Hey Yo! I'm finally getting top surgery!!
My name is Shesh, formerly known as Jessie (which feels so awkward to even spell out). I am a transgender man who currently lives in Portland, OR, but if you ask anyone who knows me well they'll tell you that I'm a wanderer. It's never been easy for me to call any one place home. I think it's more the communities I get involved in that feel more like home than any geographic location.
I've set up this page in hopes of having some help to cover my costs of living while I recover from top surgery (gender-affirming double mastectomy). My surgeon has told me that because the work I do with ecological restoration is pretty physical, I'll need to take four weeks off of work, with an additional two weeks of half days.
I love my job! Portland has these things called Bio Swales that filter out road debris, trash and pollutants from street run off. My job is to clean out the swales (Green Streets) and remove the various pollutants to keep them out of our fresh water systems. In addition to Green Streets we also get to plant trees and shrubs at various restoration sites. We also provide maintenance at restoration sites by cutting the Reed Canary Grass (this is a highly invasive grass species) back to allow the native plant species to flourish.
If you're not familiar with top surgery recovery, I can do my best to explain what I know.
I'll only be able to bend at my elbows.
I will not be able to move my arms away from my body or over my head. And I'll only be able to carry 2-5 lbs.
Basically, I'll be a T-rex.
While I have some paid time off saved up at work, this will not cover my entire recovery.
The money raised will help pay my portion of rent as I live with my very supportive, very lovely fiancé, Katie.
In addition to rent, I'll need to cover at least a portion of groceries, utilities and transportation costs. Although I usually ride the bus, I'll need to help with gas as I will be going in for follow up visits and have a gaggle of folks who have offered to be a member of the Shesh-Transportation-Club. Beyond that there is utilities and all the fun (insert drum roll here) medical dressings.
My surgery date is September 23rd, 2016. Ideally that is when I'd like to have collected most of the funds needed. Stressing over money is the last thing anyone wants to focus on while recovering from surgery.
Top surgery is something I've wanted for many years now. While I know some of you are still digesting the concept of trans identities, this is something I've known for most of my life.
Sometimes we're not in places that facilitate inner growth.
Sometimes we spent too many years in a holding pattern just trying to make it through each day.
I don't know how to quite explain the freedom that I'm anticipating top surgery will provide, and I know that having even a bit of what I know I will need for adequate healing time will only amplify that. It's the next best thing to air.
I am very appreciative of any donations period.
I am forever indebted and touched by your generosity. Thank you for reading this. Thank you for being involved in my life.