07/28/2026
There have been a lot of questions lately asking when my surgery is, how I’m doing, and how people can help, so I wanted to share an update.
I officially have a date.
On August 13th, I’ll be having open heart surgery in Fairhope, Alabama to replace my aortic valve. My pre-op appointments and labs are scheduled for August 10th, and while I’m definitely nervous, I’m also incredibly grateful to finally have a plan.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been working nonstop to get our home ready for recovery. One of my biggest concerns was having a comfortable place for family to stay while they come help care for me after surgery.
Because of the unbelievable kindness of this community, that room is now ready.
Complete strangers donated a beautiful mattress and a box spring so we’d have a proper bed. My amazing friend Emily Satterfield spent her time helping pick everything up, hauling it to the house, and getting the guest room set up. I truly couldn’t have done it without her.
Another huge blessing is our sweet friend Ally, who has graciously offered to keep Bennie and Margeaux at her home while we’re in Fairhope. Knowing they’ll be safe, loved, and well cared for lifts such a huge weight off my shoulders.
Sometimes it’s the little acts of kindness that end up meaning the very most.
Another incredible act of generosity came from my sweet friend and cake bestie, Jess McBeth of Mississippi Mud’s Cakes. She took it upon herself to create a GoFundMe to help us through this season, and honestly… I still don’t have words for that kind of love.
She’s also been collecting tips to help us, and Papa Nuts has been doing the same. Their kindness will help offset the six to eight weeks I’ll be unable to work as a completely self-employed business owner, along with dental expenses, medical bills, travel, and other costs insurance simply doesn’t cover.
If you’d like to know more about what’s been going on, you can read our story in the GoFundMe.
Please don’t feel obligated to donate. Truly. Your love, encouragement, prayers, and messages have carried me through some incredibly hard days.
But if you would be willing to share the GoFundMe, it would mean the world to us. Sometimes sharing reaches someone who is able to help when you can’t, and that is just as valuable.
Learning at 58 years old that I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve has been life-changing. Add in Long COVID, POTS, MCAS, fibromyalgia, hereditary hemochromatosis, chronic inflammatory arthritis, migraines, and a few other diagnoses, and it’s been… a lot.
Still, I’ve continued to show up.
I’ve kept baking.
I’ve kept cleaning houses.
I’ve kept advocating.
I’ve kept loving on people.
Even on the days when I didn’t feel like I had anything left to give.
But now it’s time for me to do something that’s always been difficult…
It’s time to let other people love and care for me while I focus on healing.
So many of you have asked, “What can we do?”
If you’d like to help, here are a few ideas:
🩷 Share the GoFundMe.
🩷 Sign up for a meal or send a restaurant gift card.
🩷 Help with a Meal Train.
🩷 Walk the dogs or take them to the dog park once I’m home.
🩷 Help with light housekeeping.
🩷 Run an errand if needed.
🩷 Sit with me, watch movies, binge Interview with the Vampire, The Vampire Lestat (when it comes out!), Ted Lasso, or just keep me company.
🩷 Send a funny meme, a card, or a text to brighten a hard recovery day.
🩷 Most importantly, keep me in your prayers and positive thoughts.
Thank you for loving me.
Thank you for showing up for me.
Thank you for reminding someone who has spent a lifetime helping others that it’s okay to receive help too.
I love you all more than you’ll ever know. Here’s to a successful surgery, a smooth recovery, and getting back to doing what I love… serving hope, one slice at a time. ❤️
Hi, I'm Jess McBeth from Mississippi Mud's Cakes and I want to s… Jessica Mcbeth needs your support for Help Kimberly Heal and Return to Sugar Magnolia Cakery
