Life-changing hip surgery for Ange

$14,620 donated

Given by 182 generous donors in around 6 months

Please help to privately fund a desperately needed hip surgery so Ange can get out of pain, back to work and rediscover her joy for life!

Wellington

+3 images

Kia ora, I’m Ange Kalogeropoulos, I'm 44 and live in the beautiful South Wairarapa with my two awesome kids, Lily & Levi, and husband Warren. I’m a happy, caring person and love my whānau and friends dearly. I've also been fortunate to have seen and done some amazing things throughout my life so far.

However... I have a painful, degenerative hip condition and for 3 years have been battling the NZ public health system for a surgery I now desperately need. I’m on daily pain meds and struggle with simple daily activities we generally don’t put much thought into - housework, cooking, sleeping, exercising, having fun with the kids etc. Even walking more than 500mtrs is difficult.

I have an Acetabular Labral (soft tissue/cartilage) tear in my right hip joint. Sadly, these don’t repair on their own. My specialist recommended me to the DHB for surgery to fix the tear (Hip Arthroscopy) yet, from the DHB's perspective, I fall below their 'level of need' threshold... I wouldn't wish this debilitating condition on my worst enemy.

The recent discovery of FAI (abnormal bone shape) plus early stages of the dreaded Osteo-Arthritis has further complicated things - and means an early Total Hip Replacement (THR) is potentially now on the cards. The theory is that the replacement will wear out faster with me being more active than someone much older. Which I find counterintuitive.. Given my physical way of life is so deeply impacted now - I would rather take that risk. The ability to return as a fully functioning person within our society (working, not relying on support etc) at my age is 100% worth it from my point of view.

After the DHB declining me surgery for a 3RD time in April 2021, I was devastated to say the least. And my only option now is to go private. Full costs are unknown at this point, but it will be well into the 10's of 1000's

I’m deeply saddened I’ve had to fight our health system for so long, the energy it takes whilst living with the exhaustion that chronic pain brings makes normal life extremely difficult and so much is passing me by. I want to get back to work so I can assist my husband in supporting us financially and I need to rediscover that ‘joie de vivre’ I know is still there somewhere!

Friends & whānau encouraged me to create this page so anyone wanting to help in a tangible way can do so easily.

Every little bit helps and I thank you all, in advance, from the bottom of my heart, for showing such generosity, compassion & kindness. Ka nui taku aroha xx

Use of funds

Private hip arthroscopy (or hip replacement) surgery. If anything is left over, or I don't quite make the target:

- Rehabilitation (physio/strengthening etc)

- Top tier health insurance

- Extra family support whilst I’m not working

Other page links

FINAL final update! 15 November 2021

This page closes in the next day or so (where’d THAT 6 months go?!) and I know I said the last update would be my final, but last week I got the news I was beginning to feel would never come, so thought I’d share and leave on a high instead..

The good news: I have my surgery re-locked in!

14th February 2022 is MY day – I get a romantic overnight stay in hospital for Valentines lol

To be completely honest the last 12-18 months have been some of my most difficult ever, the strain of living with chronic pain & dysfunction has taken a hefty toll on all aspects of my health ..extra bad timing that this pandemic kicked off the same time which, the combination of both, has made life almost unbearable at times. My world has become very small and I’ve struggled more than I can even describe (without turning into a sobbing mess). I’m a little overwhelmed with the state of things right now & realise we all have our own struggles with it, but for my own wellbeing I’ve begun 'living simpler' & tuning out the noise (staying mostly away from social media is a major!), as it’s time to fill my own cup now. Call it necessary self-preservation.

Surgery aside, I have a LOT of work to do to get back to the 'Awesome Ange' I know I am (I’m a lil' terrified at the prospect tbh), but I AM resilient and to now have this date locked in I’m one very tangible step closer to getting back to her, and for that I’m real happy... I’m going to be ok…

So, from me, one last time, thank you. The response from you all, my loved ones and some complete strangers, when I needed it the most has left a lasting impression on me. It’s changed my course (for the better) and I’ll never forget it.

Peace out whānau xx

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