Support for Emily’s Journey to Health

January 2025 update!

Surgery is in 5 months I’m booked in for June and am working as much overtime as my body allows to put towards medical costs. Please continue sharing and thank you to those who have donated already it is so appreciated

More updates to come.

Hey there, I’m Emily. If you have a minute I would love to share my journey to health and why I’m asking for help and your donation.

I have lived in a plus size body all of my life and at my heaviest weighted 331lbs; but January 2022 that had to change forever when I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Intercranial Hypertension. I was loosing my vision in both eyes and not able to be an involved mother or wife; and learned that my weight played into effectively treating my newly diagnosed chronic illness.

The next day with the help of doctors, dietian, internist, medication, and major lifestyle changes I made the commitment to get to be a more reasonable weight and take my medications and stay committed to my new forever life style.

I lost 70lbs in 7 months then in August 2022 underwent surgery for a gastric sleeve to affirm my new commitment to life style changes.

Over the next year I lost another 95lbs for a TOTAL of 165lbs lost.

I have maintained my new weight of 165lbs since reaching my maitenance stage of surgery and lifestyle. I am a literal HALF of myself but my body still holds memory of the weight I used to carry.

I have chronic infections in my belly button and skin breakdown under my stomach skin flap, and under my breast and groin from all of the loose skin. I have pain from the break down and sagging and am very conscious of the look and smell of this new stage.

I have had surgical consultations with surgeons who can help but unfortunately Canada’s Medical Service Plan (MSP) does not cover this kind of “cosmetic” skin removal even if it is for chronic infections and pain- such as my situation.

This surgery will allow me to partake in more of life’s activities without pain and the chronic need for anti fungals , compression garments, and barrier creams and devices.

I’m not sure how much the loose skin will weight but there is more than 10lbs of it hanging from my body.

To be totally transparent just the abdominal portion of my surgery is $18,900. That does not include any of the extra costs of transportation to and from the lower Main land as well as 5 overnights there to be monitored and close to the team. And will not include fixing anything to do with the loose skin around my chest and breasts. Finding the right fit for my surgical team with my IIH is so important because it makes me more vulnerable to complications from simple side effects. But I have found a surgeon that makes me feel safe and has taken the time to understand the complexities of my illness.

So I’m putting myself out there- I’m being vulnerable and I’m asking for help. If you feel you can give even $20; any money donated will go directly to surgical cost. To help ease the burden of this unexpected expense on my family- when we truly hoped that MSP would cover the procedure due to infections.

My weight loss journey has not been for looks or in vain; it has been to gain health. Restore my vision, put crippling daily symptoms of IIH into remission and make flair ups more manageable so that I can be fully present with my family and continue my passionate career in nursing.

If my story resonates with you, or you are in a place to give I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am also always so grateful for prayer and people sharing my journey with others. I will post updates along the way.

Sincerely,

Emily