Hi, I’m Elanor — a mom, tattoo artist, and someone who’s been fighting hard to build a meaningful life while living with chronic pain and treatment-resistant mental illness.
In 2020, doctors found a large benign tumor wrapped around my spinal cord. It had compressed over 60% of my cervical spine, and I had to undergo a major spinal fusion from C1 to C5. After surgery, I had to relearn how to walk and use my hands again. While the surgery saved my life, it also left me with lasting damage: myelopathy, neuropathy, lower spinal stenosis, and severe chronic pain that I still live with daily.
I also live with major depressive disorder and severe anxiety. On their own, either condition would be overwhelming. Together, they’ve made surviving — let alone thriving — a constant uphill battle.
In 2022, I started IV ketamine infusion therapy, and for the first time in years, I felt relief. My pain dropped from a daily baseline of 6 to a 2–3, and my mental health stabilized in a way nothing else had ever managed to do. I wasn’t numb or medicated into silence — I felt clear-headed, present, and more me than I’d been in years. It was the only treatment that ever made me feel truly functional.
In 2023, I made the hard decision to pause treatment so I could pursue my dream of becoming a tattoo artist. I had just begun working in permanent makeup, which transitioned into full tattooing in 2024 — something I’m deeply passionate about. At the time, I didn’t fully realize how much ketamine had been helping. The relief had become my new normal, and I had forgotten how bad the pain used to be.
I also knew that financially, I couldn’t prioritize the cost of treatment while launching my career. So I made the sacrifice. I tried other pain management routes — massage, dry needling, physical therapy, medications — but none of them gave me the kind of physical and mental stability that ketamine did.
Now, over a year since my last infusion in March 2023, I feel the toll it’s taken. I’m still early in my tattoo career and while I’m getting more business (which I’m grateful for) the physical demands are hard on my body. I want to keep showing up — for my work, for my kids, for myself — but I need help to get back to that place where it’s sustainable again.
Ketamine infusions aren’t covered by insurance. Each session costs between $400–600, and to regain the progress I had, I need a short re-induction series (2–4 infusions) followed by maintenance every 3–6 months — a schedule that worked beautifully for me in the past.
Spravato (the nasal spray version) is sometimes covered, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work for me. I need IV ketamine therapy — the only thing that’s ever given me consistent, effective relief.
⸻
Why Ketamine?
• Up to 70% of people with treatment-resistant depression experience rapid, lasting relief
• It’s shown significant benefits for chronic pain, especially neuropathic and central pain
• It’s non-addictive, non-sedating, and allows me to stay alert, creative, and emotionally present
⸻
I’m not asking for a miracle. I just want to keep moving forward. To be able to work more, create more, and show up fully for the life I’ve worked so hard to build.
If you’re able to donate, your support goes directly toward getting me back into this life-saving treatment. And if you can’t donate, just sharing this makes a huge difference too.
With your help, I hope to get back to a healthy baseline — mentally and physically — so I can keep building the life I’ve fought for, and one day be in the place to carry this cost on my own.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for believing in me.
With love and gratitude,
Elanor
