Update: My return to work day is September 24th. I will also have a 10lb weight limit for 8-10 weeks. This is going to be a very long, stressful, and tough 2 months without working.

Update: I'm officially home in my own bed, and couldn't be happier. They were able to remove the entire lymphocele, along with a lot of scar tissue that was in the way. Currently home on my medications, and a weight limit of 10lbs for 8-10 weeks. Still unsure of how long I'll be out of work. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to even read this. Thank you as well to those who have shared, and even donated. I appreciate it more than anyone will know.

My name's Heather for those that don't know me. I am currently dealing with a medical issue that is making it extremely difficult to make it to work for my shifts and financially survive.

The week of Christmas 2024, I was back and forth to the ER with severe lower abdominal pains, as well as lower back and leg pain. They diagnosed me with a lymphocele, which is a fluid-filled mass. Four times to the ER that week, and I ended up admitted into the hospital for 10 days because the lymphocele was infected. They drained the mass in January, and it came back. The second time they were supposed to drain it, and instead, I woke up with a drain in place through my backside for over two weeks. When they ran the tests, it showed it had gone away; however, not even two weeks later, it was back and bigger. It's roughly the size of a grapefruit.

I was being bounced around from doctor to doctor before I finally found a surgeon that would perform the surgery I need to remove the mass. There's one giant issue with that... surgery isn't until July 30th. They can't get me in any sooner due to my complicated medical history. They actually acquired a newly retired GI doctor to join the surgery as well as an OBGYN/cancer doctor. Due to three surgeons and three different schedules, the soonest they could do is the end of July.

I already work part-time due to disability, and with this medical issue, I'm barely able to work. The pain that I have from this lymphocele makes it difficult to walk. The back pain and the leg pain that I have as well is horrible. I am constantly on pain management because over-the-counter medication doesn't help me at all. I am hoping for a little help from now until my surgery. I am struggling to pay my rent and bills. Anything would be greatly appreciated and would help immensely. I hate having to ask for help, but this is really taking a toll on me financially, physically, and emotionally.

Update: They have started me on a new medication to help with pain but the dosage is high and makes it difficult to safely drive. On the brightside it helps manage the pain quite a bit, but days are still hard