Hello friends and family,

I’ll get straight to it: I have a tumor in my spine that needs to be removed through a laminectomy. The recovery may be long, but I am determined to get through this.

I’ve been living with back pain for about five years. More recently, the pain increased exponentially. I’ve been in physical therapy for about six months with little to no relief. My doctor requested an MRI three separate times, and it was denied each time.

The pain eventually became so intense that I saved up and paid $700 out of pocket for the MRI myself. They quickly found the tumor, and due to the severity of my pain, my care team has decided that removal from my spinal column is necessary.

The long and short of it is that the medical bills are piling up. While FMLA will protect my job, it does not provide pay during my leave of absence.

If it is in your heart to give, please know that any support means more than I can put into words. I am incredibly grateful to have such a strong community during this time, and I thank you from the deepest parts of my heart for your kindness, generosity, and support.