Will's Surprise Surgery
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My name is Will Talley. Just last month, I was still in high school, and summer was racing towards me. I couldn’t wait to be done with my last AP exams, enjoy my final summer as a high schooler, and go off to college to savor some of the best years of my life! But instead of smooth sailing, I walked into rough seas. Instead of taking my exams normally and free of extra stress, I had to be the only one in the room standing, because sitting down would be too painful. I even considered moving my exams to the summer. I had contracted Pilonidal Cyst Disease.
It started innocently enough. I was on my way back home from a band performance when I found that I had to shift in the seat. Sitting with correct posture hurt terribly. A cyst that I didn’t know about had gotten infected. After a few days of worsening symptoms (and gross things that I can’t unsee), I went to the doctor, and sure enough, I was diagnosed. After being treated with antibiotics the pain went away slowly, but I still had to get it removed or else it would come back repeatedly over the course of my life. So, just last week, I had the cyst excised at the hospital. And anyone who has ever run into medical trouble knows that the words “surgery” and “hospital” spell serious financial problems.
The bills we got—and are still getting—are huge. Even with insurance, I will be meeting my deductible this year, exceeding $5000. On top of all that, I also need to get my wisdom teeth removed this summer, which pushes the cost much higher. Last week, I could feel the edge of one of my wisdom molars for the first time. Not a good sign at all!
These costs together would cripple my family’s funds alone, but the biggest predator is still around the corner in August: College. Any funds that we raise beyond our goal (in the miraculous event that we reach it) will go towards college. After an out-of-state tuition waiver, a freshman scholarship, and student loans, about $14,000 annually remain in question. I’m vigorously applying for scholarships, but so far, luck hasn’t been on my side. So even if we do meet our goal, donations are still very, very welcome.
If you donate, I will forever grateful! My family cannot possibly tackle these recent struggles on our own, so support is so, so welcome. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
A quick rundown of myself:
· Eagle Scout.
· Very driven student. Will be attending FSU’s Honors program, accepted into Georgia Tech (but not focused on engineering—sorry, Buzz!), and in my class’s top tenth.
· Music student and band nerd for life. Drum major of my high school’s successful marching band program.
Have a fantastic day,
Will
It started innocently enough. I was on my way back home from a band performance when I found that I had to shift in the seat. Sitting with correct posture hurt terribly. A cyst that I didn’t know about had gotten infected. After a few days of worsening symptoms (and gross things that I can’t unsee), I went to the doctor, and sure enough, I was diagnosed. After being treated with antibiotics the pain went away slowly, but I still had to get it removed or else it would come back repeatedly over the course of my life. So, just last week, I had the cyst excised at the hospital. And anyone who has ever run into medical trouble knows that the words “surgery” and “hospital” spell serious financial problems.
The bills we got—and are still getting—are huge. Even with insurance, I will be meeting my deductible this year, exceeding $5000. On top of all that, I also need to get my wisdom teeth removed this summer, which pushes the cost much higher. Last week, I could feel the edge of one of my wisdom molars for the first time. Not a good sign at all!
These costs together would cripple my family’s funds alone, but the biggest predator is still around the corner in August: College. Any funds that we raise beyond our goal (in the miraculous event that we reach it) will go towards college. After an out-of-state tuition waiver, a freshman scholarship, and student loans, about $14,000 annually remain in question. I’m vigorously applying for scholarships, but so far, luck hasn’t been on my side. So even if we do meet our goal, donations are still very, very welcome.
If you donate, I will forever grateful! My family cannot possibly tackle these recent struggles on our own, so support is so, so welcome. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
A quick rundown of myself:
· Eagle Scout.
· Very driven student. Will be attending FSU’s Honors program, accepted into Georgia Tech (but not focused on engineering—sorry, Buzz!), and in my class’s top tenth.
· Music student and band nerd for life. Drum major of my high school’s successful marching band program.
Have a fantastic day,
Will
Organizer
Will Talley
Organizer
Fayetteville, GA
