Help Becky stay afloat as she fights to live
In October of 2020, our daughter, Becky, had a xray of her heart and the doctors told her at that time she had pneumonia . She had no symptoms at that time. A week later, it hit her full blown and she was hospitalized for 5 days amid the Covid epidemic and was unable to have anyone at her side. After more testing and seeing a pulmonologist for months, they could not explain what was happening and why it was not getting better as her next lung scan showed more cloudiness and inflammation of the lining around her lungs.
In February of this year, we finally convinced her into going to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She came out of that appointment with a diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Disease which is an incurable lung disease that the prognosis is 3-5 years for most people. Becky is not most people. Her scans since the diagnosis have gotten markedly worse, They tried to do biopsies of her lungs and the lining around them but her oxygen level dropped dangerously low so they had to stop and only got minimal samples. While they were in there, they also found micro-bleeding in her lungs that they do not know where it is coming from but puts her at high risk of a lung bleed & also has a Hiatal Hernia, in which lifestyle changes and medications have not helped.
A couple weeks ago, she went back to have another scan as she has had a very hard time breathing, fluid buildup and tremendous pain. This scan was again a whole lot worse than the last one as was the inflammation of the lining. This time the only hopeful "treatment" for her was a 90 day regimen of Prednisone steroids. 40 mg for 30 days, 30 for 30 days and then 20 for another 30 days. Anyone that has been on a steroid for a short period of time knows the havoc it does on her body (headaches, nausea, vomiting, jitters and problems sleeping) but also increases her chances of pneumonia, heart issues (which runs in our family), & breaking bones if she even coughs (which is ALL the time).
Becky is 42 years old, is married to Chad, who besides working at a full time job, does car mechanic side jobs to help cover the bills & has not had a day off in 6 months. They have a 11 year old son, Conner, that lives with them 1/2 time. Becky has tried very hard to keep things as "normal" as possible for Conner's sake which is also very wearing & painful and is getting to the point where that will not be possible soon.
She has been unable to work and has no income coming in. She did file for disability but as you know, that is a long process. They have been trying to keep their head above water but they are quickly drowning. Right now, they are in danger of eviction (which if that happens, Chad will lose his ability to do his side jobs as they are done in the garage), have had cable/internet turned off, have shut off notices for their power (Becky will not be able to breathe if she does not have air conditioning) and have MASSIVE medical bills. The Mayo is also asking for a payment plan or they may not see her if she does not start making payments. THEY ARE HER LIFELINE RIGHT NOW.
I am asking for 2 things. 1. Please keep Becky, Chad & Conner in your prayers as this rugged road continues for them. 2. If you can help financially, we will be eternally grateful.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!