Nat Cramer's Spine Surgery
Donation protected
Dear Friends,
It is difficult for me to ask for help when so many in the world are suffering, but here goes:
My family and I need more help than ever. I'm injured, out of work, with expensive surgery my only option for recovery.
Last Summer, I realized my neck was damaged badly while on a camping trip. My arms and hands suddenly went numb - and stayed that way for almost an hour. I could barely move them. By the time I returned home, things were worse and my legs were like lead weights, I was losing my balance and falling over, with loss of control in other parts of my body that I won't get into. :(
For a year, I worked with some of the finest doctors in the Bay Area who wanted to rule out diseases like MS or Parkinson's and try to manage my condition with conservative pain management treatments, including medications, PT, meditation, breathing exercises, steroid injections.
MRI and EMG show both my spinal cord and nerve roots are seriously compromised - at multiple points in my neck, - "likely requiring, complex, life-preserving surgery."
After every test and therapy under the sun, my medical team is now convinced that my issues are 100% structural, and that if I delay surgery, my condition could lead to PARALYSIS or DEATH; It does not repair itself and is typically progressive.
I'm a mess. Nothing has worked and my condition is getting worse, fast:
-Hand, arm pain is so intense I can barely hold a pen - skin is on fire.
-Pain and spasticity so bad that basics like shaving - almost impossible.
-Repetitive motion turns my arm or leg muscles to rocks in minutes.
-Arms & legs feel heavier almost every day - muscles wasting away.
-I have difficulty grasping things and drop (break) stuff constantly
-Walking is getting difficult, often requiring me to hold onto things
-I can do few of my favorite activities.
-I get painful jolts all over my body, making my limbs jump suddenly.
-I am getting intense headaches for the first time ever.
-As each day goes on my pain gets worse; difficult to fall asleep.
-Needless to say, my quality of life is horrible and prospects for supporting my family are bleak without surgery.
My condition has become so severe that my Dr has taken me out of work to get the treatment I need. My pain has been so intense I can barely sit and think.
***I need neck surgery ASAP to stop progression of my condition, prevent total paralysis or death, and give me a shot at a great recovery, so I can support my family again.***
I cannot remain disabled. As the sole bread winner for my family (Wife, Son, Daughter, California Mortgage), I need to get back on my feet ASAP.
The surgery I need is not done in the US and not covered by insurance.
However, now I have reason for hope: after careful research, I have learned that surgeons have been performing the exact surgery I need (4-level artificial disc replacement) abroad for over 20 years! I have reviewed dozens of cases with life-saving outcomes.
The bad news? I have to pay for the surgery 100% out of pocket:
Hospital & Surgeon Fees: $77k
Travel Costs: $5k
Rehab Room & Board: $5k
Living Expenses until Recovered: ~$13k
***I need roughly $100k ASAP in order to schedule surgery this Fall.***
So, while I am asking for any financial help I can get via this GFM campaign, we are doing everything we can reasonably do to cut living costs and raise $ for my surgery and pay bills while I am out of work:
1. We just sold our new car, so we no longer have ANY car payments
2. We are trying to refinance our home, but having trouble on disability
3. We are trying to get a HELOC, but having trouble with low income
4. We are cutting subscriptions, cancelling classes, and eating in
5. We are seeking cheap internet and phone plans
6. My wife and kids are seeking part time work
If I can get a loan, I will use any donations from this GFM campaign to pay off the loan and pay our bills.
I am also seeking a disability lawyer to try to preserve my short-term disability payments and health insurance.
My health is key to my family's survival. While we are full of anxiety regarding how we will afford all this, I have hope for the future - for the first time in years - as the surgery I need has very high success rates.
If you have anything you can spare, we will be forever grateful. $ helps a lot, but prayers and emotional support are welcomed, as well. If you are local to me and able-bodied I could use some labor to help finish car projects and sell them to raise $.
Thank you for taking the time to hear my story.
All the best,
Nat Cramer
It is difficult for me to ask for help when so many in the world are suffering, but here goes:
My family and I need more help than ever. I'm injured, out of work, with expensive surgery my only option for recovery.
Last Summer, I realized my neck was damaged badly while on a camping trip. My arms and hands suddenly went numb - and stayed that way for almost an hour. I could barely move them. By the time I returned home, things were worse and my legs were like lead weights, I was losing my balance and falling over, with loss of control in other parts of my body that I won't get into. :(
For a year, I worked with some of the finest doctors in the Bay Area who wanted to rule out diseases like MS or Parkinson's and try to manage my condition with conservative pain management treatments, including medications, PT, meditation, breathing exercises, steroid injections.
MRI and EMG show both my spinal cord and nerve roots are seriously compromised - at multiple points in my neck, - "likely requiring, complex, life-preserving surgery."
After every test and therapy under the sun, my medical team is now convinced that my issues are 100% structural, and that if I delay surgery, my condition could lead to PARALYSIS or DEATH; It does not repair itself and is typically progressive.
I'm a mess. Nothing has worked and my condition is getting worse, fast:
-Hand, arm pain is so intense I can barely hold a pen - skin is on fire.
-Pain and spasticity so bad that basics like shaving - almost impossible.
-Repetitive motion turns my arm or leg muscles to rocks in minutes.
-Arms & legs feel heavier almost every day - muscles wasting away.
-I have difficulty grasping things and drop (break) stuff constantly
-Walking is getting difficult, often requiring me to hold onto things
-I can do few of my favorite activities.
-I get painful jolts all over my body, making my limbs jump suddenly.
-I am getting intense headaches for the first time ever.
-As each day goes on my pain gets worse; difficult to fall asleep.
-Needless to say, my quality of life is horrible and prospects for supporting my family are bleak without surgery.
My condition has become so severe that my Dr has taken me out of work to get the treatment I need. My pain has been so intense I can barely sit and think.
***I need neck surgery ASAP to stop progression of my condition, prevent total paralysis or death, and give me a shot at a great recovery, so I can support my family again.***
I cannot remain disabled. As the sole bread winner for my family (Wife, Son, Daughter, California Mortgage), I need to get back on my feet ASAP.
The surgery I need is not done in the US and not covered by insurance.
However, now I have reason for hope: after careful research, I have learned that surgeons have been performing the exact surgery I need (4-level artificial disc replacement) abroad for over 20 years! I have reviewed dozens of cases with life-saving outcomes.
The bad news? I have to pay for the surgery 100% out of pocket:
Hospital & Surgeon Fees: $77k
Travel Costs: $5k
Rehab Room & Board: $5k
Living Expenses until Recovered: ~$13k
***I need roughly $100k ASAP in order to schedule surgery this Fall.***
So, while I am asking for any financial help I can get via this GFM campaign, we are doing everything we can reasonably do to cut living costs and raise $ for my surgery and pay bills while I am out of work:
1. We just sold our new car, so we no longer have ANY car payments
2. We are trying to refinance our home, but having trouble on disability
3. We are trying to get a HELOC, but having trouble with low income
4. We are cutting subscriptions, cancelling classes, and eating in
5. We are seeking cheap internet and phone plans
6. My wife and kids are seeking part time work
If I can get a loan, I will use any donations from this GFM campaign to pay off the loan and pay our bills.
I am also seeking a disability lawyer to try to preserve my short-term disability payments and health insurance.
My health is key to my family's survival. While we are full of anxiety regarding how we will afford all this, I have hope for the future - for the first time in years - as the surgery I need has very high success rates.
If you have anything you can spare, we will be forever grateful. $ helps a lot, but prayers and emotional support are welcomed, as well. If you are local to me and able-bodied I could use some labor to help finish car projects and sell them to raise $.
Thank you for taking the time to hear my story.
All the best,
Nat Cramer
Organizer
Nat Cramer
Organizer
Petaluma, CA