I need a little help from my friends ❤️

Hi, I hope you’re all well. ☺️

 

I’m pretty embarrassed to have to do this and it’s taken me a lot of courage to ask for help so please be nice.

 

After almost 4 years of excruciating pains in my left leg, sleepless nights, days off work, doctors appointments & several MRI scans, I was diagnosed with a rare type of spinal tumour (Schwannoma) in September 2021.

 

The tumour was pressing onto my spinal cord causing the severe pains in my left leg - I was told that this pain was nerve damage and it was only going to get worse. I was at risk of losing the feeling in my legs and eventually, complete paralysis due to spinal cord compression. I’m 32 years old.

 

My only real option was to have a procedure called a Laminectomy to remove the tumour and on the 2nd December 2021, less than 12 weeks after being diagnosed, I was wheeled down to theatre by my amazing surgeon and brilliant team at The Walton Centre in Liverpool.

 

The surgery was a success and the tumour was removed (and is thankfully benign!) but I have a long and painful 18-24 months recovery ahead of me.

 

My employer initially was kind enough to give me 4 weeks paid leave and then I was required to work part time hours (2-6pm) for 8 weeks and then back working full time hours, which I’ve been doing from home as luckily, my job was fully remote.

 

That being said, this has still been a challenge due to the severe pain I’ve been in, strong medication I’ve been on, sleepless nights, hospital appointments, doctors appointments, hot baths, ice packs, lots of tears and everything in between.

 

On Friday 29th April, the small start up company that I worked for told me that they hadn’t secured the investment they needed and as a result, I was being made redundant.

 

I’d been given no prior warning that this might happen, no notice and I am not entitled to receive any redundancy pay. 

 

I live alone in a house with my dog, Maggie. I unfortunately do not have savings to fall back on. I have rent, bills and food to pay for. It’s still very early days into my recovery and I’m in so much pain still that I’m unable to look for anything other than remote work because I just wouldn’t be able to cope with going to interviews / into an office.

 

I can’t walk very far due to the nerve damage. I can’t carry or lift heavy items until my back is healed properly. I can’t manage a normal office job due to me potentially needing to take extra breaks etc during the day to rest and recover.

 

So, with all this in mind, I’m asking if you might be able to help by donating if you can or sharing with anyone who might be able to help me to get through this period of recovery without the added stress of losing my only income and my home during what has and is still one of the most mentally draining and physically pain experiences of my life. 

 

Any funds raised will go towards paying my rent, bills and food for Maggie and I, until I’m in a position where I’m able to start looking for work again.

 

If I receive more funds than I need then I’ll donate these to a number of charities close to my heart.

 

Thank you so much for reading. ❤️

 

Sarah x