2/24/2024

Hey party people I've been in what I think is nesting like energy of trying to get my space together in prep for Tuesday the 27th: Yeetus day! Making sure I have enough stool softeners, laxatives, easy to eat meals, a grabber and my room arranged in a way that will be helpful. I planned to work till the 23rd and then take off the 26th just to do last minute prep, relax and reflect. Well on the 22nd I was informed that due to budgetary cuts, my contract would not be extended beyond April 11,2024. I had anticipated returning to work around April 22nd on a modified schedule and working up to working my full time hours. Talk about a wrench in your plans ha. But this leaves me the opportunity to truly focus on healing without a superficial date of returning to work. I do have some other job opportunities in the works but they are several months away from realizing. So any and all support is greatly appreciated. I do have two registries for surgery items if folks want to also support that way .  https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift/yeet-my-uterus-recovery

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/VY24JYCD8QW

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2/2/24 Major update:

After switching doctors and hospitals for my surgery, I have a new date: February 27,2024 ! I also qualify for financial assistance from the hospital and will not have to come out of pocket. There for the funds raised will still be for 3 months rent and utilities, food for myself and Nippy. I have adjusted the amount I'm raising to reflect this.

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I'm having a hysterectomy on January 17,2024 and I thought by now I would have made a miracle happen. A miracle that I could put off all my own without asking for help, without telling folks what I was going through. However, as magical as I am, I have not been able to pull off that miracle. Through the encouragement of loved ones who are aware of my current health situation, I am bringing in and calling out to my larger community to be part of my healing journey and helping me raise funds to pay for my surgery and care for myself while I am recovering from major surgery.

I thought I would be able to put off asking for others' help and that a miracle in the form of a better-paying job, different health and short-term disability insurance, or other money-making opportunities would come through. However, that has not happened. Since turning 30 my body has had several down moments that I thought were par for the course when you turned 30. So I pushed things off things, thinking it was me just getting older, you know back pain, no longer a spry chicken, and the list goes on. In December 2022 I woke up and could not get out of bed, due to severe back pain. I thought it was just the stress of a job turning physical that was causing my body to shut down. However, after my diagnosis, I have a different idea of what was causing this and many other symptoms. I was able to rehab my back, strengthen my core over three months, and start a new line of work in construction. 

After completing a pre-apprenticeship in carpentry in April of 2023, I was accepted into the Philadelphia Carpenter's Union as a Cabinet Maker. However, this dream was cut short due to injuring my shoulder and going through another round of physical therapy. I was able to make a quick transition back to office work. On the evening of August 9th, 2023, I experienced what I thought was a dehydration and menstrual cramp before bed. I drank water then woke up for work and found the cramp didn't change. I reminded myself to drink more water throughout the workday and take some pain meds if it got worse. I thought I could tough it out as I do not earn sick time or vacation time. About 3 hours into my work day, I knew something wasn't right; it hurt to laugh, bend over, stand up, sit down, breathe in or out. I left work for urgent care hoping for relief. Due to my symptoms, I was advised to go to the ER for an ultrasound. I was very lucky when after triaging at the ER instead of waiting to be seen by a doctor and then going to imaging, I was sent to imaging right away. I was given an ultrasound first of my abdomen and within 30 seconds of applying the wand, the technician informed me I had plenty of fibroids and she asked if I knew. This was my first time hearing I had fibroids as my periods had been regular my whole life, with no severe cramping, heavy bleeding, or anemia, anything pointing to fibroids. Then it was time for the transvaginal ultrasound where I learned that due to the number of fibroids, my uterus was enlarged, had fluid in it, and had at least three fibroids measuring between a golf ball and tennis size. The exam was done and I was taken back to the doctor who wanted to run more tests, to determine if any other organs like my kidneys or liver were causing the pain-everything was normal except for the uterus. It was time to follow up with an OB-GYN to discuss treatment.

 I was very lucky and blessed to be able to get an appointment a week and a half later to see what my options were. In discussing treatment plans we determined that I was having a hysterectomy. Due to the fibroids size, my high cervix, and large uterus size, the gynecologist advised I may need a C-Section hysterectomy over the less invasive laparoscopic hysterectomy. On January 17th, 2024 we are aiming for the laparoscopic but I am prepared that may not happen. In part being prepared for this, it means I will need more financial support. I will be out of work for at least 3 months and possibly longer depending on how my body heals.

These funds gathered here are to support me pre-surgery and post-surgery. The biggest thing is my surgery is happening at the beginning of the year and I will not have paid down my deductible. I will also need to pay surgeon and anesthesiology fees which insurance typically doesn't cover. In the money raised this will cover three months of rent and utilities. I will also need to provide care to my cat Nippy during this time. This amount scares me but I'm more scared about my health if I don't have the surgery in January. There will be non-financial opportunities to support me through providing meals, praying for me before and after the surgery, checking in on me, coming to take care of Nippy, and sharing memes in my recovery.

So please join me in this miracle-making journey by sharing and donating. Every dollar, share, and prayer matters.

Cost Break Down

• $2,000 for insurance deductible
• $3,000 3 months of rent and utilities+bills
• $4,000 surgeon and anesthesiology fees
• $1,500 care for Nippy
• $2,000 groceries and post-surgery appointments, meds