Courtney's Medical Fund
Donation protected
My name is Kaci Beeler and I am raising money to help a very dear friend of mine, Courtney Hopkin.
I've known Courtney since 2009, when we started doing theatre together. I've always been astounded by her incredible work ethic, talent, and heart. She's a tireless creative, a loyal friend, and a dedicated and devoted mother to her son Oscar (who just started 2nd grade!).
In the past year Courtney has been suffering from severe anemia. It started out as a lot of fatigue. She thought that perhaps it was due to her demanding work, creative, and personal schedule. She works as the Public Relations manager for The Hideout Theatre, does tons of on stage performances and rehearsals (often multiple a week), teaches weekly improv classes, and co-parents (often waking up at 6am and going to bed quite late, after rehearsals and shows that go late into the night).
She was also experiencing heavy bleeding and pain with her menstrual cycle. This is not so uncommon for women (and doctors often do not take such things as seriously as they should), so Courtney just tried to power through. Soon the fatigue became very bad. She would have to lie down for hours and hours. She was in a lot of pain.
After going to the doctor, she was diagnosed with Severe Anemia. She began treatment - extremely expensive and time consuming iron transfusions.
She was still bleeding a lot, her periods became more frequent. She was given an IUD to try and stop the bleeding, but it only got worse. She spent the past several months trying to wait it out. Begging and hoping and wishing the IUD method would work. She still needed frequent iron transfusions. She kept bleeding. The medical bills began to pile up but nothing was working longterm. Her insurance changed partway through her treatment, putting her in a difficult position and she switched coverage (with a gap) and then had to change doctors! (in the middle of this crisis)
Finally, this past week (on September 7, 2016), things took a turn for the worst. Courtney was bleeding again, more than ever, and she was in crippling pain. The big show she had been directing for months was about to premier, but she couldn't leave her bed. A trip to the oncologist confirmed that her iron levels were the lowest they had ever been. She needed an emergency iron transfusion.
She tried to rest and power through, hoping the transfusion would be enough to make her better. On Sunday, September 11th, Courtney was checked into Seton Southwest here in Austin and was given a blood transfusion. Her levels were dangerously low. They couldn't believe she was even able to walk. Further treatment revealed that she might need a full hysterectomy (removal of her uterus by surgery). The fibroids in her uterus (non-cancerous tumors) have been responsible for the non-stop heavy blood loss.
Right now, Courtney is finding out her next treatment options. That currently looks like artificial menopause and removal of fibroids (she needs to get her blood stores and iron back up before any major surgery).
I need your help, friends and family of Courtney Hopkin.
Courtney is an intensely private person. I write all of this out so that you know how serious this has been for her. She does not want to ask anyone for financial help. She hates burdening people. But our dear Courtney needs us. Let's pull together for her. Show her how much we love and care for her.
These medical expenses are astronomical - much more than the $5,000 I am asking for. I'd like to raise at LEAST $5,000 - more if possible. Please chip in whatever you can and spread the word!
It would mean the world to me, and to Courtney, to help alleviate some of this heavy weight on her. She's still fighting this fight. Fight it with her.
I've known Courtney since 2009, when we started doing theatre together. I've always been astounded by her incredible work ethic, talent, and heart. She's a tireless creative, a loyal friend, and a dedicated and devoted mother to her son Oscar (who just started 2nd grade!).
In the past year Courtney has been suffering from severe anemia. It started out as a lot of fatigue. She thought that perhaps it was due to her demanding work, creative, and personal schedule. She works as the Public Relations manager for The Hideout Theatre, does tons of on stage performances and rehearsals (often multiple a week), teaches weekly improv classes, and co-parents (often waking up at 6am and going to bed quite late, after rehearsals and shows that go late into the night).
She was also experiencing heavy bleeding and pain with her menstrual cycle. This is not so uncommon for women (and doctors often do not take such things as seriously as they should), so Courtney just tried to power through. Soon the fatigue became very bad. She would have to lie down for hours and hours. She was in a lot of pain.
After going to the doctor, she was diagnosed with Severe Anemia. She began treatment - extremely expensive and time consuming iron transfusions.
She was still bleeding a lot, her periods became more frequent. She was given an IUD to try and stop the bleeding, but it only got worse. She spent the past several months trying to wait it out. Begging and hoping and wishing the IUD method would work. She still needed frequent iron transfusions. She kept bleeding. The medical bills began to pile up but nothing was working longterm. Her insurance changed partway through her treatment, putting her in a difficult position and she switched coverage (with a gap) and then had to change doctors! (in the middle of this crisis)
Finally, this past week (on September 7, 2016), things took a turn for the worst. Courtney was bleeding again, more than ever, and she was in crippling pain. The big show she had been directing for months was about to premier, but she couldn't leave her bed. A trip to the oncologist confirmed that her iron levels were the lowest they had ever been. She needed an emergency iron transfusion.
She tried to rest and power through, hoping the transfusion would be enough to make her better. On Sunday, September 11th, Courtney was checked into Seton Southwest here in Austin and was given a blood transfusion. Her levels were dangerously low. They couldn't believe she was even able to walk. Further treatment revealed that she might need a full hysterectomy (removal of her uterus by surgery). The fibroids in her uterus (non-cancerous tumors) have been responsible for the non-stop heavy blood loss.
Right now, Courtney is finding out her next treatment options. That currently looks like artificial menopause and removal of fibroids (she needs to get her blood stores and iron back up before any major surgery).
I need your help, friends and family of Courtney Hopkin.
Courtney is an intensely private person. I write all of this out so that you know how serious this has been for her. She does not want to ask anyone for financial help. She hates burdening people. But our dear Courtney needs us. Let's pull together for her. Show her how much we love and care for her.
These medical expenses are astronomical - much more than the $5,000 I am asking for. I'd like to raise at LEAST $5,000 - more if possible. Please chip in whatever you can and spread the word!
It would mean the world to me, and to Courtney, to help alleviate some of this heavy weight on her. She's still fighting this fight. Fight it with her.
Organizer and beneficiary
Kaci Beeler
Organizer
Austin, TX
Courtney Hopkin
Beneficiary