Help Kara Cover Medical and Living Expenses

Hello Community,

I recently received major abdominal surgery to remove a large (almost 5 lbs and 17 cm long!) ovarian cyst. Leading up to this surgery was a month and half of wild symptoms and many doctors visits, along with a trip to Urgent Care and the ER, which is where I finally received a preliminary diagnosis. From there, I met with gynecologists and surgeons to determine next steps and finally had surgery on March 25th. I stayed in the hospital for several nights and have a 6 week recovery ahead of me.

I've been so so grateful for the incredible out pouring of love and care from friends and family near and far! So many people have helped me with meals, chores, accompaniment to doctor's appointments, and after surgery recovery. I truly feel surrounded by community and hopeful that so much is possible when we come together to support one another.

So it is with a hopeful and grateful heart that I am reaching out again for help, this time to ask for some financial support during this surprising moment of illness and recovery. Over the last two months I have lost weeks of work as I dealt with symptoms, doctor's appointments, surgery, and recovery. Additionally, the road back to full energy, healing, and regular work days will be another month and half at least. I am a working class, self-employed, small business owner, with very little savings and not very good healthcare insurance (a plan through the ACA / Marketplace).

I am grateful for what I do have and the in-kind support of my mom who is here helping me for three weeks. Despite this, my medical bills that aren't covered by insurance (I have a $7000 out of pocket max that isn't covered by insurance, for which I can likely pay some of through a payment plan) mixed with lost weeks of work both before the surgery (where I usually secure contracts quarters in advance and plan for upcoming workshops) and now after surgery means that I haven't been able to generate the work I need for the upcoming few months and will be slower to generating and doing work during my recovery process.

The funds from this GoFundMe will go towards covering part of my out of pocket medical expenses, including holistic care, as well as living expenses in the coming months as I recover and get back on my feet.

Thank you in advance for any and all gifts you decide to give to support my recovery and life.

If you would prefer to contribute via Venmo, please send it to: @Kara-Bender-2