Hi, my name is Nikki and this past year has been one of the hardest of my life. My husband unexpectedly left, and in the aftermath, I faced the most serious health crisis I have ever been through.
After months of severe, recurring diverticulitis infections — a dangerous bacterial infection in the intestines — that never fully resolved, I underwent a sigmoid colectomy, a major surgery to remove a portion of my intestines. The road to that surgery was brutal: multiple hospitalizations, procedures, and a prolonged smoldering infection that left my body exhausted and in pain. I am now in a slow and difficult recovery, while also managing my chronic undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) and a neck injury — conditions that require consistent, ongoing care. The medical bills have piled up fast, and they are not stopping.
Through every hard day, my three cats — Kirby, Merlin, and Nutmeg — have been my rocks. They have kept me laughing, kept me present, and made every hard day worth getting through.
My eldest, Kirby, is a senior Maine Coon who was diagnosed with feline diabetes just one month before my surgery. I found myself suddenly navigating two major medical crises at once — one for each of us. He needs daily insulin injections, syringes, a prescription diet, glucose monitoring equipment, and veterinary visits with blood work every 15–90 days to stay stable and comfortable. Merlin and Nutmeg are thankfully healthy and thriving — but Kirby needs extra support right now, just as I do.
I am raising $25,000 to help cover:
- Outstanding medical bills from multiple hospitalizations for diverticulitis
- Costs related to my sigmoid colectomy surgery and ongoing recovery
- Continued treatment for UCTD and my neck injury
- Kirby's daily insulin, syringes, and prescription food
- Kirby's glucose monitoring equipment, follow-up vet visits, and blood work
I have never asked for assistance like this before, but I know how important it is to ask for help when we need it most. I spend my days working for a nonprofit serving people living with mental illness — it is work I love deeply, even if it doesn't come with a lot of financial freedom. Going from two incomes to one, while facing some of the biggest medical bills of my life, has been a reality I am still adjusting to, and I humbly ask for any donation you can make.
I also want to say: I know many of us are stretched thin right now. If you are too, please don't feel any pressure — a share means just as much as a donation, and I mean that sincerely.
Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!
Organizer
