Mel's Hospital Bills

Hey, everyone. It's Clare from The Imperial Senate Podcast. Charlie, Nicky, and I wanted to put this together because someone we care deeply for needs help.

Melanie Gajewski has been my best friend for nearly 15 years. She is one of the most incredible, kind, hilarious, charming, and loving people I have had the honor to have in my life. She's my soulmate, my roommate, and one of the most lovable people I have ever met. This year Mel accompanied me to Star Wars Celebration, and my worlds collided in the best possible way. Mel immediately became a part of the ISP family (Emperor Melpatine). Charlie, Nicky, and I love her dearly; she means the world to us. And not only has she become a friend of the pod, but she has also become a contributor to our reaction videos. We could not have asked for a better addition to our team. In every video, you can see her heart on her sleeve. She is never afraid to hide her emotions, whether watching these fictional characters on screen or with any character she comes in contact with in the real world, even if she met you earlier that day! (I know many of you who met her at SWCA can attest to that!) She is one of a kind, radiant, wonderful human who never puts herself first. So we are here to do that for her.

Last Friday night, Mel came home from work with intense back and chest pain. Through thenight, that pain intensified and she began to have difficulty breathing. She was feverish, in intense pain, and unable to catch her breath. In the morning she went to the ER, and they admitted her later that day. As of now, we know that she is experiencing some kind of lung injury that has caused her lungs to fill with fluid. This fluid has increased the pressure in her chest significantly and is causing intense pain. The fluid began to seep into her abdomen, and it is causing some damage to her upper GI as well. We do not know at this time the extent of that damage.

As of the time I am writing this (Friday 9/23) Mel is on her seventh day in the hospital. We do not know how much longer she will be inpatient, just that it will probably be a few more days. After she is discharged, she will need significant day-to-day assistance, and will not be able to get back. to work for a good time while she recovers. Furthermore, she works in a commission-based field and being out of work will impact her significantly.

Please, if you have the means, help Mel get back on her feet again. By helping ease the financial burden of her situation, she can focus her energy where it belongs: on the long recovery ahead. She is truly one of a kind. We love her dearly and we know that the love and kindness she shows everyone is infectious. We would appreciate your assistance because she deserves to know how much of a bright light she is, and she deserves to have some of that shine back her way as well.

Thank you.