08/15/2026
https://gofund.me/23b07fdee
Hey all!
Some may know, some may not. About 8 weeks ago I suffered a back injury lifting something out of our storage tent. I thought it was the same back injury as always rest and it will get better. Unfortunately, in this case it was not. 3 weeks of excruciating pain in my back and hip. At this point the pain was shooting down my left leg and I could not walk anymore. I was in so much pain I broke teeth. Three weeks of no sleep. None of the medicine was working. 4 weeks of extreme pain FINALLY University Orthopedics had a cancellation! On 7/6 Dr Alan Daniels called me himself. After seeing my MRI, He explained to me my situation. He would not deny me injections but unfortunately; he did not think they would not work in my case. He told me I will eventually need a spinal fusion, but not yet. I had a herniated disc with severe arthritic buildup. He had a cancelation that Friday 7/10 and he chose me for that surgery! After talking to Matthew, Mom, and Dad we decided to go for it!
**BEST DECISION EVER!**
For more than one reason!
1. Back pain GONE!!
2. Pre op Testing found that I have had a prior Heart Attack How does one have a heart attack and not know?
3. Hip pain is NOT nerve related I have a severe arthritic hips and I have been referred to a surgeon. My back surgeon said its bad and will need a possible Hip replacement.
4. I will need ANOTHER back surgery when I heal from this one. They need to go in further to remove more arthritic buildup further down that they could not safely remove.
To add to all of this as some of you know, I used to be severely overweight and have lost over 100lbs. Spent HOURS in the gym trying to lose this extra fat. I have recently found out I will never lose it and that it is a genetic condition called Lipedema. It is weighing me down and causing many of my issues. Removing the fat and diseased tissue causing the extra weight is the only way to treat this issue. Unfortunately, there are no doctors in Rhode Island that treat Lipedema, and I will have to travel out of state. Insurance covers bare minimum because Lipedema is not recognized yet as a condition. Hopefully soon!
As you can see I have a long road ahead of me. Opening this GoFundMe has been a tough thing for me.
The BIGGEST REASON is because I can not collect TDI or SSDI because I work as an independent contractor as a Personal Shopper. It gave me the opportunity to be there for my elderly parents! They have been needing me more and more to help them out as they get older and a normal job was getting to be less and less attainable.
This GoFundMe will help me SO much. Bills are piling up and with a long road ahead of me I am going to need help. I do not want to have to rely on my parents who are already maxed out due to a horrible contractor.
Anything will help. Even just a share.
Thank you ALL!
Hey all! Some may know, some may not. About 8 weeks ago I suffered a b… Kimberly Turcotte needs your support for Help Kim Overcome Health Challenges
