Hello friends, neighbors, and kind strangers,

My name is Paulina, and I live in Houston with my husband, Ethan. Just a few weeks ago, Ethan underwent urgent brain surgery to remove an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) — a life-threatening condition we didn’t even know he had. The surgery saved his life, but recovery has been intense and completely upended our lives.

Since the operation, Ethan has needed full-time care. He struggles with fatigue, pain, and limited mobility on the entire left side of his body. He cannot be left alone for more than a couple of hours. He’s also facing complications: he’s lost peripheral vision in his left eye and needs to see a neuro-ophthalmologist, and we’re awaiting an X-ray to rule out a possible rotator cuff injury. He will also need occupational and physical therapy to rebuild strength and function.

I’ve stepped into the role of full-time caregiver while trying to keep my small business — Pauli&Pets, a local pet care company — afloat. Unfortunately, May is our slowest month, and bookings have dropped significantly. Many of our clients are in the Heights area, and with our recent move to Briar Forest (77063), I’m actively trying to find new pet parents closer to our neighborhood so I can continue working without reliable transportation. I’m also looking for any nearby, low-impact work I can take on to help supplement our income.

We moved into our new townhouse just two weeks after Ethan’s surgery with the help of close friends. Managing the move, caregiving, and my own chronic health issues — including PCOS, plantar fasciitis, debilitating migraines, and lower back pain — has pushed me to my limits. I’m learning to drive and working toward getting my license, but for now, Ethan’s recovery has to come first.

What’s made this even harder is that Ethan’s disability checks — which we were counting on to cover rent and essentials — were suddenly slashed by more than half due to insurance adjustments. We've applied for assistance, contacted charities, and cut every non-essential expense, but we’re now facing a growing stack of unpaid bills and medical costs.

I don’t ask for help easily. But right now, we need it.

How your donation will help:

• Cover critical living expenses (May–July): rent, utilities, car insurance, credit cards

• Pay for Ethan’s rehab, medical follow-ups, and medications (Our goal is evolving as we learn what his new copays are for each type of therapy he needs, and visits with specialists)

• Help keep our business going during this difficult period

• Provide a bridge until Ethan can safely return to work — even at limited capacity

We’re setting our goal at $8,000 to get through the next few months while we navigate this medical and financial storm. Every single dollar — truly — makes a difference. I’ll be posting updates about Ethan’s progress, appointments, and how your support is helping us.

Thank you for reading, sharing, or donating. Your kindness reminds us that even during the hardest moments, community can carry us through. We are deeply grateful for each and every one of you. God bless you all ❤️