Utility bills and rent

Almost to the day a year ago, even after three vaccines, I was positive for COVID again for the third time.

Having Cystic Fibrosis means you’re always being hunted at any time by something you can’t see with the naked eye. This could be any illness, any bacteria, mold or fungus, any of those can prove to be life threatening to someone with Cystic Fibrosis. Considering this was my third time getting COVID, I figured I knew what to expect. The previous times were relatively mild and didn’t even cause an exacerbation of my CF but this time, it ended up being the most severe. The fevers and terrible body rigors were relentless, the Tamiflu caused extreme nausea, I lost weight and I became so weak. I ended up being off work for two weeks.

The following month I accepted an additional job working as a Registered Nurse with Mary Free Bed in Muskegon. I continued working at my other job at North Ottawa community hospital (noch) on the medical/surgical floor. I was used to switching between day and night shift there at NOCH but during my orientation for this new job, I still felt tired and run down. Then during the first week of orientation, I ended up in the emergency room and was diagnosed with a bowel obstruction. I’ve had many of these before due to complications from CF but they’ve always resolved without surgery.

Five years ago, I had an emergency surgery that saved my life. After over eight hours in surgery, the surgeons ended up having to remove 12 inches of my small bowel and they reattached it to a healthy portion of my bowel. It was only after this that I ended up having more frequent bowel obstructions and this diagnosis wasn’t any different.

Being punctual and showing up for work is something I take very seriously, once I was admitted, all I could worry about was losing my new job that I had just started. I tried to prioritize my health but the stress of failing to make a good impression during orientation of this new job was all I could worry about. Then it hit me, I would be off work again due to my health. How was I going to pay rent? How was I going to pay my bills or get groceries? All I could think about was where was I actually going to go if I was evicted? Luckily, I had savings and another source of income from my fiancé. We were able to make it just enough to get by and were able to recover financially once I was able to go back to work.

Then fast forward to after Thanksgivin, it started with an upper respiratory cold and I was able to continue working. The infection got worse and after a severe spike in my temperature one night, I ended up having to call into work and I went to go get tested for the flu. It took two days to get the results but I was positive for influenza. I notified both of my jobs and I was again taken off the schedule and started the process to rest and recover. By this time, it was going into the week of Christmas. My fiancé ended up getting sick as well and we ended up keeping our distance from everyone and missing most of Christmas. I returned to work once I felt recovered enough and my doctor said it was okay to go back.

My next shift was a 12 hour day starting at 7am at NOCH. However, each step I took and the further I walked, the more I couldn’t breathe. I lasted about two hours at work before I had to leave early. I went straight down to the emergency room. I was sick and needed oxygen. I ended up being admitted at the same hospital I work at.

After another week of IV antibiotics I was able to return home and completed the rest of my IV antibiotics with home care. But it wasn’t over yet, worry started to set in after I spiked another fever. I didn’t feel better and the thought of returning to work like this made me want to give up. I ended up qualifying for home oxygen. I felt my life was out of control, I couldn’t get up without having an oxygen cannula attached to my face. Steps were slower, breaths were deeper, my worries were greater and our bank account was completely empty. Due to the rapid change in my health my pulmonologist insisted that I immediately drive to Lansing to be directly admitted to Sparrow Hospital.

And while 2023 sure didn’t start off how I had planned it, I still had hope. I had my biggest support ststem, my fiancé, Tyler right by my side. I had previously received help from an amazing organization out of Grand Rapids called Friends and Family of Cystic Fibrosis also known as FFCF.

They help out local CF patients and their families who are experiencing a multitude of severities ranging from family or personal financial emergencies all the way down to a child needing supplemental oxygen but all he wants to do is play but has no toys, books, games or activities to distract him.

FFCF provides all this. They have helped me before when I faced yet again another eviction or a shut off notice due to not being able to work because I was hospitalized. They graciously helped me in January and I was able to get back on my feet and eventually returned to work again.

It gave me back my purpose in life. I was finally able to give back to the community again as I once enjoyed. I was excited to pay my bills. I was grateful to buy groceries again and provide for my family. I was able to be an adult again. I was back and I couldn’t ask for anything else s that moment. Being a nurse is my purpose.

Now it’s July and I’ve been off of work for over a month. After days of unrelenting abdominal pain, nausea, fevers, I was unable to move or participate in my life. I was misdiagnosed four times at different emergency rooms throughout the area. Even after an emergent outpatient procedure done this past week, we still did not have an answer to what is wrong with me..

Trying to stay positive, I followed the doctors orders to try and recover at home. But nothing was improving, I was weak, I was dehydrated, I was in constant 10/10 pain. I couldn’t eat, drink or kee anytnkng down. We have had enough. Finally after getting to Soextrum Butterworth and hoping for an answer, we only got told to return home and follow up the following week with surgery.

Tyler said we are not leaving until we know what is wrong with her, until she can eat and drink again, until she isn’t in constant pain. It was with our insistence that the er physican reluctantly ordered a surgical consult for me in the ER. By the end of last Friday evening, I was being wheeled into my own room at Butterworth. We still don’t have definitive answers but we do know what is probably going on medically to me. All well I had an old friend reach out to me on Facebook named Pam Jurick. She was concerned and offered other GI doctors in the area I could follow up with. Grateful for all the support and love I’ve received while I’ve been hospitals, I felt validated and heard. One of our conversations turned into an offer for help by Pam and anyone who wanted to help.

I am not one to ask for help ever. Growing up as an only child, I was also independent and preferred doing anything my own way. Pam surprised me with her confession that she started a go-find me page for me. It allowed anyone to give their support to me directly.

Looking back to the other day, I cannot express the emotions that I felt when I heard this. Her selfless act in creating this opportunity for me was indescribable. She begged me to share it on my social media. I couldn’t, I felt guilty in directly asking for help on my life and putting myself out there for everyone to see. I felt too vulnerable but a few days went by and many people reached out to encourage me to share my story and share my page that allows help to come into my life.

So here’s my story for the last year and here’s where I am now.

I’m hoping to be discharged today but will need more time off of work at both jobs. Because of all the support lately, I no longer feel guilty for not being able to work again. I’ve remained focused on the one thing that matters the most right now. My health is #1 and now with this incredible offering of help given to me, I can stay focused on my health until we figured out what is going on. I can recover at home and stay focused completely on my recovery without having to worry about another eviction or another insufficient fund fee through my bank.

Thank you everyone for your encouragement and support. Thank you if you are able to help out in any way or are able to offer your help in providing me with the ability to recover and survive by your donation to this fundraiser. And from the bottom of my heart again, thank you Pam.

I will post updates on here as they develop.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Please help Amber as she has not been able to work, received no assistance and does not qualify for FMLA. There is no donation that is too small. Every little bit helps.

Thank you for your support and please keep her in your prayers.

Thank you

Pam