Allison’s Surgery Relief Fund

Hi, my name is Allyson! I met my best friend, also named Allison (don’t miss that i/y distinction!) when she joined the team at Nashoba Club Pizza & Taproom with me in 2018. I may have initially suggested that I bring enough “Allyson” into the place and we don’t need more… but, we absolutely do and I was wrong, this girl became my rock over the last 6 years and I can’t imagine surviving a Friday double without her now. As server/bartenders, Allison and I are very grateful for the generosity the community has shown us over the years. The relationships built with regulars has been a lifeline on bad days. There’s always the bar regular venting to the bartender, but we’re fortunate for the ones that allow the unofficial therapy session to go both ways. Allison has an electric personality, her enthusiasm and silly stories have grown her quite the following.

Allison has been battling with her health for decades, but it all really started to crash down about a year and a half ago when severe abdominal pain had her leaving work in an ambulance. She was later diagnosed with Renal Vein Entrapment Syndrome, more commonly referred to as Nutcracker Syndrome, a rare vein compression disorder. It occurs when arteries, most often the abdomen's aorta and superior mesenteric artery, squeeze the left renal (kidney) vein causing debilitating issues with circulation and the function of that kidney. Blood pools in the lower half of her body, making standing for long periods of time and conquering a flight of stairs seem victorious. As you can imagine, it’s been a long road to treatment as a bartender in a three-story building. She is scheduled today, March 1st, for Renal Vein Transposition via Laparotomy, to move her left renal vein so it attaches to her inferior vena cava at a different location. This allows her renal vein to avoid traveling between her superior mesenteric artery and her aorta to reopen blood flow. Recovery for this procedure is estimated to take 2-3 months, more likely the longer road for a physically demanding job like fast-paced restaurant work. As we know, bartenders rely heavily on tips and supplemental pay for her missed time at work will only go so far.

She is a single mother of four kids, ranging from age 4 to 15. I think we all know raising little humans into adults is a battle within itself, let alone without this “village” we hear exists for some mothers. Now adding a 12 week major-surgery recovery to the mix, with a significant income loss, this spicy independent momma can only get so far without help.

We are grateful for any donation of any amount to help get through to the beginning of summertime when Allison will be able to return to work and catch back up. Thank you in advance and keep your fingers crossed for my buddy today ❤️