Help Aaron with Top Surgery
UPDATE 9.22.2024
I think I will be approved for my dream surgeon. However that would require longer travel than originally thought by staying locally. I decided to give it a shot, this is a big thing for me, why not at least try for my number 1. I am going to need 2 round trip flights and a 7 to 9 day stay in the San Francisco area. So again, any help would be awesome.
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Where do I even start? This has been 24 years living in my head and heart. And I am struggling with the words.
I am Aaron. I am 43 years old and I am finally planning to get gender affirming top surgery. And in the near future. I have been making appointments and meeting doctors and doing my research. I started planning this towards the beginning of the year, because I am terrified about what may happen on November 5 and after. The possibility of gender affirming care being taken away is quite a reality in the hands of a far right administration. I had to keep putting off this step in my life because, well, life kept tossing a curveball and I figured I could just do it later. Well, the possibility of there no longer being a later is real. And terrifying.
I started hormone replacement therapy 3 years ago. And the amount of peace that brought me was unfathomable. My thoughts matched my voice. I knew the face in the mirror, finally. The next step is top surgery, so I can look at myself in a mirror comfortably. So I can see myself in a photo.
I lost my amazing job earlier this year to circumstances beyond my control. My top surgery plans relied on me having this job. And then, because of that job, I had to have knee surgery on both knees. Both repairs of a meniscus root tear. The second one, we have just found out, has failed and needs to have another surgery. This is resulting in my ability to return to work not possible yet, and I am having issues surrounding workers comp that I am currently fighting (as my knees are a work related injury).
I do have an insurance plan that will cover my top surgery and all I have to do is meet the out of pocket for that. I also have other top surgery reated expenses that include a two night hotel stay surrounding my surgery. In addition to other home based needs surrounding my recovery time from both a third knee surgery as well as top surgery. A financial cushion to help us pay our bills and still have food in the fridge would be the peace of mind I need to make sure this really will happen this time.
I really don't want life to make this third knee surgery, and delay in a return to work, the curveball that derails my top surgery plans. Because I don't know what will happen in 2025. If I felt 100% confident that I would be able to push this off longer, I would. But the next 4 years could possibly remove my right to recieve this life saving surgery. And that is what it is. Life saving.
I am asking for financial help so I can sit confident that this will happen. So my anxiety about the possibility that this could be taken away from me, can be eased even a little. Every contribution and donation made is greatly appreciated. I know that times are tight. I am also in the process of selling things I am able to part with to help create this cushion.
If anyone makes it here that doesn't know me personally but finds the kindness to make a donation toward this, or even a share. Thank you for making me feel seen and heard.
I will keep everyone updated as I find out more.
Aaron