Help Needed for Surgery Recovery

3/23/25 Update

Hello friends! It's over - the spine surgery was done in Oakland. Lumbar decompression minimally invasive two levels-4 hrs.Thank God for the cancellation so my waiting for the operation wasn't 2 or 3 MORE months. I'm praying for a recovery that takes care of pain I have had in the past. It is hard for me to ask for help. It's embarrassing, but I need to ask for help just one last time. I have 6 weeks where I cannot turn to either side and I can't bend over. I live by myself. I will need to have someone help me with my personal care for a few more weeks. I appreciate all of you.

3/20/25 Update

My consultation with the neurosurgeon yesterday at Oakland Kaiser resulted in him recommending surgery. Usually it takes 2-3 months to have the surgery after this, but my condition and the surgeon's cancellation on Friday (yes - tomorrow!) made this quite a surprise. So - I have surgery

tomorrow morning. I'm not sure what to expect afterwards, but I will find out soon. All fingers and toes crossed.

2/24/25 Update!

My situation is much improved.

After coming home from a 3 day hospital stay (for profound iron anemia) I am feeling so much better.......improved enough that heating up a microwavable meal is now possible. Thanks to feeling better , I have been able to be up more often and shuffling around with a walker. I'm not going to win any races, but I'm up at least!

I haven't been able to drive, or go out alone in my beloved back yard for almost 4 months, but I have to try to be patient for as long as this takes..

The anemia is a separate issue of course from my herniated disks. That situation still remains, with the prognosis up in the air. I am still waiting to hear the neurosurgeon's opinion on whether or not surgery is recommended. There will be huge logistical obstacles to solve if surgery gets scheduled because the closest surgeon to do it is either in Vacaville, Oakland, or Redwood City Kaiser Hospitals. That bridge would have to be crossed later.

I am finally able to take a shower by myself thanks to my shower seat and grab bars.

The improvements are possible due to the pain meds . Without the meds, I can't bear weight on my legs. Unfortunately my lower left leg and foot on and the right foot continue being either numb or tingling and one foot has "dropped".

My current situation with the chance of surgery looming, has me quite apprehensive. I will keep you updated!

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ORIGINAL POST IS BELOW:

My picture is a typical one of me working outside in happier times. It's not meant to look like a beauty queen!

What's happening in my world? I unfortunately have a personal emergency.

My life was going well in 2024, and then went completely

upside-down.

I have been unable to work or do most anything I used to do before my injury last October 2024. I was stricken with 2 severely herniated discs in my back which have had me still almost immobilized, medicated, and managing pain for months.

According to my doctor there is a good chance I will have to have surgery soon to fix it. We are waiting for the 2nd opinion of the neurosurgeon for recommendation or not for the surgery. Adding insult to injury, my own injury has given me something I have dealt with besides immobility. I am very fortunate to have Kaiser.

The portions of these expenses wouldn’t be large to most, but they are sinking me.

I’m 73, have a large property, and have always worked so hard - building the business I have. I’ve taken care of the upkeep of the business for decades, and as I got older, I had to look for and I found an amazing worker to help me keep it going.

Over the years when I was always healthy, active, and productive:

I was able to build my saffron business from nothing to selling it to a 3-Star Restaurant

and

to building my egg-selling business to one now so popular that my chickens don’t lay enough to meet the demand (even before the egg shortage).

I'm now not able to collect eggs to sell, cook a meal, or even to do my own bath without help. My side job that paid all of the upkeep expenses is gone.

I feel like I’m losing it all.

I really need to hire personal care help, and help to maintain things for the upcoming months. I can't afford to. I want to get back on my feet but I don't want everything I have worked for to be neglected and ruined until I can take care of it again. I would be so incredibly grateful for your help.

I didn't know how much to try to raise, so please don't be upset if I aimed too high.

2/1 Update -when it rains it pours. I had to make an urgent trip to the ER and I'm now in the hospital (3 days) because I was profoundly iron anemic.

Hokey smokes, Bullwinkle

out of the hospital and waiting for surgeon's decision.