Christina's road to recovery medical bills support

Hi, my name is Christina, some who have grown up with me know me as Tina. Last month on Friday, September 2, 2022 I came home from work and noticed a rash on my ankle. I automatically assumed it was a rash I could have caught from my place of employment since I am a school teacher or maybe a minor bug bite from being outside that day. I brushed it off as no biggie. Flash forward to Monday, September 5th, 2022 I had red spots and a rash over almost my entire body. The only place not covered on my body is my face, chest and back. The rash was very red, painful with swelling.

I went to Urgent Care and was diagnosed with Vasculitis. I have never heard of Vasculitis before and was told it is inflammation of the blood vessels. The inflammation can cause the walls of the blood vessels to thicken, which reduces the width of the passageway through the vessel. If blood flow is restricted it can result in organ and tissue damage. They immediately told me do not google Vasculitis and freak out when you see the pictures and the information on this rare disease. I immediately said, I am already freaked out, I have spots, rash and pain all over my entire body. I ended up in the ER the next day due to rash was extremely painful and it spread along with having trouble breathing. I was referred to a Dermatologist where a skin biopsy was taken to determine the cause and treatment plan for the future. It is going on four weeks and my results are not back in yet.

The reality is I am very scared. This is why I am raising funds for myself. I have health insurance, but even with my health insurance my medications/prescriptions and medical bills are still expensive and I see the doctor every week. My body is not really responding much to the strong medications and they are trying different things to see which can help alleviate my pain and discomfort. I have had this painful rash on my body for over a month and I literally want to scratch my skin off. The amount of pain I have endured is indescribable. Since falling ill, I have my good and bad days. I am very weak sometimes and have pain where I am not able to work as much anymore. I am not physically able to handle it. Those that know me know I am a very hard worker. Since I am physically not able it is hard for me to work somedays. Mentally and physically this has been extremely hard on me. You are living life one day and all of the sudden your life changes in an instant. I do not know what is in store for my future until my skin biopsy comes back and the remainder of my bloodwork but I am scared.

Currently, there is no cure for Vasculitis. I research more and more on it every single day and I have joined a Vasculitis support group for people like me for suggestions on trying to live a normal life and to help alleviate pain. I also started this fund so I can alleviate some stress with upcoming medical bills/prescriptions as I am not physcially able to work as much at the moment. Any donation will assist me tremendously. I pray every single day for healing. I just want to feel normal again. I pray a cure is found one day and more people become aware of Vasculitis. It is very debilitating and I cry almost every single day. I will fight and stay strong. I have been through a lot in my life. So, I know I can get through this!

Thank you for your support and prayers.

Love,

Christina