Alesha Griffith's Fund

My name is Alesha Griffith. I am 28 years old and a mother of two children. My children are ages 8 and 5 their father and I have been together for 13 years. I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease at age 15. Crohn's Disease is an auto immune disease that affects your digestive system, nutrition intake, inflammation markers through out your whole body and many other things. Crohn's Disease is a crohnic illness and has no cure. There are many painful and yucky symptoms  associated with Crohn's disease.Crohn's disease symptoms are diariah, blood in your stool, painful bowel movements, crohnic stomach pain, food intolerance, painful digestion, extreme fatigue, joint pain, headaches, anemia, vitamin defenciencies, skin rashes, higher risks of colon cancer, a weakened immune system causes many problems and I get sick easily, depression due to having a crohnic illness and then many more. All of these things cause a mountain of issues that grow on top of each other and as many of you may know that not even including medications and their side affects.  I have been on an immune suppressant medication called Remicade for the last 13 years. In November of 2014 my Crohn's became debilitating and I spent 10 days in the hospital due to exasperated symptoms. Since then my doctors and I have been battling to control the disease. I have been to  The Cleveland Clinic for supportive medical advice along with doctors in Indianapolis and my current doctors at Parkview Hospital.My gastroenterologist has tried several different treatments and my body is continuing to not respond to treatment at the pace that we would all like. Unfortunately, I found out recently that I have to have a bowel resection surgery. This surgery will allow my body to have a fresh start and allow the medications I am on to better control the disease.   The surgery was originally scheduled in April but a few days before hand it was cancelled. The surgeon fears my body isn't capable of healing itself right now. Surgery is now scheduled for July 9th.. I will be in the hospital for approximately 5 to 7 days and will be off of work for 8 to 12 weeks afterwards. I am on several medications and vitamins daily to help combat the disease and help reduce some of my symptoms. The main medication I am receiving is called Remicade and it is an intravenous medication I receive outpatient at the hospital. I recieve the medication thru a port that I have that was surgically implanted in 2011 shortly after I had my first bowel surgery.  I have not been able to work due to my symptoms since November of 2014. As of right now it doesn't appear as though I will be medically cleared to return to work until mid October. I currently have health insurance but am struggling financially with general living expenses, medical copays and prescription costs.  I am asking for assistance because I feel it’s one of few choices I have at this time. I am hoping for a great recovery from surgery so that I can have a happier and healthier life. I want to be able to spend more quality time with my family and friends. I want to be able to return to work as a Mental Health Technician at  Parkview Behavioral Health in Fort Wayne Indiana. I have always lived my life by the quote “Be the change you wish to see in this world”. I have always struggled to ask for help from others but am always willing to help those around me. Due to these circumstances I now have to allow those around me to help instead.