Hey everyone!

This is something I haven’t been very open about, but as some of you know, I've been on an extensive health journey this year. After successfully navigating and recovering from a preventative cancer procedure in May, two months later the truly unexpected happened.

On the morning of July 30th, I was rushed to the ER with excruciating abdominal pain. After an exhausting day of labs, imaging, and fighting to get my pain under control, we discovered I was suffering from a rare condition called an ovarian torsion. Unbeknownst to me, a massive cyst the size of a melon had grown on my left ovary. The size and weight of the mass became so immense that it completely twisted my ovary, cutting off blood supply and killing the tissue. My ovary was dying, and because of the sheer volume of the cyst, the risk of rupture and going into sepsis was high.

Emergency surgery, which is protocol for an ovarian torsion, ended up being delayed until the following morning. Then, just as suddenly as I was admitted, they abruptly discharged me. The surgery team, having successfully managed my pain through the night, felt there were too many risks to perform the procedure at their hospital. So, with much confusion and despair, they discharged me from their care as a high rupture risk and referred me to a reproductive specialist.

Unfortunately, the reproductive specialist wasn't available to operate until September 23, two whole months after being turned away from an emergency operation.

Even more unfortunately, after coping for four weeks with heavy restrictions, fear of rupture, and working every day in a constant state of pain, I was rushed back to the emergency room on August 27th. Having never untwisted itself from the first torsion, the weight of the giant cyst had yet again become too much for my ovary, and it ended up twisting an agonizing second time; this time mangling my left fallopian tube along with it. The pain was harrowing. Because of the severity of the twist, there was little hope that my ovary could be saved. My doctor explained that ovarian torsions are rare in themselves (only affecting 1 in 100,000 women), but a double twisted torsion is so extraordinarily rare that the outcome of the operation would be wildly unpredictable.

My specialist performed the emergency surgery the following morning on August 28th. After more than 6 hours, my surgical team was able to laparoscopically remove the massive 22cm cyst, untangle my ovary and fallopian tube from what they called a ‘disastrous’ knot, and even save a miraculous 80% of my left ovary. But not without complications. After three days of recovering in the hospital, I found myself back in the OR for severe internal bleeding, where 20% of my overall blood supply had pooled into my abdomen. This was another 3 hour surgery. In total, I spent 6 days in the hospital, underwent two blood transfusions, an intravenous iron infusion, and two massive surgeries.

As you can imagine, this ordeal has been emotionally, physically, and financially overwhelming. While my heart is focused on recovery, I’m facing the heavy burden of not being able to work during this time. I do not have health insurance, meaning the financial burden of this unexpected medical crisis is entirely on me. Even after working with multiple financial aid departments, the out-of-pocket costs for two emergency room visits, two extensive surgeries, hospital stays, anesthesia, medications, and crucial follow-up care, are absolutely crushing.

I am out of work for 6 weeks while I heal. If you know me, you know I work hard and care deeply for others, rarely asking for help. But this time I am humbly asking. If you’re able to contribute anything to support my recovery, to help with bills, expenses, and ease just a little of the financial stress, it would mean the world to me. Even if you can't donate, just sharing this fundraiser to reach a larger audience is a massive help, and I couldn't be more grateful.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your love, support, and prayers. I appreciate every donation, every message, and every kind thought more than words can say.

With love and gratitude,

Heather