Hi. I'm Blair, and I am here because I am in desperate need of help with increasing medical debt (about $11,000), recently compounded by the cost of emergency surgery for our little Gatsby, bringing it all to more than 16k.

My particular medical history includes reoccurring dermoid cysts growing on my ovaries. In 2014, one cyst was so large that it destroyed the ovary completely, and surgery was much more complicated. In 2020, pain and other symptoms led me to get checked again, which is when another cyst was found on my other ovary. It was then that I had to undergo another crucial ovarian cystectomy. My hospital stay was supposed to be overnight however, the procedure did not go as planned which kept me in the hospital for nearly a week. Sadly, my first thoughts and feelings were about what this surgery was going to cost at that point, and anxiety about if and when I'd be able to pay it off.

The one thing that has always gotten my spirits up, especially during my recovery and the pandemic, is this little angel, Gatsby.

Gatsby is truly one-of-a-kind and really just makes life better. He is a gentleman, possibly a genius, a comedian, a friend, a peacemaker, a traveler, a beach lover, an explorer, and most impressively, a little athlete.

Unfortunately, a couple of weeks ago after a routine day out and years of perfect condition, he got out of his bed in the evening in incredible pain and couldn’t hold himself up. X-rays revealed a torn ACL which is something that could only be fixed with invasive and expensive surgery. Because physical activity is such a huge part of his day-to-day, the effects of limited activity due to injury have been immediate and heartbreaking. He is not just restless and in pain, but sad and low in spirit.

The total cost of surgery is $5,153.46. The initial bill was paid through Scratchpay which is a vet-care financing service that makes funds available to the vet directly (Lake Balboa Veterinary Care in my case) and then has to be paid off bi-weekly. What adds to this challenge is while I use this service regularly, so far I haven't been charged interest. This time, the loan is much higher and must be paid within 6 months to avoid 26.9% interest charges, making this even more nervewracking, and harder to manage. (No interest deadline is Sept. 1, 2023). His post-op X-rays, 8 weeks from now, will be another $365 and are not accounted for in the above surgery cost.

As for my own medical debt, the balance on my cystectomy which is now in collections is $6,142.25. An emergency room visit from 2017 (originally $11,822.03) is currently $3,097.46 and gaining 10% interest a day in collections. Plus a more recent emergency room visit that could not be covered by insurance for $1,915.77, I've become quite overwhelmed.

All funds raised will go toward Gatsby’s surgery and my debt. Any donation that can be made to help us out would be deeply, deeply appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read our story, and God bless.

*Note: To avoid fees on your donation, I accept and encourage donations through Zelle as well via my phone number (818) [phone redacted].

With Love & Gratitude,

Blair & Gatsby