HenryRose's Surgery and Recovery Fund

Hello generous people! My name is cade, and my friend HenryRose is in need of some community support. HenryRose is (finally!) getting a hysterectomy! This life-changing surgery is doubly medically necessary for HenryRose, as gender affirmation and treatment for endometriosis. HenryRose's primary care physician and gynecologist both recommend this treatment for HenryRose! This hysterectomy will remove HenryRose’s debilitating menstrual cycle and be a massive step towards genderqueer gender-goodness.

HenryRose and I met while working as theatre technicians about five years ago. Because "the show must go on" and there are no understudies for people who aren't actors, HenryRose often had to work while menstruating. Sometimes, this meant carrying HenryRose backstage because walking was physically impossible. Sometimes it meant relocating the light or sound board onto the floor, so that HenryRose could work (and cry) in the most comfortable position available. Sometimes it meant losing wages and risking unemployment to call out of work because HenryRose was at a 10/10 on the pain scale.

 

Over the past three months, HenryRose's uterus-induced limitations have skyrocketed. While this surgery isn't emergent, it is urgent. HenryRose's current body experience limits physical movement, not to mention physical labor—a fundamental component of HenryRose's line of work. Heading into this surgery makes for an exciting—and scary—season in life and health. HenryRose is scheduling surgery in April or May—just a couple of months from now. 

 

 

This GoFundMe asks you to help ensure that HenryRose is in a financially secure position to take the necessary time to recover from surgery as well as the major stressors that make the surgery essential. Just the initial recovery from a hysterectomy can take up to eight weeks.

 

At this time, our goal is to raise HenryRose $5,000. This goal covers expenses including:

Rent and utilities (approximately $850/month)

Food costs (roughly $500/month)

Post-surgery medical needs (follow-up appointments, wound care materials, physical comfort items, etc., approximately $1500)

Phone bill ($240)

 

HenryRose will put all otherwise unused funds towards getting new transportation. The cute scooter HenryRose used to get around on was stolen a few months ago.

 

We have not included surgery costs in our current goal. We are still working to understand how much of the surgery will be covered by HenryRose’s insurance. We will update this page and our goal when we have a better idea of that cost! So far, estimates range from $1,800-$8,500, with insurance.

 

A message directly from HenryRose! “Hello all! I am so touched that cade is putting this together on my behalf. When I realized my pain hadn’t abated since before Christmas and I had had a solid 2 months of daily menstrual pain, the cogs in cade’s brain started turning and they came to me with this plan. I had thankfully already been approved for the hysterectomy with my doctor’s full agreement that this would be the best course for me, However I am still finding it difficult to work my manual labor job. As someone who lives paycheck to paycheck this doesn’t make me feel encouraged that my body will have a speedy recovery allowing me to get back to work quickly. Having the finances and time to allow my body to heal would be a huge load off my back and mind. I appreciate you reading about my story and any assistance you are able to offer will go a long way.”

 

If you’ve gotten this far, keep reading for cute stories about HenryRose!

 

HenryRose and I found each other while working as theatrical electricians in Salt Lake City, where we had both landed to do some soul-searching. We knew right away we’d be friends - we both had blue hair! Plus, we had a similar snarky wit and a mutual love for light design as a creative passion. Since then, we have learned how to support and love each other as neighbors, as work colleagues, while briefly living together, through deep conflict and repair, and with thousands of miles between us—not to mention, through a pandemic. Without HenryRose, I would be a lesser person. It is a light in my life to be a recipient of HenryRose’s humanness.

Since HenryRose’s time in Salt Lake City, the quest of life has taken HenryRose on not one, but two cross-country moves. First to Kansas City, Missouri (unseated lands of the Kickapoo, Kaw/Kansa, Osage, and Očhéthi Šakówiƞ), and then again, just a few months ago, to Portland, Oregon (unseated lands of the Cowlitz, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Clackamas, and Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians). I’m so jealous—I have wanted to move to Portland for years! More reasons to visit when the pandemic eases up. Once in Oregon, HenryRose has found community and care unlike anywhere else. For the first time, medical practitioners support, curiously explore, and advocate for HenryRose’s medical needs. HenryRose is moving (right now!) into a safe and stable living situation, supported by a phenomenal boyfriend.

 

I am overjoyed that my friend is on the way towards a more liberated experience of life. I am humbled that HenryRose consented to my creating this crowdfunding resource to make surgery and recovery as worry-free as possible. My hope and dream is to gift my friend some time—time to rest and heal the body and soul. But time costs money, so I’m here asking for money to buy time. Thank you so much for donating to support HenryRose’s recovery and journey!