Hi, my name is Dee, and I’m 44 years old.

Every day, I push through the pain of arthritis and fibromyalgia to keep working. I’ve always prided myself on working hard and taking care of my responsibilities, no matter how tough things get.

Recently, my life took an unexpected turn. I discovered a mass on my thyroid and a cyst in my neck that has grown significantly in just the past two months. My doctors have told me I need surgery to remove the cyst, and because of its size and location, there’s a strong chance it will affect a nerve in my shoulder. This means I’ll not only be out of work for at least two months, but I may also need physical therapy to recover.

Being unable to work for that long is something I’ve never faced before, and it’s frightening to think about falling behind on my bills while I heal. I’m reaching out with humility to ask for help — whatever you can give — to get me through this recovery period so I can focus on healing without the added stress of financial hardship.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading my story, for your kindness, and for any support you can give. Your generosity will help me get back on my feet so I can return to work and continue providing for my son's college education.