I’m crying uncle.

(This may be TMI, but here goes.)

In October of 2023 I had a catastrophic bike accident. After four surgeries and a significant rent hike, I needed to reboot my life. With support from multiple angels, I packed up and moved to Chicago, where I could have more work opportunities and live more cheaply. (My rent is now half what it was.)

After the move I was able to start riding my bike again (which helped to heal my soul). But with medical debt and moving costs, I was still underwater. It was important for me to heal both physically AND financially. And I was getting there.

Juggling three jobs, I managed to pay off a third of my debt. My previous medical bills had been completely erased, and I was actively paying off the rest. My credit climbed to over 750 and I was feeling pretty darn proud of myself. I had even lost almost 30 pounds!! Until…

I had what I thought was a very bad cold. Or the flu. Or Covid. I’m still not sure. At the end of that I developed a severe pain in my chest. After x-rays, an EKG, a cat scan, an MRI, and a blood panel, doctors did not know what caused the pain, but a separate issue was discovered in my throat. Then another on my thyroid. And another on my skin. Plus, a spot on my brain they found after my bike accident is now growing. By the end of October, I will have had two more MRIs (totaling 5), an endoscopy, an epidural shot, and a biopsy. And I still don’t know why I’m having pain in my chest.

What I do know is that I am once again struggling. I currently owe almost $1000 in co-pays, and we're just getting started. It's also harder for me to work as much as I have been, which means I don't have as much of an income. But if you know me, you know I am the "pick yourself up by the bootstraps" poster child, which means I have a plan.

I’m launching a GoFundMe. But because I truly HATE asking for help (it seriously messes with my self-esteem), I'm doing things a little differently. The perks for this fund raiser are going to be really interesting, even desirable - handmade gifts.

Think of it as a PopUpShop. Every time you make a donation, I will send you something I have created myself. And you can choose. I’ll even pay the shipping (and if you know anything about shipping...)

Here’s what I have to offer:

$25 - a HAIKU I will write just for you, about you!!

$50 - a tree ornament OR fan pull OR window decoration

$100 - a Christmas stocking (traditional or non-traditional)

$150 - a table runner (Christmas theme or not)

$200 - a Christmas Tree Skirt (traditional or non-traditional)

Everything is one of a kind, so be sure to ask for pictures.

Of course, you are free to donate any other amount you wish - after which you will receive a handwritten thank you card. (And I can do cursive - a fading art.)

So think of this as a win/win. I get the funds I need to cover my medical bills and living expenses, and you get something I have made myself: an original, one-of-a-kind item from Lily Mercer Designs. Made with lots and lots of love.

Now, since some of you have asked…

The pain comes and goes. Most days I feel ok, but my energy is not what it used to be. I can still get on my bike, and that helps. So I’m not asking for sympathy. We all have our struggles. I’m just trying to meet mine with a little creativity, which has always been my superpower.

And not for nuthin’, if you got this far, thanks for caring.