Nico's lung removal recovery fund
Donation protected
Hi friends,
In April of this year I had a month long respiratory infection and an alarming ambulance ride to the ER. After a few months of many doctor's visits with specialists from pulmonologists to thoracic surgeons, one particularly stressful meeting with a team of three oncologists, and an onslaught of lung function testing and imaging, I was diagnosed with a congenital pulmonary malformation. The lower right lobe of my lung is full of cysts and lesions. This is the likely cause of my lifelong recurrent infections, coughing, respiratory difficulty, and puts me at an even greater risk for developing lung cancer. I was told the best course of treatment is a lobectomy of the lower lobe of my right lung. The pictures included are of my actual lungs and the large dark spot taking up most of my right lung (your left, my right lol) is the nonfunctioning cystic/lesion mass. That is what's going to be removed, and if you're thinking "But isn't that nearly half of the lungs?" Yeah. It is.
The lobectomy surgery, scheduled for September 30th, involves breaking two ribs and making a large incision through which to extract the damaged tissue. With my insurance from work, most of the surgery cost should be covered (thankfully! Hopefully!!!!) and with all the tests and appointments earlier this year, I've met the unconscionably high deductible (fuck you America). With that said, recovering from major surgery like this will keep me out of work for three months. My job/insurance doesn't offer anything so helpful as paid medical leave and WA state has a program to offer some relief but it doesn't start until next year, too late for me. I'll be in the hospital for about a week, with the rest spent at home. I'm incredibly lucky that I have a partner willing to try and take on my full time post hospital care. I'm going to be pretty useless for the first 6 weeks; I won't be able to lift anything heavier than a milk jug or lift my arm above shoulder height. Faran is a true angel tackling caring for our small family, while going to school, working, and trying to survive themself.
That's where you come in! I am asking for help to cover my basic living costs while I recover from surgery and am unable to work. You know, things like rent and food and whatever horrible surprises my insurance company has in store for me. I set the goal at $3,000 because that's slightly more than my portion of the rent and I had to choose a number. How much is it okay to ask people for? How much will I end up needing? Do I deserve help? I don't know the answers to these things, but if you can give anything at all I would appreciate it endlessly.
I can write poems or draw pictures for anyone that donates!
If you can't give money that's okay! We're all broke! But I'm looking at spending three very boring painful months trapped in my home and would welcome a phone call, a letter, a quick text, or even a particularly difficult riddle.
We will post any updates here.
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Nico
In April of this year I had a month long respiratory infection and an alarming ambulance ride to the ER. After a few months of many doctor's visits with specialists from pulmonologists to thoracic surgeons, one particularly stressful meeting with a team of three oncologists, and an onslaught of lung function testing and imaging, I was diagnosed with a congenital pulmonary malformation. The lower right lobe of my lung is full of cysts and lesions. This is the likely cause of my lifelong recurrent infections, coughing, respiratory difficulty, and puts me at an even greater risk for developing lung cancer. I was told the best course of treatment is a lobectomy of the lower lobe of my right lung. The pictures included are of my actual lungs and the large dark spot taking up most of my right lung (your left, my right lol) is the nonfunctioning cystic/lesion mass. That is what's going to be removed, and if you're thinking "But isn't that nearly half of the lungs?" Yeah. It is.
The lobectomy surgery, scheduled for September 30th, involves breaking two ribs and making a large incision through which to extract the damaged tissue. With my insurance from work, most of the surgery cost should be covered (thankfully! Hopefully!!!!) and with all the tests and appointments earlier this year, I've met the unconscionably high deductible (fuck you America). With that said, recovering from major surgery like this will keep me out of work for three months. My job/insurance doesn't offer anything so helpful as paid medical leave and WA state has a program to offer some relief but it doesn't start until next year, too late for me. I'll be in the hospital for about a week, with the rest spent at home. I'm incredibly lucky that I have a partner willing to try and take on my full time post hospital care. I'm going to be pretty useless for the first 6 weeks; I won't be able to lift anything heavier than a milk jug or lift my arm above shoulder height. Faran is a true angel tackling caring for our small family, while going to school, working, and trying to survive themself.
That's where you come in! I am asking for help to cover my basic living costs while I recover from surgery and am unable to work. You know, things like rent and food and whatever horrible surprises my insurance company has in store for me. I set the goal at $3,000 because that's slightly more than my portion of the rent and I had to choose a number. How much is it okay to ask people for? How much will I end up needing? Do I deserve help? I don't know the answers to these things, but if you can give anything at all I would appreciate it endlessly.
I can write poems or draw pictures for anyone that donates!
If you can't give money that's okay! We're all broke! But I'm looking at spending three very boring painful months trapped in my home and would welcome a phone call, a letter, a quick text, or even a particularly difficult riddle.
We will post any updates here.
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Nico
Organizer
Nico Guzman
Organizer
Seattle, WA