Hi friends,

I came out this year but on some level have known all my life that I was transgender. I've had a lot of difficulty with this body especially over the past few years due to the agony of endometriosis which required two surgeries in a year and a half and left me with ongoing fibromyalgia symptoms. I've also had ongoing neck, back, migraine pain, and deeply painful dysphoria from my chest size. I'm disabled but have continued working as a textile artist, educator, and just started a new part-time job as an artisan cider host.

This morning I received the call after many months of waiting. My chest masculinization procedure has finally been approved and my surgery team was able to get me in much sooner than expected due to a cancellation. My top surgery is scheduled for Wednesday October 11. That's less than a month from today.

There are many logistics I need to work out to make this happen on short notice. Since I am self-employed, finances are my primary concern. I'll be out of work for 3-4 weeks and have no paid time off. I need to make sure that my living expenses are paid while I recover. That's where you come in.

I need to raise $2500 to cover my rent, utilities, phone, and food expenses for my recovery. I am very fortunate to have excellent health insurance which will cover my medical costs (thank you, WA Trans Care!) but there are some non-covered comfort items I will need such as a post-operative binder, mastectomy pillows, bed wedge to keep me upright, and clothing that's easy to put on and take off. I'm also on the hunt for a used reclining chair or loveseat. Any extra funds will go toward purchasing gender affirming clothing. It is not easy to replace an entire wardrobe.

I've been working out several times a week in preparation for this surgery and I'm proud to share that I've lost 25 lbs and am gaining muscle fast. It feels great to be working toward full expression of my self and have a sense of truly caring for my body.

Gender affirming testosterone has given me a new life. Not only does this medicine provide the mental and physical changes I need to continue my transformation, but it also represses the further regrowth of endometriosis. My health, both physical and mental, is improving by the week.

Thanks so much for your support, my community and my chosen family. I love you and appreciate you so much.

Rowan