Funding Kelly G's Health Recovery

GO FUND ME CAMPAIGN - Requesting $33,333

Kelly Gallagher - Writer/Director/Producer/Health Advocate/Wellness Coach/Filmmaker, 5x cancer thriver, speaker, author, poet, paradigm shifter


MY STORY:
I like to think of myself as a superhero. ... like one of the X Men:) It's the delusion that keeps me motivated to succeed even when the outcomes are gloomy. My motto is UGOTTAWANNA and it keeps me focused on ascenscion tactics and moving forward even when I don't always feel like it. I am horrified to have you all see the condition of my leg. I reach out because without your help I may not get well. I am committed to healing and have committed my life to being of service bringing health information to the forefront whether I am popular for it or not. I am usually advocating for someone else and not myself. So here I go....this project is about me, Kelly G....

I'm a 5x cancer survivor/thriver powered by my 6th pacemaker, a new heart valve and a whole bunch of gratitude. They gave me a year to live 18 years ago and I'm still here but I am now dealing with the long term effects of surviving cancer and the long term debilitating effects of radiation and chemotherapy. I've had 78 radiation treatments, 14 months of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant, 100+ blood transfusions, 2 lung operations , and every alternative, adjunct, functional, complemenatary medicine I could get my hands on. 

WHY I NEED GO FUND ME CAMPAIGN:
Most recently, I have been challenged with severe lymphadema or swelling in my right leg. My right leg is twice the size of my left leg. It is painful and debilitating. Two weeks ago, I couldn't breathe. I had to go on prednisone(steroid), advair, albuterol, and anti-biotics because of the fluid backing up into my entire body and lungs taking down my respiratory system.

This began after I received my 6th pacemaker in October of 2014 . During the surgery a cathetar was inserted into my groin that damaged the lymph vessels causing advanced lymphadema. By December of 2014 my leg had doubled in size and I ended up in the hospital with my foot about to split open.

Consequently, I have been on a journey for the past 5 months looking for answers and solutions to this problem painful. So far there are not a lot of answers and if there are....they're expensive. Mainstream medicine says there is no cure just long term management. Integrative medicine says the same thing although they have some machines that can help the situation. They say it's a broken pump and when the pump in an engine breaks you generally need to replace it.  The problem is they don't know how to replace the pump in your leg. The lymph is not a well known area of the human body. I have been told that the management of lymphadema is critical because if the skin gets wounded it won't heal and the whole situation could escalate. My body already compensates for a injured immune system. An open wound for me could be devastating and life threatening.

There aren't many people who treat lymphadema. To deal with it effectively it is a lifelong, everyday management deal. Now, it's about finding the right team and place for treatment and getting all the supplies that are available. I want to do everything I can to get well. I want to find a way to cure this. I want to go take a class on lymphadema, learn how to take care of myself and possibly others that are living with this debilitating situation. There are treatments, equipment, compression stockings, wrapping, lymphatic drainage, lymphatic massage, dry skin brushing, elevation, and even a pump I can get once I know what I'm doing. Right now, I am a size 4 on one side and a 10 on the other. It's mind blowing. I hate to cry about vanity because so many others have much more tragic problems but I can't wear shoes, pants and am reminded of it everytime I try to leave the house. I am working really hard to keep myself in action and out of depression. I believe God has the Plan so I keep praying for patience and acceptance.

So yes, It has been a painful 5 months filled with detoxification and lessons. Right now I am asking for your support for my health.  It is painful for me to ask for help but I really need it. It's been hard for me to work because I can't be on my feet or my leg swells. Needless to say, I am frustrated. I am determined to turn this lemon into lemonade and hopefully blaze a new trail of truth and healing when it comes to lymphadema. I just ordered my new sexy compression stockings. 

THE TREATMENTS THAT I NEED:
I need to raise money so I can get the extensive treatment I need which includes daily manual lymphatic drainage therapy, leg wrapping, compression garments, lymphstar pro therapy and possibly surgery.

I am told I need to spend at least two months focused on wrapping my leg daily to reduce the swelling and get the leg as close to normal as possible so I can have a proper compression garment made. I found a lymphdema management class so I can learn how to take care of myself and others. ($995.00) I have found several treatment centers. The cost ranges from $135.00 to 250.00 per treatment with a minimum of 60 treatments recommended and a lifetime of treatements suggested. COST - ($8,100)-($15,000)I am considering pulling my airstream trailer to wherever I have to be so I can live and work while I get the appropriate advanced treatment.

I found a surgeon in Chicago who specializes in removing scar tissue caused by radiation like I have. He has directed me to get a lymphoscintigraphy test.  That will show whether I am a candidate for surgery. The scar tissue causes fluid to back up in the leg and abdomen and impacts breathing. The Doctor at the University of Chicago connects lymph to blood vessels bypassing the clogs. Initial visit $ 550. Surgery approximately $9,000- $15,000.

COST OF TREATMENTS THAT I WILL BE UNDERGOING:

1. LYMPHOSCINTIGRAPHY - Cost - TBD
This will hopefully be approved and covered by insurance.  It will reveal the level of scarring and the possiblility of re-directing lymph.  

2. LYMPHATIC CLASS IN Palm Beach - $995 + food/travel costs
Fly to Palm Beach for 5 days for special program teaching me how to take care of myself and wrap
my legs.

3. TREATMENT $12,000 + food/travel/expenses
Finding a clinic that can treat me with approximately 60 sessions. Researching clinics at USC in Los Angeles, Lymphadema Center in Santa Monica, Lymphatic
Center in Carlsbad.

4. LYMPHSTAR PRO $4500 - special test after undergoing the above to see the current
status of my leg.

5. CAMPSITE - living arrangements in my airstar trailer - $2000

6. TRAVEL-$2000

7. FOOD/BILLS - $2500

8. SURGERY - $9000 - if approved - Chicago operation - plus travel/expenses/recovery

9. MISCELLANEOUS $338

              $995
        $12000
           $4500
           $2000
           $2000
           $2500
           $9000
              $338
              -------
       $33,333

Thank you so much for reading all that.  And thank you all for your love, prayers and donations. I appreciate anything and everything you can do. I am committed to healing...

My insurance or lack of it does not cover this treatment.

I think my upcoming summer poetry tour is going to turn into the lyphadema solutions tour...

In deep appreciation and gratitude,

I LOVE YOU ALL...
Kelly G