hello everyone!

march 15, i was admitted to the hospital/ICU septic with pneumonia and endocarditis, a serious blood + heart valve infection. i came very close to death and the incident has crippled me, leaving me physically disabled with lifelong heart problems. i had to get heart surgery to clean out the chunks of infectious growth and replace the valve that was destroyed. i was on IV antibiotics for 2 months in the hospital and physical rehab center.

i had to get a pacemaker implanted because when they put me back together and resarted it, my heart can no longer pump effectively. this resulted in an electrical blockage (called severe heart block) pieces of the infectious growth broke off and travelled through my bloodstream, getting stuck inside my feet. i had to have 3 on my right foot amputated and i sustained serious nerve damage in both legs/feet. i am being tested and examined due to signs of liver dysfunction as on top of everything. (had another ultrasound)

i have improved medically from when i was in the ICU, but i use a walker to get around and still have had consistent difficulty ever since. i struggle with poor breathing and severe nausea that leads to throwing up several times a day + extreme exhaustion. i am doing physical therapy and i have many other appointments that i must go to, including checking my blood levels (INR), ultrasounds, cardiology, blood work, EKGs and other screening or monitoring. i do have insurance but many of these things i usually have a $50 copay, which will add up really quickly, especially because i cannot work.

i'm working with an intern here to apply for disability and am waiting on that to be processed, which will take some time. i seriously hope that i can be accepted because i do not know how i will live without it. i am applying for food stamps as well as looking into other services that i may be able to qualify for.

i was homeless for most of my adult life (i am 24) and i struggled with addiction starting around age 13. since getting to the hospital i have been sober except for my low-dose methadone prescription and my other pain medications. i take a drug test every week that i must (and do) pass to be able to take my methadone home.

it is an expensive medication for me. the co-pay is $30 a day if you have my particular insurance, which is more than if you don't have insurance at all! i will be asking the clinic when i go in this week about tapering off so that i can have one less charge in my life for the upcoming year.

i am working hard to get my life together now. i live in a temporary transitional youth housing program and am almost at the cut-off age for qualifying to live here. (i turn 25 in November, the oldest you are supposed to be staying here is 24) i am saving up what i can as i wait for the disability application to go through so that i can afford to get a low-income apartment as well as afford my appointments, medications and medical devices (like a self checking in-home INR machine and equipment for PT) as well as for me and my cat to afford to live.

i have included some pictures and documents for proof of conditions i claim in case that is needed. i can get more specific records if requested, including receipts and costs. i hope that i have provided enough information! i am glad to answer any questions you may have.

thank you for reading this far! i really do appreciate your time and consideration.