Louth teacher makes appeal for help to undergo back surgery – ‘I want a normal life’

The 37-year-old music lover has already undergone two operations and is hoping that further surgery will give her some semblance of a normal life.

She began experiencing problems three years ago and at one stage was told that she would be a quadriplegic within months if she didn't have surgery.

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A native of Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, Goretti moved to Dundalk when she was 19 and lived for ten to twelve years when she worked in Vodafone call centre up until 2012,

She went back to college to train as a teacher and works in Bush Post Primary School, although she has been on sick leave for much of the past three years due to excruciating back pain.

A big music fan, she made many connections in Dundalk, particularly among those who attended gigs in the Spirit Store, which she describes as her local during her time in town.

One of those friends, Annie Lawrence organises a craft and food market in the popular Toales Bar in Crowe Street Dundalk, and when she saw that Goretti was raising funds for spinal surgery, she decided to donate the vendors fees from the May market to her GoFundMe appeal.

"It means a lot to me that people are so kind,” says Goretti, who now lives in Castleblayney with her husband Philip and their two dogs.

“It’s been a tough few years,” she says, outlining her struggle to find relief from the crippling pain caused by a number of spinal issues.

"My entire spine is a mess. I’ve been told a few times my MRIs resemble those of an 80-year- old. I have Degenerative Disc Disease and Osteoarthritis in almost every part of it.”

"It’s something that I’m going to have to struggle with for the rest of my life and it took me some time to realise that it’s not something that’s easy to fix.”

While Goretti has had two complex surgeries in Beaumont Hospital to her upper and lower back, she says she is still in pain and is now preparing to undergo further surgery in Belfast in a bid to get back some semblance of a normal life.

"It’s been a real roller coaster for the past two and a half to three years,” she says. “I want to live a normal life, get up, go to work and do normal things.”

"I struggle with a lot of pain,” she explains. “My neck is causing issues with my head, neck, shoulders, arms, hands. And my lumbar is responsible for the symptoms affecting me from the waist down.”

“"I’m on every medication going, I’ve had physio, I’m doing everything I’m supposed to do but I still can't get through an entire day without lying down as it physically hurts too much to keep my head up or to sit or stand for long periods of time.”

She adds that it’s not just her physical heath that is impacted.

"It’s draining, mentally, physically, emotionally and financially.”

Not happy with the treatment she was getting in the Irish healthcare system and fearing that her symptoms could worsen, she sought a second opinion with a neurosurgeon in Belfast.

He told her that she had congenitally narrow cervical spinal canal which she was unaware of and which contributes to her problems.

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After carrying out a dynamic MRI he has recommended that she have further surgery and she has been given a date of May 6 for her operation.

"He has given me a bit of hope and that’s what I’m clinging to.”

She admits that she is feeling anxious about the surgery, as she knows that the recovery period will be difficult.

"I’m 37 and would love some semblance of a normal life again. My moshing days are well behind me, but I’d give anything to be able to go for a walk, or work a full day without feeling like passing out from the agony. I know it’s unlikely I’ll ever be pain-free, but if there’s even a slight chance this surgery could help a little then I’ll take it.”

Goretti has set up a GoFundMe page to help with her treatment costs, as the couple only have her husband's income at this stage.

So far she has raised nearly €7,000 of the €21,000 target.

She is grateful to all those who have supported her and to Annie Lawrence for donating the proceeds from the next craft fair by Kitsch Bitsch at Toales on May 4.

"It’s going to be a brilliant day,” says Annie, “We have an African food vendor coming for those who want to try the food that went viral all over the world last year, as well as cakes and hot drinks and lots to look at and buy, including vintage and retro recreation dresses.”

"There’s also going to be a huge raffle, with great prizes, including a painting by local artist Fiona Quigley"