Crayfish Empire LLC

04/03/2024

Shortened a 10 minute update to 2.5 minutes because of Meta Business time restrictions. There is so much more to share!

I wanted to give an update, because there haven't been any as of late. First, the website will be open later today after I finish a doctor's appointment.

I'm doing my best to work on production, get the checkout back open, and eventually get back to communications. (Messages, emails, etc.) The largest reason I haven't responded to any messages or emails is that I'm stressed to the max by them. Avoiding them helped avoid higher blood pressure, which helped maintain lower pain levels. But now I just have to face the music. I'm frustrated that I couldn't muster the strength or courage to dive into that sooner.

I really appreciate everyone's support from donations, to help, and kind words. After multiple rounds of getting knocked to the ground the last few years, I'm setting expectations to help prevent these from happening again. (To begin taking care of one's self will probably help a LOT.)

24/01/2024

Unfortunately, Crayfish Empire LLC's checkout has been closed to provide me time off my feet, and reduce a lot of stress. It was not a decision I made lightly. I've had my bouts of frustration and being upset with it. Without being able to see the doctor in a timely manner, and knowing that recovery will be even longer, it was a decision that had to be made to prevent further injury, and provide my body an opportunity to rest and heal what it can.

Mystery Snail Guardians and Scottie Schmidt knew I needed help. I finally broke and wanted to at least try and fundraise. I know I'll have a lot of medical costs coming up, and I have to pay for what's already been done. Physical therapy is going to be a huge expense, along with bathroom hardware to keep me independent and safe. Medications, transit costs between appointments, getting help in case of surgeries, braces/casts, and having nearly 0 income are just a portion of the consequences that will cost me in the next few months. MSG and Scottie, I appreciate you for helping me clear this hurdle. ❤

Some things that would really help me through this period are opportunities I can help the community while I'm laid up, and patience while I can't do production. Once I fulfill the rest of the pending orders, there isn't much I can do to fill the hole Crayfish Empire's absence will make.

If you do donate or even share the GoFundMe link, I would really appreciate the support. I still can't believe what's been raised in the last 36 hours. I don't know if I could ever do anything that could fully return the support I have received and will receive in the future.

Thank you MSG, the FishFam.Link community, family, friends, and the aquatic community for the donations already (monetary, mobility hardware, foods, and availability to help). I am indebted to you, and I hope I can return the favor sooner than later.

At the end of 2023, Grant's left knee began to fail, clicking an… Mystery Snail Guardians needs your support for Support Grant During Knee Injury Recovery

22/01/2024

I closed the checkout for the website by removing shipping options. This will be temporary until my leg improves. The good leg is getting more unstable each day.

Some imaging ruled out some stuff, but the issue itself is still undiagnosed. With the appointment in February, I know I can't keep up on production and orders on my legs right now. On good days I'm pain free, but I'm also not moving anywhere.

Currently placed orders I'm still working on, but at a slower pace. I got help restocking the shipping room this weekend, but there are holes everywhere on the shelf.

I don't know how long I'll keep the checkout closed. For now, it is to keep my knees from feeling worse. Depending on treatment, it may be longer.

17/01/2024

Recovery is coming along. I've had a clear enough mind today to begin catching up. It's been difficult to do anything while bogged down by the mental and physical fatigue I've dealt with the last couple of weeks.

Tentatively, I'll see a specialist sometime in February. The surgeon is booked really far out, but I was squeezed in sooner to get checked out. For now I'm catching up on messages as far back as Dec, then exploring how well I can work on production alone with crutches. A lot of changes will be made to the production setups to provide a way to sit.

I really appreciate everyone's support during this, and I'm looking forward to having all of my ducks in a row again soon. :)

05/01/2024

Orders placed currently will have a delay in getting out, and the near future has a large degree of uncertainty. One day the knee hurt, the next it was useless.

Compared to when I've been sick with respiratory stuff, I can still do production and fulfillment as soon as I brainstorm a way to do it safely. Currently the cause of the knee swelling, pain, and locking are still being "investigated," but running into red tape and booked out specialists.

Stairs and standing are my largest enemies now. As swelling and pain goes down, and my crutch agility improves again, things will return to normal slowly until everything's healed.

25/12/2023

I set some cookies out for Santa tonight!