Help Riana Heal: Overcoming Surgery and Cardiac Arrest

Hi, my name is Riana, but many of you know me as Riri or Ri.

On December 2nd, my life changed forever. A few months prior, I was diagnosed with a tumor on my pancreas. I was terrified and delayed surgery while trying to save up money from work, but I could only earn so much.

Eventually, I had to undergo a Whipple procedure — a complex, 16-hour surgery. I spent 3 to 4 months in the ICU recovering and was later moved to a regular hospital room. Unfortunately, my condition worsened — I went into cardiac arrest and have since been placed on dialysis.

Right now, I can’t walk, eat, or do any physical activity without my heart racing. It’s been the most terrifying and painful experience of my life.

On April 28th, I was finally told I could go home. I was hopeful. But within three weeks, I was back in the hospital due to complications my body is still fighting through.

My mother, who is 65 years old and recovering from a shoulder injury, is doing her best to care for my 6-year-old son during all of this. I can’t work for at least a year, as my doctors have advised, and I’ve exhausted every avenue — from cash assistance to social security benefits — with no success.

I’m writing this with a heavy heart and a lot of hesitation. I don’t want anyone to think I’m desperate — but I am scared. I’m doing everything I can to stay strong, but I need help.

This GoFundMe is to help cover medical bills and living expenses while I continue to fight for my health and be there for my son.

Any donation, no matter how small, means the world to me. From the bottom of my heart — thank you.

hey everyone. Thanks for everyone that’s supported me thru this horrible and tough time already.

unfortunately my condition is getting worse and now I have an inflamed pancreas after surgery which the doctors are now telling me I won’t be able to work for a year. Social security hasn’t approved me nor has any food stamps been givin yet. Hopefully sooner than later I will be approved for social benefits of some sort. But for now. Bills. School stuff for my kid. Food. Is all needed and I have no idea what else to do. Thankyou for all the support seriously.