Hysterectomy-Short Term Disability
Donation protected
My name is Abby. I am 45. I am about to embark on a journey that will change my life. I have done so many things to make my life stronger and now I have to face a great vulnerability - my health.
I earned a Bachelor's Degree in 2008 for Deaf Studies and Communication (after going to school, off and on, for over 20 years). I began a Master's for Finance and Accounting, right after graduating, but was only able to get half way through. I had to stop because I wasn't following my passion, I was just trying to move ahead to make enough money to thrive, not just survive. After some time, I went back to school in January 2012 for a Master's in Education. I finished in June of 2014. That was a huge accomplishment for me. Huge. I used my entire 401K (close to $30k worth), was on unemployment for half the time and actually made it through without falling apart. I am now working towards my license to become a "Licensed Mental Health Counselor" (LMHC). I am not, yet, making enough money to pay rent, ontime, let alone any of my other bills (like utilities and school loans) but I am functioning. I am doing it all by myself - not married, no support from family, no children. Just me (and one dear friend that helps whenever he can).
The reason I have begun this fundraiser is that despite all that I am going through I have been able to survive, somehow, up until now. But, I will be going on Short Term Disability, from work, in order to heal from the Hysterectomy, and my already low pay will be cut by 33%. I might be able to pay rent but, then, not much else. It is overwhelming and humbling to have to ask for support. The monetary goal that I have provided will help pay rent for a year. I know it is a lot to ask but it would help me to get back on my feet as I heal from surgery and get back to working full time.
I decided, a long time ago, that I wasn't going to have children. I didn't want to put anyone through what I had been through as a child. Then, 3 years ago, I found out I had a 10cm fibroid attached to the outside wall of my uterus. I was encouraged to either have it removed or have a hysterectomy. Fear got in the way and I "put it off". The fibroid doubled in size to 20 x22 x 18cm (I have many clients under age 10 - several of them have asked if I am pregnant :( ). It has been very hard for me, emotionally, to realize that the Universe agrees with me - that I should not have my own children. But it is time to face it.
I had surgery in August 2015 to attempt to embolize the fibroid so it would shrink. That way, I could have the hysterectomy through Laparoscopy. Well, it did not go well. Eight months later and even though it shrank a little, it has grown back. I have to have full on, open surgery. I'm scared. I know I'll make it through and will be ok but I need help.
I'm working on getting emotional help from my friends in the mental health field, friends that I've made along the way and through my family in the #Echelon. (I've been die hard Echelon since September 2014. I have met more loving supportive people through this group than any other group I've been a part of in my life. #Grateful. ) But, I still need help financially. I am a very hard worker. I put my all into everything I do. And I want to get back up on my feet and make my life work. I just need some help to get there. Any amount that you are able to donate will be much appreciated.
If you have questions you can find me on Twitter at @sunlitwindow. Please leave me a message, here, when you donate - with your twitter handle if you have one - and I will give you a proper shout out!
I earned a Bachelor's Degree in 2008 for Deaf Studies and Communication (after going to school, off and on, for over 20 years). I began a Master's for Finance and Accounting, right after graduating, but was only able to get half way through. I had to stop because I wasn't following my passion, I was just trying to move ahead to make enough money to thrive, not just survive. After some time, I went back to school in January 2012 for a Master's in Education. I finished in June of 2014. That was a huge accomplishment for me. Huge. I used my entire 401K (close to $30k worth), was on unemployment for half the time and actually made it through without falling apart. I am now working towards my license to become a "Licensed Mental Health Counselor" (LMHC). I am not, yet, making enough money to pay rent, ontime, let alone any of my other bills (like utilities and school loans) but I am functioning. I am doing it all by myself - not married, no support from family, no children. Just me (and one dear friend that helps whenever he can).
The reason I have begun this fundraiser is that despite all that I am going through I have been able to survive, somehow, up until now. But, I will be going on Short Term Disability, from work, in order to heal from the Hysterectomy, and my already low pay will be cut by 33%. I might be able to pay rent but, then, not much else. It is overwhelming and humbling to have to ask for support. The monetary goal that I have provided will help pay rent for a year. I know it is a lot to ask but it would help me to get back on my feet as I heal from surgery and get back to working full time.
I decided, a long time ago, that I wasn't going to have children. I didn't want to put anyone through what I had been through as a child. Then, 3 years ago, I found out I had a 10cm fibroid attached to the outside wall of my uterus. I was encouraged to either have it removed or have a hysterectomy. Fear got in the way and I "put it off". The fibroid doubled in size to 20 x22 x 18cm (I have many clients under age 10 - several of them have asked if I am pregnant :( ). It has been very hard for me, emotionally, to realize that the Universe agrees with me - that I should not have my own children. But it is time to face it.
I had surgery in August 2015 to attempt to embolize the fibroid so it would shrink. That way, I could have the hysterectomy through Laparoscopy. Well, it did not go well. Eight months later and even though it shrank a little, it has grown back. I have to have full on, open surgery. I'm scared. I know I'll make it through and will be ok but I need help.
I'm working on getting emotional help from my friends in the mental health field, friends that I've made along the way and through my family in the #Echelon. (I've been die hard Echelon since September 2014. I have met more loving supportive people through this group than any other group I've been a part of in my life. #Grateful. ) But, I still need help financially. I am a very hard worker. I put my all into everything I do. And I want to get back up on my feet and make my life work. I just need some help to get there. Any amount that you are able to donate will be much appreciated.
If you have questions you can find me on Twitter at @sunlitwindow. Please leave me a message, here, when you donate - with your twitter handle if you have one - and I will give you a proper shout out!
Organizer
Sunlit Window
Organizer