Help Holly - Recovery Surgery

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

After battling a rare disease that robbed her of her body and a large chunk of her 20s, Holly has successfully lost 100+ of the pounds she gained due to her brain tumour / Cushing’s disease. Unfortunately, she is not out of the woods. She needs plastic surgery to remove the excess sagging skin that she now has due to her dramatic weight gain and subsequent loss. Holly struggles with rashes, chaffing, pain, discomfort, and pretty much whatever you can think of when you think about carrying what is estimated to be about 20lbs+ of sagging skin. The volume of skin makes it impossible for the skin to naturally retake its shape. Currently managing gallstones and the removal of her gallbladder on top of this, it seems this girl can’t catch a break.

To our surprise, coverage for this recovery procedure at its maximum, only covers 25% of the total cost. Things like the fact that Holly wouldn’t even be in this position if it weren’t for her brain tumour, are not considered. There just isn’t a category for people who need plastic surgery after a rare and cruel disease has destroyed their body. We have submitted a case to apply for coverage and are waiting to hear back, but after consults with multiple plastic surgeons, it is looking unlikely. If we secure the maximum coverage available, the out of pocket cost is still unaffordable for Holly.

Holly has been investing in a range of lottery tickets, but as we await a less than likely win, we are seeking support to help Holly get the treatment she needs so she can reclaim her body. We humbly invite anyone who knows Holly, has followed her long journey, or has had her story resonate with you, to please help us help Holly by donating to this gofundme if you are able. Anything helps, donations can be anonymous, and your support is endlessly appreciated❤️

As some of you may know, after years of total mystery, and multiple misdiagnoses, hiring a personal trainer, blaming herself, and more health issues one could ever imagine, in 2021 Holly was finally diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease. In many ways, the discovery of the tumour was a relief because we had an answer, and a treatment exists - namely tricky brain surgery. Cushing’s disease is a rare progressive pituitary disorder, and it occurs when a pituitary tumor causes the body to make too much cortisol, - which then wreaks total havoc on the body and mind. In 2022, after gaining over 100lbs, suffering from depression, developing purple stretch marks all over her body, rupturing her Achilles tendon, suffering muscle atrophy, chipping her teeth, walking with a cane, and the list goes on, Holly underwent brain surgery to remove the tumour. Recovery has not been linear as she has navigated temporarily losing vision in one of her eyes requiring her to wear an eyepatch, multiple adrenal crisis’, a sleep apnea diagnosis, and more. Holly continues to persevere and demonstrate her determination to survive and get back to normal. Let’s help her get one step closer to to getting back what the disease stole from her!

Cushing’s Disease

Symptoms include:

* Round, red face

* Hump on back of neck and/or fatty deposits around clavicle area

* Purple stretch marks, especially on the chest, armpits and belly

* Skin changes, such as acne, excessive facial hair and easy bruising

* Unusual, rapid weight gain, especially around the belly

* Insomnia

* Excessive sweating

* Severe, unexplained fatigue and weakness

Complications can include:

* Muscle weakness/wasting

* Vision problems

* Headaches

* Infections

* Osteoporosis, a condition that causes weak, brittle bones and bone loss

* High blood pressure

* High blood sugar or diabetes

* Extreme fatigue/weakness

* Depression

* Memory loss

* In women, loss of periods (amenorrhea), and male-pattern face and body hair (hirsutism)