Hey everyone! Thanks for reading this in advance. It took some encouragement for me to get to the point of asking for help, but we need it!
In October, Stephanie had her first back surgery. By mid-December she recovered and was back to work until mid-March. She was doing beyond great and all of the sudden another disc bulged on the opposite side of the same disc she had surgery on, and she has been out of work since. Considerable pain has returned and radiates through the abdomen, down her legs, etc…She now needs a lumbar back fusion and is scheduled for surgery on June 9th. That’s roughly 10 weeks of no income prior to surgery with another 8-10 weeks after.
Stephanie’s surgery is going to be upwards of $55,000…and while we believe at least $40,000 will be covered, we aren’t sure about the rest. In the meanwhile, it’s difficult to bring home much income while trying to keep the business going at the same time.
With our financial burden already present, we faced every pet owner’s worst fear: watching their beloved pet nearly die. In one weekend, Piper went from feeling blah to crisis mode. She was diagnosed with Addison’s Disease (in Addisonian crisis) on April 10th. That was a quick $3,500+ in a week…for vet, Hospital overnight, and numerous labs
Addison’s is a hormonal disorder that requires lifelong daily and monthly treatment at ($250/mo), close monitoring, and ongoing veterinary care. An Addisonian crisis is a sudden, life-threatening emergency caused by the body not producing the hormones it needs to maintain hydration, blood pressure, and proper electrolyte balance. If she doesn’t get her monthly shot, she can digress into crisis mode.
Like so many families, we were not prepared for the emotional and financial weight of an emergency diagnosis like this. The cost of Piper’s initial care is overwhelming and as we get to a maintenance stage, it will be costly, but more manageable.
This GoFundMe has been created to help us navigate this difficult time. Any relief we get will help us reduce the financial strain we’re under. We appreciate every donation, no matter the amount!
Please share our story, with our gratitude! Also: Prayers, kindness, and support mean more than words can say as we navigate this rough patch, even if you’re unable to donate.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everyone who has already offered prayers, encouragement, grocery gift cards, and financial relief. Lots of love to you all!
Matty & Stephanie