Help Fund Carly's Breast Reduction Recovery

***4/19/23 UPDATE***

Hello everyone!

I am a little over the halfway mark of the initial recovery period. I feel a huge weight off my chest and back! I am feeling really good, but the surgery pain has sort of plateaued -- I can't wait for the day when I don't feel a deep burning in my chest. I've got a bit of cabin fever, but prioritizing rest has made a huge difference in the ease of my recovery from this procedure. Being able to rest fully during this time is inspiring me for when I get back to making art full-time.

I raised my initial goal a couple of weeks ago to include one month of living expenses, and I want to share the basic details of my budget since I'll still need to cover these expenses due to being out of work for six weeks.

$1150 Rent

$300 Health + car insurance

$400 Groceries + food $400

$200 CPS bill

$2050 Total

I'm sending DEEP GRATITUDE to everyone who donated to get me to my initial $1400 goal - y'all seriously changed my life. Being able to get this surgery has meant so much to me and I'm already feeling so much better.

I would still like to reach my extended goal of $3400, so let's do one last big push and get the word out! Please share with friends and fam. And for the folks who have donated so far, send me a message with your name and address because I'd love to send you a thank you card.

So much love,

CARLY

***3/28/23 UPDATE***

We have hit our initial goal of $1400 to cover my out of pocket max for the surgery! THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of you for making this happen for me. I’m at home resting up and I feel so relieved that I’ll be able to cover my medical bills with these funds.

I’m raising our goal by $2000 to cover rent, utilities, and groceries for the next six weeks while I take time off work to recover. This will relieve a lot of stress for me as my body heals!

Thank you for being such an essential part of this special time in my life.

Carly

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My name is Carly and I'm finally getting my breast reduction!!!

As far back as I can remember, my boobs have been big and my back has been in pain. I've fantasized about getting a breast reduction for the better part of a decade, if not longer. And lately, I've been feeling like my big boobs just don't fit my gender identity, which skews closer to nonbinary on the spectrum.

I'm finally on a good insurance plan and I have a steady job that will let me take the leave of absence I need to get this done.

That said, my job is low-paying and part-time, and I've been scraping by pretty nervously like most people I know. If I didn't receive Covid relief funds last year, I don't know how I would have made my bills.

In February I also had to get major work done on my car, which took $1400 out of my recovery budget. My surgery itself is going to cost me approximately the same amount of money (~$1375) and I'll be out of work for six weeks. I'm taking a big risk financially by taking this much time off of work to recover, so I'm worried.

Asking for help is hard for me, but I'm asking for your support now, to help me recover from this major surgery that will change my life and mean so much to me.

I go into surgery on Friday.

Wish me luck, and see you on the other side!

-Carly