To help Bree's Nasal Polyps removal operation

Hello Family, Friends, Colleagues, Students and wonderful Strangers.

My name is Bree (Gabrielle) Smith and I am a Musical Theatre performer, choreographer and teacher. I love all things performing. But I need your HELP in order to keep my career and quality of life going. Many of you will know about my battle with my Nasal polyps over the last three years. Nasal polyps are soft, noncancerous growths that can develop in the nose or sinuses. The symptoms that I have had from having nasal polyps are; getting a cold often due to constant mucus dripping, lack of sleep due to mouth breathing, headaches due to also having sinusitis, increased allergies, loosing taste and smell for up to 14 days at a time (This happens to me at least 4/5 times per year), breathing struggles amongst many other symptoms. Some nights I barely get 4 hours sleep, this drastically affects my day to day life.

As most of you know I like to do things myself and I am very strong willed and independent. I like to help other people. However it has come to the point where I NEED to ask for your HELP and for me to be VULNERABLE. I cannot wait any longer! I have been on the NHS waiting list for almost TWO years now after first being diagnosed however the symptoms started well before my diognosis. After begging my doctor to write an email to expedite my operation I was told in June 2024 that my surgery will be done within 6 months. I called again 3 weeks ago to check upon this date as I haven’t had a pre-op or anything and I was told that I am still another 37 weeks away! Safe to say I broke down crying on the phone! I just can’t wait that long! I have been on numerous different steroid nasal sprays from my GP and ENT. I sleep with a humidifier on, I sleep with a nasal opener on, I nasal douche, I steam, I take anti- inflammatorys but nothing is working!

So I have decided to set up this go fund me page so that I can get the surgery done privately. The procedure takes approximately 3 hours and they will remove all the polyps that are blocking my nasal passages (which there are many) and I will be able to fully breath again out of two nostrils! The recovery time is 2 weeks where I can’t work or do exercise. After this I will be able to be back on my feet again doing what I love. Some of you will not know the struggles I have been through with this because on social media I try to be as positive as possible and don’t often show my struggles.

Privately I have been quoted almost £8,000 to go through this process. From initial consultation to completing surgery and recovery time. If I raise all of this I will be able to get this surgery done by my birthday (28th Feb). This would just mean the world to me and would be the best birthday gift!

I appreciate you reading all of this and I appreciate your donation. I will log all of my appointments and keep you updated with consultations, surgery and after care on this page. If you would like to donate even £5 (a cup of coffee) that would help me immensely. I understand times are hard and if you can’t donate please could you share this on your social media so that someone else can see it that might have the means to donate.

Thank you so much for your generosity in advance.

God bless you all, Merry Christmas

Bree Smith