.


Although in some degree of constant pain, Megan has spent the last year as close to normal as possible. Caring for her three children, Abbie (17), Gabe (10) and Sam (7), Megan runs the household as a stay-at- home mom, while her husband, Adam, works at Evans Chemetics in Waterloo, NY. Their youngest, Sam, was diagnosed with autism at a young age and requires unique and constant care.       

With Megan’s pain gradually increasing, she urged doctor’s to re-evaluate the tumor this Fall. They found it closing in on her spinal cord, the discs completely gone, and have recommended surgery as soon as possible. The 12-18 hour surgery will remove Megan’s L5 vertebrae, replacing it with a cage, secured with multiple pins and rods. Bone from Megan’s hip as well as cadaver bone will be graphed to the area, where over time it is expected to fill in the make-shift vertebrae.

The Rey family now faces a difficult time ahead. Megan’s surgery will be scheduled as soon as the full surgical team can assemble. The 12 week recovery will leave her incapacitated and unable to care for their children or the house, while also requiring care herself. Due to the nature of Sam’s autism, stability and consistency are an integral part of keeping him composed, leaving only Megan and Adam able to provide the specific care that he requires. While Adam, the sole bread winner of the family, will be able to take a leave of absence from work to care for Sam and Megan, it will leave them completely without an income during this time.

For those of you raising families, you understand all that it takes to maintain and support a household; groceries for five, the mortgage, utilities through a NY winter, not to mention school lunches and the upcoming holidays. I know there are many who would like to help Megan and Adam through this time. The best way to do so is to support them financially until Megan is recovered and Adam can return to work. I have estimated their needs, both household and medical, to reach at least $10,000 over a three month period and have set that as the campaign goal. There is nothing more we could do, as their family and friends, then to ease their financial burden.  With continued support and prayers this remarkable family will no doubt persevere through the many challenges ahead of them.

The Rey Family and I sincerely thank you for your love and generosity.