meal train for mads

howdy friends and family! here’s a little background on what’s going on: over the last 4 years, i’ve navigated multiple job changes which left me uninsured for large periods of time. but in november 2024, i finally got to meet with a pcp for the first time since 2020 and have bloodwork done! that bloodwork came back with high calcium and parathyroid hormone levels as well as severely low vitamin d. my pcp had me come back the next day for a second round of blood work to double check but the results were the same, pointing to primary hyperparathyroidism. the week after that appointment, i was laid off from my job and lost my health insurance (again). thankfully, my current employer provides great insurance and i’ve finally been able to follow up with an endocrinologist and ent surgeon. after lots of tests and scans, my care team has determined that the next step will be surgery. on 5/13/2026, i will be having a parathyroidectomy to correct the hyperparathyroidism. the procedure should be a quick outpatient surgery and if all goes as planned, my levels should return to normal almost immediately. however, i was initially under the impression that i would have a quick recovery and wouldn’t have to miss much work but after meeting with my surgeon, it’s looking like a much longer recovery time at a minimum of 4-6 weeks out of work. i’ve been at my current job long enough that ive been approved for fmla so my job is protected but my finances will be taking a hit with that much time off of work. i’ll receive short term disability but it will be about 30-40% of my usual pay given a good chunk of my income comes from cash tips. the little bit of short term disability pay i’ll get will go straight to rent, insurance, car payment, etc. so any help we can get with food would be one less thing to worry about! feel free to stop by with food, send a meal kit we can throw together, or a gift card we can use to order delivery. anything helps! other ways to help: - amazon wishlist for surgery recovery items - venmo donations (will go toward regular monthly expenses and medical bills) - send vibes, thoughts, and prayers ❤️‍🩹 - sharing this campaign!