After experiencing intense pain out of nowhere recently, I decided to check in with my doctor this past Thursday, 2/26. What started as a check up turned into learning that I need to have emergency surgery. The official diagnosis is symptomatic cholelithiasis and cholestatic hepatitis.

The surgery will be scheduled for some time this coming week as I’m dangerously close to infection. Obviously this is all happening very quickly which is already stressful, but it also didn’t give us any chance at saving up for the surgery or all the accompanying expenses.

Between the additional labs, the abdominal ultrasound, and the surgery itself, things are adding up very quickly. Not to mention, as an independent contractor, I don’t have any sick time - if I don’t work, I don’t get paid. Period. After being laid off from a job I LOVE back in August, I’ve been fortunate to find bits of work here and there, but I am still missing out on the benefits that a steady, “regular” job provides (insurance, PTO, etc).

I am needing assistance with medical bills, regular bills and expenses, food, etc while I am unable to work. Any little bit helps tremendously and is appreciated more than you’ll ever know.