Support Rachel's Medical Challenges and Recovery

Almost an Emergency, and Heading Towards Recovery!

Medical issues for Rachel Kadushin preventing her from working.

In January 2024 Rachel was able to fairly easily walk about 16 blocks at a time for errands, or stairs and subway combined with city blocks and hills.

When Rachel's dearest friend, Lisa died in March 2024 her part-time job was taking care of Lisa, including setting up her many doctor's visits, accompanying her, daily care and emotional support.

The payment from the agency was keeping things going, while Rachel also did freelance work in media production, writing coaching, and graphic design.

At the time, Rachel had the same respiratory virus that Lisa was suffering from, that she believes was picked up in the foot clinic that Lisa was attending after Lisa's successful foot surgery.

What Rachel didn't know was that her own prior mild auto-immune disease diagnosis was on the verge of becoming stage 4, and that her prior late on-set menopause was going to activate to such a degree that she was going to need her uterus and ovaries removed as soon as possible.

The good news is that now that Rachel has these two diagnoses both are treatable and have started to be treated by field experts. The auto-immune disease take about 3 months to turn around and Rachel is one month into cutting edge and proven treatment.

UPDATED October 22, 2024: It is now been three months and there is a slight increase in mobility and ability to sleep -- but still a long way from getting healthy enough considering other medical issues.

Rachel's family clinic gyno doctor referred her to the best oncology women's department in Brooklyn, and after cancer risks were evaluated, she was scheduled to have day surgery on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, but it was postponed to October 30th, 2024, as another health issue - blood related - showed up in her blood test.

From July 25th to about September 25th, Rachel was plagued by cramps most days at a 6 to 8 level on the pain meter (with 10 being the worst, and 1 being almost not pain). Flow was heavy until about October 5th and then settled to medium or low, with fewer incidents of cramps, but as of October 22nd 2024, it is still going.

Recovery from the main operation takes about three to eight weeks to recover to be able to do work.

Before then, everything is at a "near emergency level," although Rachel is open to accepting work or options on existing material prepared for production, no guarantees that any work can be done until six weeks after the operation as a starting point.

That said, it is possible for Rachel to start some work based on script evaluation, editing, or graphic design on a case by case basis.

Just about every day after 2 weeks after Lisa's passing, Rachel had wanted to start a combo memorial fundraiser and paying back money that Rachel had laid out for Lisa. This is not it. Rachel's energy and health tanked, despite her wishes. That one can't be started until Rachel has recovered.

The fundraising goal represents $2000 net expenses per month for August, September, October, and November although more would be appreciated, as there has been no income since March 2024; and Rachel's rent share went up after LIsa passed.

Rachel's mother had emergency fibroid hospitalization, and this is the second time Rachel has had super-super-fibroid period.

The last time was 2 years ago and included 21 days of heavy flow. She started this one on July 25th 2024 and it is still going.

Rachel's surgeon wants her to have as few surgeries as possible, so she is staying at home except for doctor's visits until surgery.

Some people have asked her why she didn't have a D & C first, this information from the surgeon, and all of the other specialists indicate that Rachel is at moderate risk (instead of low risk) for any surgeries with full anesthesia.

Help support Rachel and contribute to her not getting cancer, or if cancer is discovered after the full removal of body parts (the sampling was not cancerous), help prevent possible cancer from spreading.

Rachel is grateful to family who have been helping out with rent, and this helps to keep her ask from friends and the general public as low as possible.

Rachel is grateful to roommates who have been picking up some of the slack for one less person around to pay rent and utilities.

Rachel is grateful to all who help - even if to just spread the word, consider employing her, or considering optioning or qualified investing in projects ready to go. Some are with partners, so there is not a direct amount that can be discussed here.

Updated on February 18, 2025

Now, it is about both maintaining health and continuing with wellness. There will be a separate update with today's date with more information. Basically, I've lost 30 pounds that were gained between Early June 2024 and Pre-Surgery. I'm one pound lower than early June 2024. Still have a ways to go.

Mobility is improved -- Edema is gone, but still wearing compression socks. Sitting usually doesn't hurt - walking and standing can start hurting in as little as 2 minutes, if I'm still carrying things - on a good day 8 to 10 minutes.

Sleeping and Energy are improved, but not enough for full time work. Even part time is iffy as of today.

Funds have been used for food, over the counter health supplies, transportation, utilities, rent and living.

Edited on September 3rd 2024

Edited again on October 22, 2024

Edited the third on February 18, 2025