Reid San Filippo

Hi Everyone,

I have not posted publicly about my health before now, but I think it is time. I guess I’m a bit old-fashioned in that sharing my problems publicly online is difficult for me.

In early 2021 I caught the Delta variant of Covid, and it put me in the hospital for a while. I came home needing oxygen for daily activity and physical therapy, but I was recovering. A few weeks later my health began to decline, and eventually, I went back into the hospital. After multiple tests, it was discovered I had kidney damage caused by an autoimmune disease (Membranous Nephropathy) which may have been activated by my bout of Covid. I began a regimen of chemotherapy infusions to stop the disease from doing any more damage to my kidneys and began trying numerous combinations of medication to help my body function properly. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Membranous Nephropathy.

Over the last few years, the doctors have been able to adjust my medications to keep me stable. Unfortunately, my kidney damage is permanent, and I’ve shown symptoms of Long Covid. Also, my overall ability to maintain a normal life has dwindled, especially in the last several months. While I have been able to keep my job so far, remote IT work, I’ve lost nearly 25% of my income due to the amount of unpaid sick time I have had to take off. Maintaining my home properly has exceeded my ability levels as well.

Luckily, some extended family has offered me a place to stay in their home, where my physical and financial obligations will be much less taxing. I’ll be moving, most likely in early October, from Illinois to Minnesota. I will definitely need help with the move, loss of income during this period, and expenses incurred while getting a new medical team to help with my ailments.

I'm expecting the costs for the 450-mile move, setting up a new home with better access to health care, and a family able to help me day-to-day will be more than $4,000. I anticipate further loss of income during this period, but it's not something I can put a number on.

I want to say thank you to all of the Umercia fans out there that have been patiently waiting for more weirdness. Seeing folks post about Umerica definitely helps me through the tough days.