Hello, my name is Fléchette, a 24-year-old transwoman living in NSW, Australia and recently I have been struggling with a lot of anxiety over medical problems I have not been able to seek help for due to poverty.

My medical issues have recently been numerous and unfortunately traumatic and include suspected internal bleeding and the development of a lump in my throat and neck that makes it incredibly painful for me to swallow food and drink, and which has also caused changes to my voice contributing to my dysphoria alongside the constant pain. Due to these issues Doctors want me to get a double scope (endoscopy and colonoscopy), fearing the return of the cancer I’ve already had to fight off twice between 16 and 18. In the past I had my families insurance to help me get these treatments, but I am no longer covered by their insurance, being too old, or supported for various which are beyond the scope of this explanation, but suffice to say I am trans and living away from my family. Without my family’s insurance or any financial support beyond that of my girlfriend, who herself works a minimum wage job, I am forced to wait 7 months to see a gastro doctor who could give me a double scope, and God knows how long I’ll have to wait for the surgeries this procedure will reveal I need. Thinking about the 7 months wait on top of all of that, its frankly terrifying.

The cancer I likely have, it’s probably the lump in my neck and throat, is not going to wait for these tests and it’s not going to care about the waiting lists, and I fear growing weaker and weaker as it grows stronger and the longer it left the more likely it’s going to be that I lose my ability to talk. I’m at a point of desperation, I am constantly in pain and anxious to the point of daily panic attacks and need help. I can't do this for another year, any assistance towards paying helping me pay for these procedures helps a lot. I cannot continue to live without knowing what if my cancer is resurfaced or not, and beyond the peace of mind that has become so vital to my mental health, I fear that time could be of the essence.