Help Lawrence Lovell Recover from Life-Saving Surgery

My name is Lawrence Lovell. Back in September, I was diagnosed with diverticulitis, an inflammation of the large intestine that caused an infection. They were able to clear it up with amoxicillin antibiotics, so I had a follow-up with my primary care and said my symptoms haven't gone away. She put me on 2 broad-spectrum antibiotics which did the trick. So, I was scheduled for a colonoscopy to make sure I didn't have any cancer or medical conditions that caused this. My colonoscopy came back clean.

Around the beginning of May, I started getting sick again. I had my follow-up appointment with my gastroenterologist coming up so I figured I'd wait and let him know my symptoms were back. We met at his office and he was concerned so he sent me for a CT. His office staff said CT will get in touch with me to come in. 4 days passed and I didn't receive a phone call. Now mind you, I'm in hunched over pain. I was having painful urination and it hurt to bear down and defecate. I finally called. They said they can get me in July 13th. I said I need something sooner. They said well if you want to go to our other campus we have June 13th available. I said ok. Thinking I'm going to die waiting that long. I couldn't take it I went to the ER on May 29th where they did a CT and confirmed my diverticulitis was back. They admitted me. They put me on constant fluids and amoxicillin IV antibiotics. I was released on June 2nd and went home with a script for amoxicillin. I begged them not to give me amoxicillin, it's not going to work. They did anyway.

A week later, I saw the attending physician on my case and told him I'm in great pain. He decided that I needed a pain regime and sent me home with tramadol which gives me headaches and makes me dizzy. He said let the antibiotics do their job.

A week later, I went back to the ER. They did another CT scan and my symptoms are worse. They say it looks like my colon and bladder have fused together and there is an abscess on my bladder. They admitted me. I fired my attending physician and requested my primary care doctor to oversee my case. They put me back on fluids and broad-spectrum antibiotics to get the inflammation to go down. A few days later, the most wonderful surgeon came in with his computer and showed me the imaging from my CTs. He showed me the fistula. He showed me the abscess. He showed me the trapped poop. He said I need surgery and I need it now. It was Friday, I had surgery on Sunday. They found a fist-sized abscess on my bladder, separated my bladder and colon, and removed a foot of my colon. If that abscess would have ruptured, I could have died. My physician I fired, I have yet to question why he took so lightly of the situation. Right now that's besides the point. I spent another 8 days in the hospital in agony and discomfort. I had a PCA pump to give myself morphine every 12 minutes. I had to walk and show strength which I did. The only thing now is this 6-8 week recovery.

I have zero savings. I have 3 months of bills and rent that will be due and I just don't know of any way to do it? If I get a remote job, I'm liable to lose my insurance. I was going to try that just to get by until I can get back to remodeling and painting. I pay my own insurance as well. This was an unexpected emergency exploratory surgery and I'm asking my friends to share this. I'm asking for help from strangers and a blessing from God. I don't want to be homeless or default on my bills. I've sent paperwork to Catholic charities and other town hardship programs. I don't meet their requirements. I'm really stuck between a rock and a hard place. Please consider helping. This is only temporary. Anything will help. Oh, and pray for me Thursday, my staples come out. I heard that's not fun.