After two surgeries and nearly three weeks in the hospital, recovery has been harder and more uncertain than I imagined. I was prepared for surgery. I was prepared for pain. I was prepared for a long recovery. What I wasn’t fully prepared for was what recovery would look like while working full-time, living on my own, and being far from my immediate family.
As a burn survivor, surgeries have been part of my life for 23 years. The surgery itself didn’t bring anxiety or fear, and honestly, neither did the thought of recovery. But this time has been different. The reality of taking time away from work, dealing with pain and unexpected days off, medical expenses, and still having everyday life continue around me has made this season much more challenging than I anticipated.
I have been pushing through a lot because I want to get back on my feet. I want to work. I want to serve. I want to do the things I love. Financially, I also haven’t felt like I have the luxury of simply stopping. This has meant going to work and being exhausted. For every yes I say, I have to say no 15 times! It makes the balance hard. And with the possibility that I may need additional surgical intervention, there is still a lot of uncertainty ahead. I don’t know exactly when this chapter will end, which makes planning for it especially difficult.
So, why am I sharing this?
Not because I expect anyone to give me anything.
In fact, asking for help is probably one of the hardest parts of this entire recovery for me. I’m much more comfortable being the person who shows up, gives, serves, encourages, and helps carry someone else’s burden. Being on the receiving end of that has always been harder for me. It honestly feels really challenging to recieve instead of give.
But several people have asked how they can help. People have already shown up with meals, gifts, cards, visits, and more. But some have asked other ways to give, thos just opens that doorway for whomever wishes. My friends have reminded me that receiving isn’t weakness, and that sometimes we have to allow other people the opportunity to love us in practical ways.
One friend said something that really changed the way I looked at this: if someone feels called to give or serve you, refusing to receive it may actually be keeping them from following that calling.
That stuck with me.
So this fundraiser is me opening my hands.
If you feel led to bless me financially during this season, this is one way you can do that. There is absolutely no pressure, expectation, or obligation. Please don’t feel like you have to give. Prayer, encouragement, a message, sharing this page, or simply continuing to walk alongside me are all gifts I deeply value. If you wish to give differently or desire to send different, please reach out personally! Im happy to share more.
If you do feel called to give, the funds will help with medical expenses, lost wages, and the ordinary living expenses that don’t pause just because your body needs time to heal. More than anything, it would give me a little room to breathe—to listen to my body when it needs rest, focus on healing, and not have to carry quite as much financial stress alongside everything else.
And even in the middle of all of this, God has continued to remind me that my story is still being used.
I’ve been able to minister to people through my writing, conversations, and posts throughout this recovery. That has been one of the greatest blessings of this season. Even when I haven’t felt well enough to do much physically, I’ve still been able to use my voice and my story to encourage someone else.
Maybe that’s part of what this season is teaching me, too.
I know how to give.
I’m learning how to receive.
And I’m learning to trust God for provision in both.
So if you feel called to be part of carrying me through this chapter, thank you. Whether that looks like giving, praying, sharing, encouraging, sending a card, checking in, or simply reminding me that I’m not walking through this alone—I am incredibly grateful.
Thank you for standing with me, loving me, and reminding me that sometimes the strongest thing we can do is open our hands and let someone else help carry the weight.
❤️
