Beloved hearts, friends, and visitors,

My name is Serena.

For more than a year now, my husband Gabriel and I have been living inside continual instability in Istanbul while trying to survive my worsening physical condition and somehow reach the possibility of surgery and recovery.

Before March 2025, we were living in temporary accommodation supported through a family connection. When that support unexpectedly ended, we suddenly found ourselves without stable housing or financial security while already facing serious medical challenges.

At that time, I had already been diagnosed as urgently needing a hip replacement. The pain was difficult then, but still somewhat manageable. Because of financial hardship and lack of support, we were unable to proceed with surgery.

Over time, through constant movement between temporary places, changing beds, carrying uncertainty, stress, survival conditions, and the physical strain of instability itself, my condition has deteriorated dramatically.

My hip is now bone against bone.

The grinding and collapse within the joint are affecting the rest of my body. The pain has spread beyond my hip and into my entire system through prolonged inflammation, pressure, exhaustion, and lack of recovery. My posture has shifted, one leg now feels shorter than the other, and my mobility has severely declined.

At this point, I walk only a few painful steps with two canes and otherwise rely mainly on a wheelchair everywhere we go.

I cannot stand or sit for long periods. Even basic daily actions such as showering, dressing, or using the bathroom have become extremely difficult. Recently, after moving again between hotels, I broke down crying while simply trying to stand in the shower and wash myself.

Gabriel now helps care for me physically each day because many movements have become too difficult for me to manage alone.

The constant pain is also worsening my blood pressure and placing increasing strain on my body overall. I do not take pain medication, and for a long time I have tried to endure this naturally, but we have now reached a point where surgery can no longer be postponed.

Originally, our hope was to somehow return to the UK, my homeland, for treatment and recovery. That was the original purpose behind beginning this fundraiser. But the necessary support did not arrive in time, and my condition has continued deteriorating while we tried to survive day by day.

One painful reality we did not fully explain before is that much of the support we have received over this past year has gone immediately toward survival itself temporary accommodation, transportation, food, wheelchairs, taxis, and simply trying to keep me safe while my condition worsened.

Because we were living in temporary instability, it became almost impossible to slowly save toward surgery while simultaneously trying to survive.

Now we can no longer wait.

After extensive research and medical inquiries in Istanbul, we understand that the best path forward may require surgery with one of the top specialists available for my condition, together with proper hospital care, imaging, examinations, rehabilitation, recovery support, and safe accommodation afterward.

Due to the complexity of my condition, my weight, blood pressure concerns, prolonged deterioration, and the possibility of complications or extended recovery, we now estimate the realistic overall cost may reach approximately £65,000–£75,000 altogether.

Financial Breakdown

Target Goal: £75,000

• Hip replacement surgery & specialist surgeon: approximately £35,000–£45,000

• Pre-operative tests, imaging, scans, examinations & hospital-related costs: approximately £7,000

• Post-operative rehabilitation, physiotherapy & follow-up medical care: approximately £8,000

• Safe furnished recovery accommodation in Istanbul:

approximately £3,000–£4,000 per month

(minimum 3–4 months estimated depending on recovery)

• Basic living costs, transportation to appointments, accessibility needs & recovery support during rehabilitation:

approximately £10,000

This fundraiser is no longer simply about surgery.

It is about giving my body a real chance to recover after more than a year of deterioration, instability, and survival conditions that have now brought me to the edge of physical collapse.

I know this is a large amount, and I understand that many people reading this may feel uncertain about how to help.

But if you are able to donate, share this campaign, or help it reach compassionate people, organizations, communities, or those with resources, it truly could change the course of my life.

Every act of kindness matters.

Every share matters.

Every person who helps this reach further matters.

More than anything, I wish simply to recover, to stand again without unbearable pain, to regain dignity and health, and to finally begin a new chapter beside my husband after these long years of instability and suffering.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for holding us in your hearts.

With gratitude,

Serena & Gabriel ( Aydin)