Here’s an example of a sudden flare

Reintroduction 10-16-25

Hi, I’m Karen! I originally started this GFM two years ago when I had a bad few months with chronic illnesses. It was humbling and humiliating honestly.

in the interim, I got better, then this year happened. In March 2025, I got human metapneumovirus. For most people, it causes cold-like symptoms. For me, a person with severe asthma and on immunosuppressant drugs for rheumatoid arthritis, it was horrendous. I was hospitalized for 8 days and still not well.

Over the next three months, fluid pooled around my left lung making breathing harder and harder. On June 27th, I was hospitalized again. This time I had bilateral multi lobar pneumonia. They also removed over a liter of infected fluid with a chest tube from the space around my lungs.

There were three more hospitalizations since then. Although the infections are gone, I have never fully recovered. In fact, I’ve been determined permanently disabled.

i have reset this fundraiser since going back to work is not realistic. I’m adjusting to a much reduced income, a huge increase in cost of living, and now a loss of food assistance. Plus, there is always something more that is not covered.

There are so many crowd funding opportunities and the stories are heartbreaking. The holiday season is upon us and that makes it even harder.

RIGHT NOW the needs are rent and prescriptions. If you can’t donate, please share so that someone who can may see it.

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In case you aren’t familiar with my story:

My daughter died when she was 8 (2008)

My husband died when he was 37 (2015)

I was run over by my own car (2020)

I have severe asthma and Rheumatoid Arthritis which cause a multitude of problems daily

I work full time and am the sole provider for my son, who is 10

I have insurance and do not qualify for any assistance.

My doctor visits, medications, therapy appointments, and treatments for this year alone have cost over $10k out of pocket. Trying to keep up with regular expenses, and the emergency ones that pop up regularly, have become too much.

11-13-23 Update

The words “Thank you” seem inadequate. I am truly grateful for each and every kind word, message, and donation, of course. So far, I am able to purchase all of my medications that I’ve been without. I’m able to make a car payment and I’m able to pay my phone bill.

My next goal is to clear out the payday loans and make another car payment. If you’re asking yourself, “How did she get in such a bind?” You aren’t saying anything I haven’t said. My Flex Spending account was spent by February this year. I was out of PTO by May. I have FMLA which protects my job, but those days have been without pay for months. Things can become dire in a short period of time.

Much love,

Karen