Round 2: August’s Surgery Recovery Fund

UPDATE: 08/11/25

After stabilizing from my wrist surgery in January, I was feeling extremely confident about the outlook of my health. Though I knew I was due for another elbow replacement in the future, I was finally feeling more present and optimistic - just generally in less pain.

Around May, I noticed my pain start to creep back. So much else came up with my health and I was struggling to stay on top of everything. On July 2nd, my Doctor sent a request to my insurance for MRI imaging of my wrist. After jumping through some hoops, I was finally able to get the imaging done on August 1st.

I reviewed the MRI results with my doctor last Wednesday, the 5th. He broke the news that my wrist was infected, and that I’d have to get an emergency surgery the following day.

I had 23 hours to prepare. It was awful. I’ve had plenty of procedures done, but never with such short notice. I didn’t even know how to process the news. Everything was so slow moving and treated like a non-issue until it was all so intensely real.

The surgery went fine, and I got discharged last night, August 10th. One of my bones is infected and I’m still waiting for test results to find out what virus or disease even caused the infection. My right arm is in a splint, and I had to get a PICC line installed in my left arm so that I can receive antibiotic infusions twice a day at home for the next 5 weeks.

It feels like shit. My right arm is still hardly usable and now in a splint. My dominant arm (left) is now very restricted by needing to keep my PICC line safe and in place. I’m not estranged to the feeling of restriction around ability or needing help, but it’s feeling more intense than ever.

My feelings of exhaustion are so intense. I was struggling to talk about it before but I can’t keep it contained. I’ve missed so much work, canceled so many plans, just totally retreated because of how much pain I was in before I even went into surgery last week. Now I’m on the other side now trying to figure out everything on the fly.

The financial stress is devastating. I can’t work my day-job, I can’t do any design-work, any of the things I rely on to get my basic needs met for the next 6 weeks and likely beyond. I was already behind beforehand. I don’t qualify for paid leave from my job and I can’t get paid leave from WA state programs because of my procedure from earlier this year.

Anything is incredibly appreciated. Even if you can’t contribute funds, I know that so many of you reading this care, and that means so much to me. Despite the uncertainty, despite the hardships, I’m grateful.

Peace and love ❤️

August

Hi all - on January 2nd I will be getting surgery on my right wrist and arm. The surgery will be a fusion of several joints in my wrist, as well as a partial excision of a bone in my arm. The goal is to correct some of the deformation in my wrist and alleviate some of the intense arthritic pain that I’ve been experiencing. This all stems from an accident that happened when I was 12 but has become extreme since the end of the summer.

I can speak from experience when I say that surgery recovery is intense, exhausting, and expensive.

While difficult to ask for help, as seasonal worker I’ve already missed 3 weeks of pay this winter - Missing more work because of this surgery will make it even harder for me to stabilize financially. While PFML will cover some of my lost wages, it won’t cover all of the additional costs that surround recovery.

Any help is appreciated - thank you so much.

Venmo: @physique

Cashapp: $DISBONESCRASHER