Put Your Money Where Your Love is -Adam Recovery

I am starting this fundraiser for my dear friend, brother from another mother, road warrior, ride or die homie, Adam. He needs your help to recover fully and get back to spreading love and beauty with his music.

Here's his story:

Hello family and friends far and wide. My story will have two parts. The short version and the long version.

The Short Version:

After a trip to Florida, I was diagnosed with a perirectal abscess. It took a total of 3 ER visits and 2 emergency surgeries to determine that I actually have a fistula... Basically the Godzilla of abscesses which cannot heal on its own. Thus, I had surgery with a colorectal surgeon on February 17th, and have another on March 24th. There’s still a good chance that I will require more surgeries before I am 100%, but I have to take it one at a time. I already have crippling debt from bills for hospital stays, ER visits, tests, doctor visits and especially the surgeries.

I'm setting a goal of $11,000 to recover from my medical bill debt, and I will donate to the Fistula Foundation (https://fistulafoundation.org) if additional money is left. The Fistula Foundation helps many people, and particularly women in underdeveloped countries where they do not have access to medical care needed to recover from a fistula. This results in many preventable and painful deaths.

I feel it's my duty to raise awareness and help where I can. I know times are hard for everyone, and I know most of us may not have the change to spare. Please know that every dollar helps, and if you can find a way to donate, I will be forever grateful that you not only helped me, but also those who don't have the medical care. Thank you so much in advance!

The Long Version:

My wife, Sarah, and I took a trip to Florida at the end of July 2021 to pay our respects to her beloved grandmother Martha. I developed a terrible pain in my perineum. I had felt some discomfort for a while, but like many people, I was embarrassed to talk about it with my doctor. I had hoped that it would go away on its own. After sitting on many airplane seats, church pews, boat benches, airplane benches, restaurant chairs and stools, the pain became unbearable. Sarah and I were able to make it back to Denver despite several flight cancellations, reroutes and a total fiasco trying to find lodging and flights. By the time we were driving home from the airport, the pain was the most intense pain I had ever experienced. But alas, we made it out of Florida right before a huge COVID surge. I'll call that a win.

I finally went to the ER where a CT scan revealed a kiwi sized abscess. They put me under, poked a hole in it to drain the infection and sent me on my way. A week later, the pain was even twice as bad as I was bawling my eyes out. I also had a fever, which meant the infection was not all gone. I went back to the ER where a different surgeon admitted that the first surgery was not done properly and assured me they would fix the problem. The second surgeon did a better job, and I was home after a few days in the hospital. During all of this, I also had to navigate the very confusing and complex process of processing my own disability and FMLA claims. The amount of pain was unbearable for weeks, which required pain management.

A few weeks later, right around my birthday in September, I had very acute pain and I started bleeding profusely from my wound, which had never happened before. So, I went back to the ER. Fortunately, my neighbor (THANK YOU MICHAEL!) was home and was able to drop me off at the ER. I spent 3 more nights in the ER while they stabilized my condition, and they determined that I didn't need another surgery. They brought in an amazing wound care team to check the wound periodically and allow the abscess to continue to drain.

This means that since August, I have had to wear mesh underwear. The kind women wear after giving birth, to keep an abdominal pad secured to the wound. These are the kind of bandages you see in the movies when someone gets a gunshot wound. These are not only uncomfortable but very inconvenient.

After several follow up appointments with my surgeon with no progress, they finally ordered an MRI (WHY THEY DIDN'T DO ONE INITIALLY IS BEYOND ME!!!). The MRI revealed that the abscess became a fistula, which can be a chronic condition if it's not corrected the right way. Meaning it will never heal and only continue to get worse.

I'm sharing my story for a few reasons:

1. The amount of medical bills that are piling up.

2. The debt that I've racked up from lost wages. My disability only pays my full salary for 60 days, so after that I am making much less than I need to make rent and bills.

3. The thought of declaring bankruptcy over this is devastating and stressful, which is obviously not conducive to healing.

4. I want to encourage people to stop putting off the discomfort they are feeling because they are embarrassed, afraid of doctors, etc. My doctor, surgeons, specialists, and nurses have literally heard and seen it all. My concerns about talking to my doctor about my poop, pee, butt, genitals, are all gone. It's important that we all get the medical treatment we need before it becomes a bigger problem.

5. I want to raise awareness of fistulas as I stated above in the "Short Version." They can happen to anyone. In addition, I would like any leftover money to go to the Fistula Foundation (https://fistulafoundation.org)

6. This could happen to anybody.

7. Again, Go see your doctor frequently, be honest, and take care of yourself!

I know that I'm overweight and generally not the healthiest person. I have had Hashimoto’s disease for over a decade, so that doesn't help. Hashimoto’s (also known as hypothyroidism) is an autoimmune disorder that causes weight gain, depression, fatigue, and much more. I take care of it by taking daily medication and working with my doctor. That being said, I still have work to do regarding my own wellness but am committed to the journey. Since making my surgeries known on social media, a lot of people have reached out to me saying that they have been through the exact same thing, and most of them are people I would consider healthy: The often hidden, silent and embarrassing condition... The Anal Fistula. Once I have this behind me, I am going to work hard to make healthier choices. Most importantly, I really want my life back, and get back to playing music!!!

With all of this said, I'm needing to ask for financial help. I know times are tough for all of us. I would be forever grateful and appreciate a donation of any dollar amount you feel comfortable with. Once I get caught up on my medical bills and ease up the debt I've incurred due to this unfortunate situation, I will make a donation to the Fistula Foundation in the name of everyone who has helped me reach my goal!!! Bottom line: I love you all regardless if you can financially help or not. And please... Take better care of yourselves than I have. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST BIG THANKS TO THESE FINE FOLKS WHO HAVE HELPED SO FAR:

Erin and Hunter Shumaker for putting this together, bringing me supplies when I got COVID, and for overall always having my back and being such great supporters and friends.

Our neighbors Michael and René for mowing our grass, shoveling our sidewalk during the snow, and putting up with these stressed-out neighbors.

Erin and Justin, Jody and Charles, Vanessa, and Sarah Jeffords for donating food, time, medical supplies etc.

My Mom, My brother Scott and sister-in-law Lori and the rest of my family back home for all the emotional and financial support.

Mary Pat for bringing to virtually all of my doctor’s appointments and bringing cookies and stuff.

AND MOST OF ALL: Sarah, my wonderful and beautiful wife! This has been the most trying time of our marriage. Although some days seem just too much to handle, she has been my ultimate supporter, caretaker, and shoulder to cry on. I can't say enough about how much I love you and appreciate you. I'll push to be a better version of myself because that's what you deserve. I LOVE YOU A MILLION TIMES PER SECOND!!!

I know I may be leaving folks out, but anyone that has reached out, offered to help, and offered support and advice... THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Love and Gratitude,

Tarzo