Elizabeth’s Surgery for Crohn's

Hi there, my name is Elizabeth Melton and in August 2023, I received emergency surgery and had an Ostomy placed. I have Crohn’s Disease, which is an Autoimmune Disease with no cure, and it destroyed my entire large intestine requiring them to remove it completely. An Ostomy, or as I refer to mine, Stomie, is a portion of my small intestine that is on the outside of my body, which acts as the end of my digestive system. Now this surgery was a success and I have begun a brand new life, free of the pain that I lived in before. I am very grateful. But, I was very ill at the time of my surgery and my weak body had already been under anesthesia for almost 8 hours so my surgeons decided to close up even though they were not done. My second surgery has always been in the books to be done anytime in the next year BUT in the last few weeks my health situation has once again changed and my surgery is now deemed mandatory and has been scheduled for JANUARY 9, 2024. That’s right around the corner.

This year was tough on me and the people in my life who generously supported me, so I’m hoping to be able to reach out and ask for a little help from many versus putting all the weight on my direct family once again. I lost my job due to being hospitalized too many times back in June, had surgery in July, and post recovery started working but I am still left with a few financial problems.

1. Upfront cost of my upcoming surgery- since it’s happening in January I will have no longer met my insurance deductible/out of pocket so I will have a substantial amount due.

2. Recovery is going to take 2 months which means I will not be able to work during that time but I’ll still need to cover my bills.

3. Medical debt from multiple hospital visits in 2023 and first surgery.

I wish I still had savings left to figure this out on my own but that was depleted quickly from medical cost in the beginning of the year. So I’m reaching out to anyone with a giving heart and the means to donate and I’m asking for a little help. I know, there’s definitely people out there who might need it more but, the weight of this is heavy and I really don’t have a choice other than to face it.

My goal is $10,000 to pay upfront surgical cost and living costs during recovery and $10,000 for my medical debt from 2023. Now I know that’s a lot and I don’t expect to reach that goal but I’m reaching for the stars. The pile of pink medical statements in the corner of my room could use the help but they aren’t the priority at this moment.

So that’s a bit about me and my story and why I’m asking for your help. Please if you can donate it would bless me for years to come and if you can’t a share of this directly with anyone who you believe could help would be great! l’d appreciate any help!

I’d like to end this with a big thank you to anyone who read this whether you are capable of donating or not. And a huge thank you to anyone who was able to help me through this challenging time in my life.

Our lives are so fragile and everyday is a gift so I hope you all strive to find the beauty in each day you walk this Earth even though I know everyday we all face challenges.

Thank you all, much love ❤️