Help Brandi Heal: Emergency Medical Fund

Hi friends,

I’m reaching out during a really difficult time. After months of feeling “off” and pushing through unexplained symptoms, I ended up in the ER and was hospitalized for a week. Doctors discovered that my left ureter is blocked—it’s not a kidney stone or a tumor, but possibly a stricture or pressure from something external. Whatever the cause, it was serious enough to require emergency surgery to reroute my kidney function.

I now have a nephrostomy tube coming out of my back and a bag collecting output. This is how my kidney is draining for the foreseeable future. I’m facing more specialists, tests, and likely additional surgeries with long recovery times.

Right now, I can’t work. I bartend and serve, but my job offers no paid leave. I’m about to exhaust my final 14 hours of PTO, and I’ve already had to choose between paying rent and buying groceries. With tubes in my body, frequent medical emergencies, and needing to empty a nephrostomy bag every hour, returning to work just isn’t realistic.

On top of this, I’ve had COVID five times, live with celiac disease, and have no financial cushion to fall back on. I’m fighting hard to stay strong, but I need help to stay afloat while my body heals.

If you’re able to donate, I would be incredibly grateful. Every dollar will go toward covering rent, medical expenses, and basic living costs while I navigate this unexpected medical journey. If you can’t donate, sharing this page would mean the world.

Thank you for being in my corner.

With love and gratitude,