I am Lilia, I’m 24 years old, I’m a lifelong artist and in more recent years also an art, fashion & more content creator. I live with incurable, complex, and progressive medical conditions that cause severe daily pain and widespread systemic symptoms that prevent me from doing a lot. 

You can visit this link to find all of the other ways to support me: Click here (digital art shop, some paintings, affiliate codes & links, health education resources etc) for those who would like other direct options: Cashapp is $LilyBunii Venmo is LilyGram

Over the years, I have tried endless medications, procedures, and therapies to manage my symptoms. While I have become more stable thanks to my current care team, my pain remains debilitating and extremely difficult to control which greatly impacts my day to day life.

I do have multiple other procedures and surgeries including ones for endometriosis, my bladder, and my colon that need to be done but they have been unfortunately more on the back burner due to the severity of my chronic spinal instability. The pain pump could also help with my recovery from other surgeries/ procedures that are inevitable. 

We also already have had to spend thousands on dental work due to the conditions breaking down my teeth. I have to get another extraction and filling ($1k) before I can finally pay for my dentures & get fitted ($600+). 

My comprehensive complex pain doctors have recommended that I get an intrathecal pain pump which is a surgically implanted device that delivers pain medication directly into the spinal fluid. The only pain medication my body can tolerate/ I’m not allergic to is morphine. This allows for more consistent, targeted relief using much lower doses and significantly reduces systemic side effects. Having a PCA morphine pain pump after one of my major surgeries was absolutely life changing and improved my pain astronomically. 

Because of my conditions and medication allergies, pain management is especially complicated. My pain is widespread, and surgeries carry additional risks and potential complications.

This procedure is not elective or cosmetic. It is medically necessary to improve my quality of life physically and mentally. Uncontrolled chronic pain affects every aspect of a person’s life.

My husband is able to provide our basic necessities, and we are not asking for help with rent, food, or immediate living expenses. Unfortunately due to strict income limits, I no longer qualify for state funded medical insurance. While we make just enough to get by each month, there is no realistic way for us to cover the full cost of this surgery on our own any time soon especially with my other medical/ dental expenses.

The lowest estimated out-of-pocket total is $23,720. If post-operative complications arise such as additional medications, longer stays, or further interventions the cost could be closer to $25,000+. The surgery cost is estimated based on conversations with the billing department. Final price may vary, but this is the projected amount needed to move forward. We are hoping to raise enough to safely cover potential complications. Any remaining funds will go directly toward post-operative appointments and required pump refills- refill appointments are $550.

What this pain pump could mean for me:

• A lower baseline level of pain, which means I can do more!

• More consistent, stable relief

• Fewer procedures and medications

• Improved independence and daily function

• Less strain on my heart and nervous system 

• A real chance to not live in constant, excruciating pain

We are determined to contribute as much as we can through work, art sales/ events, and brand collaborations. However, we still need help raising at least $20,000 in order to move forward with this medically necessary surgery within a timely manner to restore my quality of life as quickly as possible.

If you are able to give, thank you so much.

If you are not, that is completely okay sharing this campaign means just as much! Thank you all for being here.

We truly appreciate your support.

Update as of 3/17: Hi everyone! Thank you all endlessly for your support, after seeing my doctors today for a small surgical procedure on my spine- they desperately want me to get the pain pump implant surgery asap so I can avoid hospitalization for my pain 😭 but I do have to prepay before I can even schedule the surgery :( again this is a private specialist clinic not a hospital system so they’re allowed to do that. There are also 3 follow up appointments that are weekly after the surgery so I will be changing the goal amount to be a bit higher to account for any extra surgery costs & follow up appointments (as of rn the billing dept said it’s an estimate so I have to prepay their estimate then any additional costs afterwards). 

I wanted to put out a reminder/ notice that there are two raffles being held by super cool artists on my Instagram! So if you donate to the fundraiser - your donations can be included as an entry/entries to the raffles so make sure you check out all the details! 

Update as of 4/12: I am going back onto palliative care because I cannot get the specialist care I need for my complex health issues and it’s taking a toll on my body. I do still need to get my pain pump surgery to improve my quality of life and have less disabling pain <3 It feels like a bit of a step backwards in regards to everything but I’m just hopeful for symptom management at least :)

The campaign will be paid out to her husband Je Graham to then pay the billing office for Lilia’s surgery.