Hello there! For those of you who don’t know me very well, my name is Katie Best. I am 24 years old living in Roswell, GA working as a bartender to save for graduate school. And up until recently, my life was pretty normal. About two months ago, I noticed a drastic change in my mental and physical health. What was once a manageable amount of anxiety and stress skyrocketed to a full-blown constant state of panic. My energy levels were at an all-time low regardless of caffeine consumption. I had horrible abdominal cramping and a consistent, sharp pain on the right side of my lower back.

I went to my OB/GYN thinking the problem might be kidney stones, as those run in my family. After CT imaging and blood work, I was made aware of a mass located on my right adrenal gland. My first thought—what the hell is an adrenal gland?

Humans have two adrenal glands on top of each kidney that are a part of the endocrine system in our body. They produce hormones that help regulate metabolism, blood pressure, your immune system, and responses to stress. And believe it or not, they are not supposed to have tumors growing on them!

So next steps: MRI imaging to define the parameters of the tumor, blood tests for damage control, and ultimately surgery to take the sucker out. The MRI scan will facilitate a deeper examination of the tumor’s topography, essential not just for surgical planning but also for aiding in the determination of its malignancy (if it is cancerous). Luckily, I do have health insurance to assist with the costs of the tests, imaging, and surgery, but it is not full coverage so there will still be out-of-pocket costs.

If you have even the slightest acquaintance with me, you’ll know that I’m always engaged in work. Employment has been a constant in my life for as long as I can remember. Work and academics were my primary motivators even as a child, and now in my early 20s, I’ve come to recognize that having a job and embracing the structure and consistency it provides has always offered me more mental comfort than relying on others for financial support ever could. On an average week, I work 40+ hours, and instead of worrying about the possibilities of cancer and the necessity of surgery, I am more worried about not being able to work.

The surgery to remove the gland will take 6 weeks to recover and I will not be able to work for at least two of those weeks. And even when I can return to work, I will not be able to return at my full capacity. And with rent, bills, hospital copays, and prescription prices, I should be picking up more hours, not less…

In conclusion, I find myself facing a health challenge that has unexpectedly disrupted my life. With a tumor on my adrenal gland requiring surgery, I am confronted not only with medical uncertainties but also financial burdens. Your understanding and support during this time mean more to me than words could ever express. As I embark on this journey towards recovery, I am reaching out for assistance in covering the expenses associated with medical tests, procedures, and the inevitable loss of income during my recovery period. Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in alleviating the financial strain that accompanies this unexpected turn of events.

With your generosity, I hope to raise $12,000 to address the costs of medical care and provide stability during my healing process. Your kindness and compassion will enable me to focus on my health without the added stress of financial worries.

The breakdown of fund allocation is as follows:

- $8000 for surgery

- $1550 for hospital bills

- $1200 for rent

- $1000 for scans

- $250 for medications

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and consider supporting me during this challenging time. Your generosity will not go unnoticed, and I am immensely grateful for any assistance provided. Together, we can overcome this obstacle and ensure a brighter, healthier future. Thank you for your kindness and support.