Help for Becca’s Ileostomy Surgeries

In August of 2018, my wife, Rebecca Singleton, went to the hospital after two days of intense stomach pains. We learned that she had a condition called ruptured diverticulitis—she had developed a pouch along her large intestine that, when inflamed, ruptured into a small hole in her intestinal wall. After three days, she was discharged as the hole closed up on its own.  She was hospitalized for the same condition again in October 2018, and we scheduled a surgery that would remove the affected areas of her colon after she had recovered. 

Becca went into surgery on November 20 to remove 20% of her colon, and was expected to make a full recovery by just after Thanksgiving. However, complications ensued—it was later learned through tissue analysis on her removed colon that her infection that led to the diverticulitis hadn’t gone away before she went into surgery, and was now interfering with her recovery. After several days without any food and enduring an NG tube, Becca had to get an ileostomy, diverting her small intestine into an external pouch on her side while her large intestine healed over the next few months. Becca was discharged after 16 days in the hospital, and faced an additional three weeks of recovery at-home. 

During this time, our families and jobs were an immense help—Becca was allowed to take an extended leave of absence while I was able to use PTO from my job to help take care of her. We had savings for a future house, but knew her health was a more immediate and important concern—and helped us get through her recovery. 

However, things took a turn for the worse in January. Becca lost her job after nearly 3 years, and for several weeks we had to rely on our savings to get through her recovery to now help us through her search for a job. In her post-hospitalization follow up visits, Becca also learned that she’s developed a hernia around her stoma (intestinal output) due to additional strain, making her ability to lift weight or exercise diminish lest she incur further complications.

Becca’s gained a temp position, but the requirements for her work demanded we push her ileostomy reversal surgery to May instead of the originally-planned March. She also took a major pay cut, but with the potential to maybe make more than her last job in a year’s time. 

All the while, we’ve had the bills from Becca’s surgery and extended hospital stays looming over us (roughly $7200), to say nothing of the reversal surgery, hospital stay, and recovery to come—all while Becca is out of work during that time period. Our savings has been halved already, and everything else would clear that out and still leave us in the red. Upon receiving our bills we applied for Seton’s financial assistance program, but were denied. We’ve reapplied in the wake of Becca’s job loss. We’ve indefinitely put off searching for a house, and we’re working with Seton to figure out a payment plan for what we currently owe. But with a sudden hospital visit tonight (March 25th), we feel like we’re in way over our heads with little relief in sight.

Funds would go towards paying the medical bills we currently owe ($7200), as well as providing a buffer for the next surgery to come (Hospital bills, paying Becca’s normal monthly bills/rent share while recovering and out of work, etc.)

We know these are tough times for everyone, but Becca and I would greatly appreciate whatever you may be able to donate to help us out. We wouldn’t have gotten this far without the love and support of our family and friends, and we’re grateful for your continued presence in our lives.