Lea's Medical Bills & Living Expenses

12/30/2020 UPDATE:

Pending insurance approval, I'll be going back to the hospital on the 5th for yet another clear out of my abscess, and to have the drain replaced (the last one came out on its own, oh boy). They'll also be placing a other feeding tube while they have me under, since the last one deflated and came out on its own. A clear sign my body is ready for all this to be over? Unhappily that message hasn't been shared with all of my system. If, while they're in there, and they need to, they will replace the esophageal stent. 

I'll be back on Jevity (out of pocket), and continuing my IV meds (out of pocket), plus carrying any out of pocket expenses from the surgery itself. In addition I have multiple daily dressing changes, which means I go through A LOT of very pricy wound care supplies. I'll be out of work still, for at least a month, more likely longer, and I'm asking for your help and generosity again. Please consider donating, if you can, and if not, please share my posts on social media. Thank you! 

Update: I found myself back in the hospital this past Saturday, via the ER. I had a terrible infection in my abdomen and had to have another surgery to clear it out, close up the existing wound from the first surgery, and place another JP drain. That surgery was Tuesday.

 

The following day, yesterday, I had a second procedure. The surgeon placed a stent in my esophagus just where it joins my stomach. This is to allow the tear in my stomach to heal, while protecting my abdomen from gathering more fluid and being reinfected. Unfortunately he was unable to use a clamp on the tear; he could see it, but the placement meant he couldn't reach it to do so. The surgeon estimates another two months approximately for the tear to heal, although it could of course take more time. 

Today I had another procedure, a minor one in comparison. They placed a PICC line to allow me long-term delivery of antibiotics. I will have to be on an antibiotic and an anti-fungal multiple times per day for at least the next several weeks, possibly longer. 

Between my healing incision, my drain, the infection, the antibiotics, and the feeding tube which is still in place, I'm not able to go back to work. In addition, during this wave of increased Covid cases, I'm at risk, and to return to working with the public would be dangerous. 

I've already been out of work since late September and I'm running out of the funds which people so kindly donated to me previously. Worry over money, stress over leaving my coworkers shorthanded, mixed with a huge increase in my anxiety disorder and depression have left me feeling fragile, burdened and vulnerable. 

I hate to ask again for your help, but I am rapidly running out of money to pay for medical needs and living expenses. I know with the holidays approaching and so many people working fewer hours or with coronavirus-related money worries of their own, this is a tough time to ask for donations. But any amount you can spare, be it as little as $5 really helps me and it adds up. Knowing I can pay my bills and afford to keep getting my antibiotics and Jevity (feeding tube solution), both of which are not covered by my insurance, is more relieving than you can possibly imagine. Take a moment to think about not being able to pay for the "food" you need to keep alive, the antibiotics you need to keep from succumbing to infection, sepsis, and even death without more emergency medical intervention. 

This might sound dramatic, but it's something I have to fear, and face. It's this that gives me the courage to ask again for help. Like most of us, I'm more comfortable with giving than receiving. As I mentioned to a friend just today, it's humbling to learn to receive charity with grace. All I can do is ask and leave my request in the hands of others who may be in a place to help me. One day I will be back at work and able to pay forward some of the kindnesses I've received. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and thank you for any help you feel you can give. Thank you so much for taking the time to share my post on social media, as it helps me reach more people. Even if "all" you can do is share my post then please know that you've already helped me. 

Thank you and much love, Lea

12/3/2020