Community support for Hilary’s surgery recovery

Friends, dancers, word-lovers, music nerds, lemon and sorrel aficionados, wave riders, food fiends: our dear Hilary Grumman is embarking on a medical journey that will require at least six weeks of recovery.

Hilary consistently shows up for community with a depth of care, consistency and camaraderie that emerges from and rejuvenates her core values. In this moment of her own health emergency, it is our turn to show up for her.

There are many ways to support Hilary before, during and after she goes into surgery on Saturday June 7th:

Medical context:

Hilary first noticed a palpable mass in her abdomen in late summer 2024, which distended significantly in size and symptoms through fall. Because of insurance complications, she wasn’t able to get diagnosed (uterine fibroid tumor) until January 1st, 2025, after an urgent and terrifying visit to the ER. Since then, Hilary has been balancing exceptional patience in navigating our broken healthcare system to make incredibly difficult decisions around her body in the face of a literally growing and pressing matter.

We now finally know that:

Hilary has a laparoscopic myomectomy scheduled for Saturday, June 7th. She is working with a trusted specialist, out of UW Medicine. If you know Hilary, you know that she has done extensive and diligent research to find the best course of action, and the best collaborators, for this next step in her healing journey.

What we can offer:

Hilary’s whole world floats and rides on the sensory, community and intellectual thrill of moving her body in the company of dear friends through teaching dance and researching floorwork. It is also her only form of income. Recovery from surgery will require at least six weeks of complete rest. For several weeks, she is unable to activate her abdominal wall in even small or slow action. This means that she will be completely unable to work, teach or train for many weeks.

As members of her community, we can step forward to offer some relief for these six weeks of recovery.

We also know that Hilary is steadfast, diligent and detail-oriented, and strong in will, heart and body. She has recovered from immobilizing surgery in the past, and emerged healthier and more attentive and expansive than before. We know that she will find her way back to dancing, teaching, hiking, laughing, sharing meals with friends, supporting students, frolicking with family and more. And we also know that just having the feeling of her community cheering her on in this healing process will make the whole journey easier and full of love.

What we’re asking for: $3600

This covers basic living expenses to cover lost income during the weeks of mandated recovery.