💜 UPDATE ON MY SISTER & OUR FAMILY: 💜
My sister is still in the ICU and has a long road of recovery and treatment ahead of her. She can talk a little and move some, but she is still extremely weak.
Once she is able to leave the hospital, we’ve been told she will likely need to spend 1–2 months in rehab to work on walking again, rebuilding her strength, and recovering from brain surgery.
The surgeons were able to remove the tumor except for one area that was simply too dangerous to touch. She will be meeting with oncology in the coming days to determine the best course of treatment for what remains—whether that means medication, chemotherapy, radiation, or another treatment plan.
A HUGE and heartfelt THANK YOU to Dr. Bi and the team at Mass General Brigham for taking care of my baby sister through such an incredibly scary surgery. ❤️
Her kiddos are thankfully in good spirits. The two littlest ones 2 years old and 5 months old just want their mommy and don't understand where she is, which is heartbreaking. 💔 Right now, my mom and I are caring for the kids at my sister's house, where they are most comfortable and can stay in familiar surroundings while Mommy gets stronger.
I also want to say THANK YOU to the few of you who have donated to help me through this. It means more than you know. ❤️
Thankfully, both my mom and my sister have traditional 9–5 jobs that provide paid leave, and they are currently receiving 100% of their regular pay while they are out. That is an enormous blessing and one less thing for our family to worry about right now.
My situation is different.
Being a small content creator means I don't have paid family leave, sick time, vacation days, or PTO when a family emergency happens. When I can't work or do my regular shows, I simply don't earn what I normally would.
I know there are people who don't consider content creation a “real job,” and you're entitled to that opinion but I respectfully disagree.
I've worked my entire life, including while growing up in foster care, and eventually had a career in corrections. I didn't choose to become sick after COVID. I didn't choose to lose so much of my mobility or to live with serious and painful health problems. Some of those struggles I've shared publicly, while others I've chosen to keep private.
I also have children of my own to care for, including a child living with an incredibly rare terminal illness. When my own health changed, my realistic choices were to go on disability and try to survive on roughly $1,000 a month, or find something I could do from home that allowed me to work around my health and my family's needs.
I chose content creation.
It allows me to change my schedule at a moment's notice, work when my body allows me to, stop when the pain becomes too much, be there for my children, and avoid childcare costs that I simply couldn't afford.
This isn't the life or health I planned for. At times, illness and chronic pain have already made me feel like pieces of the life I once had were taken from me. I found something I could do within the circumstances I was given, and I've worked hard to build it.
For those who understand that, thank you. ❤️ For those who don't, it is what it is. You're entitled to your opinion.
Right now, my regular shows are going to be anything BUT regular for a while. I'm helping my mom care for my sister's children while still having bills to pay, groceries to buy, and my own household and children to take care of.
So yes, I need all the help I can get right now. If you're in a position to help, even a few dollars genuinely makes a difference:
💚 Cash App: $skye3188
💙 Venmo: @Skye3188
💚 Chime: $Skye3188
💜 Revolut: @Skye3188
☕ Buy Me a Coffee:
buymeacoffee.com/untwisted
📦 Amazon Wishlist:
amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3O…
If you can't donate, PLEASE don't feel like you have to. Sharing this post, saying a prayer, or simply sending my sister, her babies, my mom, me, and our entire family all the healing vibes, strength, and love you can is more than enough. 🙏💜
Thank you so much. I love and appreciate you all.
It has been an incredibly hard week, and there is still a very long road ahead. For now, we're taking it one day at a time. 💜
Xoxo,
Elise