Hi everyone,

What was supposed to be a routine, minimally invasive hysterectomy turned into a major emergency surgery, and now my wife, Mary, is facing a long recovery and overwhelming medical bills.

For over a year, Mary had been dealing with pelvic and abdominal pain. At first, doctors thought it was a small hernia, nothing serious. But as time passed, her pain worsened and a visible mass grew. After more imaging and second opinions, they discovered a large uterine fibroid about the size of a softball. The only safe option was a total hysterectomy, meaning removal of her uterus, cervix, and fallopian tubes.

The plan was a laparoscopic procedure with a same-day discharge. But during surgery on August 28th, her surgeon had to pivot to a much more invasive approach since the mass had grown even more so since the last imaging, and left Mary with a 6-inch abdominal incision and a much longer, more painful recovery. She also had to stay in the hospital for two nights, which we hadn't anticipated or budgeted for.

As a result, Mary will be out of work for at least 8 weeks, and while we tried to prepare financially, the costs are now far beyond what we expected.

We were originally quoted an out-of-pocket estimate of $1,400 based on a minimally invasive outpatient procedure and we saved up to cover that amount, plus a few weeks of living expenses. But due to the change in surgery type and the unplanned hospital stay, we're now anticipating costs nearly 10x higher.

We haven’t received the final bill yet as the hospital is still processing the claim and working with our insurance, and they told us it could take up to a month. But based on the significant changes and how our insurance works with our deductible, we’re bracing for a much higher financial cost. We decided to launch this fundraiser now because we don’t want to be blindsided when the bill arrives, especially knowing how quickly these expenses can become unmanageable.

In addition to medical bills, we’re also facing costs for:

• Recovery equipment and supplies

• Travel expenses to and from Reno for follow-up appointments

• Regular bills and living expenses while Mary is unable to work

For those that know Mary and I, you know that we’re both incredibly stubborn and hate asking for help; we always find a way to figure things out on our own so that we don’t have to ask for anything. On top of this, I’m a full-time student, and the financial stress is making it even harder to focus on taking care of her during recovery. The stress of her recovery, lost wages, and financial uncertainty is a lot to carry… so we’re humbly asking for help to lighten the load.

If you’ve been to the Winnemucca Walmart, chances are Mary has brightened your day. She's the one who remembers your name, your favorite drink, and always asks how you’re doing. She's so strong, smart, sweet, and a little sassy; she’s my favorite little firecracker who brings warmth and humor to even the toughest days.

Mary never hesitates to show up for others, and now, I’m hoping people will show up for her.

If you're in a position to give, every single dollar helps, truly. No amount is too small. And if you can't donate financially, sharing this page or sending a kind word means the world to us.

We've managed to save about $3,000, but we still need help bridging the gap created by the unexpected change in surgery and extended hospital care.

Thank you for reading, supporting, and keeping Mary in your thoughts during this time. We’re incredibly grateful for your love, kindness, and generosity.

With gratitude and love,

Victoria