CARMS UP IN ARMS FOR A SPINE THAT’S FINE

Carmen Docdocil, (40 yrs old) is a single mom living with her dad - a senior citizen, her older brother - a PWD, and her cute little boy. She’s the breadwinner of the family and she works at a local broadcasting station in Butuan City. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the station also suffered and can no longer continue to support all its workforce, hence, what she’s getting is merely an allowance instead of her monthly salary. Despite the challenging situation, she was never disheartened. Instead, she finds other means to earn extra income. Carmen is known by many to be a kindhearted soul. She’s a staunch advocate of Charity works. Its actually her forte. She also loves doing projects and started the barter community in the city. She even spearheaded the "bondpaper" donation drive for schools located at the far flung barrios of Butuan.

Just as the pandemic started, she has been complaining of back aches and pains as well as left lower extremity weakness. There had been several occasions where she just suddenly trips over and falls to the ground causing minor foot and leg injuries. She has shrugged this off and laughed it out and considered them as just mere “simultaneous accidents” in the beginning, but as these accidents progressed, it became a cause for great concern. This led her to decide and have herself checked in the hospital. After a brief recount of her health complaints and incidences to the doctor, she was advised to undergo MRI. Since MRI procedures are not operational as of that time in Butuan, she traveled all the way to Cagayan de Oro City, despite the hassle, just to have the procedure done. When the results came out, her greatest fears came about. These were the medical findings (please bear with the medical terms):

• Degenerative osseous changes
• Schmorl's nodes - L1 & L2
• Disc dessiccation and narrowing of the intervertebral disc spaces - L2 to L5
• Bilateral facet joint hypertrophy
• Lumbar spondylosis

In layman's terms, Carmen is suffering from damaged spinal discs in her lower back. And the only option for her is to have this surgery. If left untreated, she will continue to experience out-of-her-control trips and falls, would need canes or crutches to aid her walk, and worst, she will lose her left leg due to diminished, and eventually lack of blood flow.

Her surgeon's prescription is for her to undergo fusion surgery where a titanium disc will be inserted in her spinal column (in the affected discs) to correct the diseased parts. She was given two weeks to prepare for the operation and the cost is a whopping Php 700,000.00!!! That is just the initial cost assessment. We all know that due to the pandemic, hospital costs have already skyrocketed.

Because of lack of funds, she requested for an extension so she can raise money for the operation. Given all the situation above, her friends are humbly appealing to your gracious hearts to help and donate any amount that you can to this cause. We pray that with your help, this can enormously go a long way for Carmen's travail to better health and recovery.

Please also share this to your friends and family.

Thank you for taking time to read Carmen's story and we wish you good health and abundance.

Keep safe and stay healthy.