Life can take and unexpected turn that forces you to discover the depths of your strength. It wasn’t until my battle began with RSD/CRPS that I truly understood the power behind these words: “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice”.
I’m Laura Lee Novak and I have RSD/CRPS (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) throughout my entire body. It is estimated that over 3 million people in the U.S. alone have CRPS, and sadly there is no cure. RSD/CRPS can happen to anyone as a result of a minor/major injury or trauma to the body. It is not known why some people develop it and others do not…but no one is immune. RSD/CRPS is ranked among the most painful diseases in medicine, and sadly it is progressive. If you can imagine your hands, feet, legs or any part of your body wrapped in barbed wire, soaked in gasoline… set on fire…and your bones being crushed… 24 hours a day, seven days a week... then you can imagine the pain of RSD/CRPS. It is a pain ranked higher than amputation of a finger without anesthesia. After supporting myself for so many years , my medical conditions caused me to lose my home and force me to move back home where I am dependent upon my parents. My Dad retired years ago, and my parents are on a modest fixed income. In addition to my RSD/CRPS, my health situation is compounded because my lower spine is fused with hardware as the result of an on the job injury. The surgery failed, and due to the extreme pain from those conditions, in addition to complications with severe Gastroparesis, wasting and a compromised immune system , I am left unable to function normally or tend to daily living without difficulty and some form of assistance. I believed I would receive all the medical care I needed through WC. In truth, the system didn’t work that way. The excruciating pain was nonstop. When you battle such a misdiagnosed, under treated disease with little awareness, you begin to search the internet for any and all possible treatments. That is how I learned about Ketamine Infusion Therapy, and how it could possibly help lessen my pain. Since the Workman’s Compensation program refused to pay for the infusion therapy, I had to seek ketamine infusions and other treatments on my own to help mitigate my pain any way possible. Terrified by facing such intense relentless 24/7 pain, I did something I never in my life thought I would ever need to do. I began fundraising for my own infusions and treatments . I pleaded to family, friends and total strangers for financial help so that I could undergo Ketamine IV Infusion Therapy to help my pain. Thankfully in 2012, through additional help and research, we were lead to Dr Ashraf Hanna at the Florida Spine Institute in Clearwater, Florida and made arrangements for my Ketamine Infusion Therapy. These infusions were the only thing that helped me from being bed bound 24/7 unable to stand up from the pain, and gave me moments of less pain. RSD/CRPS is unfortunately incurable and a life sentence. Dr. Ashraf Hanna and his medical team at Florida Spine Institute are truly wonderful. I cannot say enough about their tailored compassionate care. Without my infusions, I would be bed bound. Although there is never a moment without pain and my mobility/ability remains limited, I am truly grateful for what my infusions have done to help. CRPS pain is beyond unbearable and beyond anything you can imagine. I do not have the funds to finance the scope of care and treatments that I will continue to need. Unless there is a miraculous medical discovery or cure, I will need Ketamine infusions and other treatments for the rest of my life. It is an extremely humbling experience to ask for financial help. No amount is too small, and I am grateful every penny donated. Every $1.00 adds up and helps enable me to receive treatments. This website was established for gathering funds to help pay for my medical care , and my parents help oversee it. Funds will only be dispensed to persons or facilities that provide help or assistance in treating my CRPS and associated pain and complications . If you would like to make a donation , you may do so either by using the donate option on my secure website here , or you may send it payable to Laura Lee Novak , in care of Donald C. Novak, 2712 Heathgate Way, Land O Lakes, Florida, 34638. Thank you for your kindness and generosity. With your help, I will be able to obtain treatments that help me live a life with less pain. Feel free to contact us with any questions or suggestions at 321-720-9314 . Thank you for your prayers and God Bless. Sincerely, Laura Lee Novak |