Hello my name is Madrone, I am an artist living in Oakland CA.

I have bilateral, advanced knee arthritis in both of my knees and on July 24th 2024 I am having right knee, full replacement surgery. I have been disabled for several years because of the arthritis and it has been incredibly limiting to what I can do physically. I can no longer squat or kneel, or walk very far. The pain used to be kept relatively under control with steroid injections into my knee joints. This treatment no longer works and the arthritis is bone on bone at this advanced stage. The right knee is the worst pain which is why I am having this knee done first.

I have been putting this surgery off for years as the financial infrastructure to not work has always been a barrier to me. I am self employed and live month to month.

This is an intense procedure and I will not be able to work for at least two months after the surgery, as it is my right knee I will not be able to drive for several weeks, until I can accelerate and brake safely. My surgeon said best case scenario for recovery is 3 months. So I am holding to that as the outcome for me. My surgeon is Dr Lee at Kaiser Northern CA, who I have been a patient of for many years. He encouraged me to do this surgery six years ago.

I live alone and will have in home care, and in home physical therapy for the first two weeks after my surgery.

As a working artist I will not be able to sit bent knees for long periods, or bear weight for possibly up to 3 months if all goes well, so I will be unable to work during that time. I live month to month and am raising funds to cover my living expenses for two and a half months and some medical expenses. I will be posting photos after the surgery with updates.

If you can help in any way I will be deeply appreciative. I am not the kind of person who is good at asking for help, as I have always been so independent. But with this surgery I absolutely will need help, and I am lucky that I live in a community where I can rely on friends and loved ones for support. I hope this can model for others that our ability to help each other in difficult times is our strength.

The money will be used for rent, food, living expenses, medical expenses and prescriptions and equipment, internet, and other monthly expenses of living in the Bay Area.

Thank you deeply.