I'm going in for cardiac surgery Thursday July 23. I have an aneurysm in my upper aorta and need to have a valve replaced so it doesn't blow up; if it blows, that's quickly the end apparently. Recovery is 3 months, so I'll be unemployed.

I'm broke. I was never good at business stuff. I didn't secure royalty deals when I worked in music; I didn't hang on to the right records for my retail business, didn't pay much into social security and I'm just basically bad with money. I have no resentment or regrets, things are what they are, and let me say I love everyone I've known or worked with and the awesome people currently in my life. I'm proud of my past and love my current world.

So I need financial help so I can recover; this is major surgery number four in my life and can I say, it's scary. I'm thinking I'll be moving slow the rest of the year.

If some miracle happens and I get over the initial goal, I'm also hoping I can slow down and start to go into semi-retirement. I still work 60 hours a week selling records and sometimes driving rideshare. I'd like to get that down to a more manageable place; I'm 68 and I'm exhausted. To do that I'd like to pay off my car which is $8640, and I'd like to make a settlement offer with the IRS; I owe them around $35000 and I'm thinking at least try and offer $5000 and see if that could get rid of that or bring it down. Both things would bring my bills down by $800 a month. And that's a start!

Do I expect to get the crazy amount I'm hoping for? No, but may as well try. Any donation of any amount will be so appreciated, even if it's a dollar. If somehow I got more, that would be lovely and I could start veering toward working less. And if you can't donate, I will still love you; I really am grateful for everyone in my life.