Help Willow and Matt Move Forward

Hello to all who may read this,

I never imagined I’d be here asking for help, but my partner and I have been overwhelmed by heartbreak and hardship over the past few weeks. This is the last thing I wanted to turn to, knowing how complicated the world is and that so many others are also struggling. But today, I’m reaching out because we need help.

Our sweet cat, Leo—my baby boy and Emotional Support Animal—had to be rushed to the hospital on Sunday (1/12) for emergency surgery to remove a large bladder stone. Leo had been hiding his pain well, but that morning, we found him tucked away in the back of our closet. When we brought him out, he lay lifelessly in my lap. Leo is usually so full of life—he loves pets so much that if you don’t give them, he’ll help himself. Watching him barely move broke my heart.

We tried everything to comfort him, even offering his favorite catnip, but he rolled into it and stared off like nothing mattered anymore. When the vet told us Leo was on the verge of passing and that waiting even one more day could have been too late, I was terrified. I spent hours crying with my partner, unsure if he would make it. Thankfully, Leo survived the surgery and came home on Tuesday (1/14), where he’s now resting and healing.

This has been the most heart-wrenching experience we’ve faced, and it’s only the start of the year. Leo’s surgery has drained our savings, leaving us struggling to cover the remaining medical bills and upcoming expenses. On top of this, my partner, Matt, needs a painful tooth removal that was initially planned as a root canal. Recent scans revealed the tooth couldn’t be saved, and Matt has been in constant pain for months. We had dental insurance, but it won’t cover any costs during the plan's first year.

To make things more stressful, we’re preparing for a significant move to Minnesota at the end of March. This move is essential for us: it will bring us closer to my family, offer a more affordable cost of living, and allow Matt to start a better job. We had been saving for this transition, but now our savings are gone.

I’m a part-time worker and full-time student, managing health challenges from unknowingly living in a house with black mold. It’s made long hours on my feet difficult, and although I’ve been searching for remote work, it’s been hard to find opportunities with my background in warehouse jobs. Matt recently returned to school full-time, and while we’re determined to build a better future, we’re struggling to stay afloat.

Leo’s medical bills are still at $2,473.36 after a $500 down payment, not including the $236.78 ER visit. With rent, basic living expenses, and upcoming medical costs, we barely make it by, let alone saving for our move. We’ve started selling personal items—our PS5, collectibles, books, and furniture—but it’s not enough.

We would be forever grateful if you could donate, share our story, or send love and good energy. Your support means more than words can express and would help us get through this difficult time and start fresh.

Thank you for reading and being here for us.

With warm wishes and love,

Willow and Matt ~

(The current photo was the morning before we took Leo to the hospital)