Ellie's Surgery Fund
Donation protected
Ellie was just 23 when she was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, marking the start of an ongoing struggle with multiple diseases that have made chronic pain and intense flare-ups a regular part of her life.
Now, 15 years later, Ellie is a single mother of two, and continues to fight her diseases with stubborn resilience. Her bright smile would make you think she's in perfect health, even though she's just been through a major surgery.
Ellie's Battle with Disease
The ulcerative colitis was found in 2005, and the next blow came four years later, when Ellie became very sick during her second pregnancy. She was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a disease of the liver and gallbladder caused by the chronic colon inflammation. At this point, the doctors said she would need a liver transplant within 10-15 years.
Last year, new and life-threatening developments came in the form of a large, precancerous polyp in her colon, and a type 1 choledochal cyst, which is in the main bile duct of the liver, and represents a high risk of cancer.
Because of the urgent threat posed by the polyp and other precancerous cells throughout her colon, Ellie had no choice but to have her colon entirely removed this October.
It's now been about three weeks since Ellie's colectomy, and her recovery is on-track. Though it hasn't been easy, and involves some difficult lifestyle changes, Ellie is as tenacious as ever, and keeps needing to be reminded to take it easy while she recovers.
The Financial Struggle
But now the financial weight of all these medical conditions is more overwhelming than ever. Already struggling to pay off debts from that past 15 years of operations, Ellie is facing another $30,000 out-of-pocket charge for the colectomy alone, and the choledochal cyst is yet to be addressed, likely requiring a liver transplant in the near future.
Still in the recovery period, Ellie will be unable to work for several more weeks, adding to the difficulty of paying not just her medical debts, but living expenses for herself and her 13-year-old daughter who lives with her.
Moving Forward
Ellie is driven by her passion to help people overcome health struggles like her own. She's incredibly knowledgeable in ways to treat, mitigate, and cope with the challenges of gut disease, and she uses her own experience to equip other people with better tools and information to fight their battles.
Our hope is to lift Ellie's financial burden, so that she can put her full energy into recovering swiftly and helping others do the same. Your donations will be used to pay off Ellie's debts, fill in the income gap while she is unable to work, and supplement everyday living costs for Ellie and her daughter.
Regardless of whether you're able to donate, we greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers for Ellie! Thank you!
Now, 15 years later, Ellie is a single mother of two, and continues to fight her diseases with stubborn resilience. Her bright smile would make you think she's in perfect health, even though she's just been through a major surgery.
Ellie's Battle with Disease
The ulcerative colitis was found in 2005, and the next blow came four years later, when Ellie became very sick during her second pregnancy. She was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a disease of the liver and gallbladder caused by the chronic colon inflammation. At this point, the doctors said she would need a liver transplant within 10-15 years.
Last year, new and life-threatening developments came in the form of a large, precancerous polyp in her colon, and a type 1 choledochal cyst, which is in the main bile duct of the liver, and represents a high risk of cancer.
Because of the urgent threat posed by the polyp and other precancerous cells throughout her colon, Ellie had no choice but to have her colon entirely removed this October.
It's now been about three weeks since Ellie's colectomy, and her recovery is on-track. Though it hasn't been easy, and involves some difficult lifestyle changes, Ellie is as tenacious as ever, and keeps needing to be reminded to take it easy while she recovers.
The Financial Struggle
But now the financial weight of all these medical conditions is more overwhelming than ever. Already struggling to pay off debts from that past 15 years of operations, Ellie is facing another $30,000 out-of-pocket charge for the colectomy alone, and the choledochal cyst is yet to be addressed, likely requiring a liver transplant in the near future.
Still in the recovery period, Ellie will be unable to work for several more weeks, adding to the difficulty of paying not just her medical debts, but living expenses for herself and her 13-year-old daughter who lives with her.
Moving Forward
Ellie is driven by her passion to help people overcome health struggles like her own. She's incredibly knowledgeable in ways to treat, mitigate, and cope with the challenges of gut disease, and she uses her own experience to equip other people with better tools and information to fight their battles.
Our hope is to lift Ellie's financial burden, so that she can put her full energy into recovering swiftly and helping others do the same. Your donations will be used to pay off Ellie's debts, fill in the income gap while she is unable to work, and supplement everyday living costs for Ellie and her daughter.
Regardless of whether you're able to donate, we greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers for Ellie! Thank you!
Organizer and beneficiary
Tyler Barnes
Organizer
Boise, ID
Ellie Silveria
Beneficiary