I am beyond the point of feeling too proud or embarrassed to ask for help. As many of you know, this has been a hellish year for our family, incredibly taxing my body mentally and physically.

Shortly following a traumatic emergency c-section, little Ekro went into the PICU, and our world exploded in support financially, emotionally, and physically. Our community showed up for us in a way that was unexpected and will never be forgotten.

Unfortunately, I need help again, and I am asking for myself.

When I first became pregnant with Ekro, it was soon discovered, through multiple pap smears and biopsies taken, that I had cancerous cells on my cervix. Fortunately, I could complete my pregnancy and address this after the fact. We have reached the "after the fact" this week. A few days after he was discharged from the PICU, I met with my Oncology Gynecologist. I had another exam done, where it was determined that my cells were accelerating instead of clearing up, which has been known to happen after pregnancy. I am no longer eligible for an in-office treatment due to this progression therefore, I will need surgery to remove 90% of my cervix.

This surgery is scheduled for July 14th at 8 am.

While waiting for this surgery to approach, I felt extreme weakness and instability in my left knee. This knee underwent an ACL reconstruction surgery in 2018. I dislocated the knee four times in one week while simply walking, then decided it wise to seek an Orthopaedic Surgeon for an exam and scans to see what was happening. Two weeks ago, I had my appointment and was informed that my ACL is no longer attached. Additionally, my initial surgery was a bad one; the surgeon even went so far as to describe it as botched. She asked what the surgery entailed and what the doctor had recommended and was horrified. Long story short, I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. My ligaments are too loose to support my joints and rely solely on my muscles for stability. I should have never had the surgery I initially had. I need immediate surgery to repair this damaged knee with a new ACL, MCL and an artificial internal brace with new screws and pins to support my knee. I must also have PT 3 times a week for a minimum of 8 months.

My knee surgery is scheduled for July 27th.

Through all of this, I am so grateful that I found in-network doctors, but my Medicaid will terminate at the end of September. Also, from previous experience with my last surgery, I will be in a wheelchair for about a week and then on crutches with a knee immobilizer for quite some time. On top of this, Clementine will no longer be in summer camp, so I will be back full-time daily caring for my two kids. Balancing all of this on top of working as much as physically possible to make my bills is rough. As it stands, I can only afford to take three days off for my first surgery and at most one week for my second.

I would be eternally grateful if anyone feels they can support me by having some time to recover from my two surgeries, focus on my children, and heal my mind and body.

Any donations would be used to cover lost wages, time off from work, food, bills, and future PT once my health insurance terminates in September, as I will be out-of-pocket for six months. I have a PT referred to me that is $75 self-pay per visit, so I am looking at $225 weekly to get me walking again.