Greetings,

My name is Ziara, I am a close friend of Simon’s. I am grateful to have the opportunity to lean into my dedication to interdependence by sending this message to you all. I am reaching towards you all with an ask for support of my beloved friend Simon who is approaching a surgery that will be disruptive to their financial security. May the donations from all of you make their recovery abundant and comforting, so their gifts can continue to flow, too. Praying for the web of care to be cast far and wide and for the generosity flowing here to continue to make its way where it is needed.

Here’s a summary of what Simon is navigating, in their words:

Last fall, I learned of a nodule on the left side of my thyroid after it showed up on an x-ray when I was in the ER for covid related chest pain. My PCP ordered an ultrasound of the nodule, which was done last February and a biopsy, which was done in May. The biopsy results were atypical and inconclusive, so my endocrinologist at Ford Medical sent my sample to be tested for genetic markers of possible malignancies. I received the results after my move to Western Massachusettes in June and unfortunately, the results indicate a risk of malignancy that, according to the current standard of medical care, warrants removal of the nodule and connected thyroid tissue in order to know whether it is malignant or not. I have consulted with two local Endocrinologists, Dr. Nicasio and Dr. Karacsony at Mass General Cooley Dickinson, and the area’s well regarded Endocrine Surgeon, Dr. Jabiev at Baystate Medical and all three agree that I need to have the left side of my thyroid and suspicious nodule removed. There is a 30 to 50% chance I will need to take supplemental thyroid medication, but ideally, my remaining right side thyroid will still produce enough of the hormone for my body to function properly.

After 18 months of this journey, I have discerned that I do need to have this surgery in order to rule out malignancy (or treat if it is present). My surgery will be on Wednesday, April 30th. As a self employed, trans, disabled person living with some amount of long covid fatigue, I am planning to take three weeks off of work in order to recover. The funds from the GoFundMe will go toward my out of pocket preparation and recovery expenses, including holistic care, as well living expenses while not working.

Thank you for any contributions you feel called and able to make to support my recovery. Sending so much care to everyone at this challenging time we are living through.

If you would prefer to contribute via Venmo please send to @simonwolff