Sara Mata: Rare Covid Symptoms

Overview:

Thanksgiving Update: I am incredibly grateful for your support and encouragement. This financial support has quite literally saved my life. I am thankful to be alive today to celebrate the holiday season. I am tremendously blessed by your kindness, compassion, encouragement, loving support, and generosity.

I have been navigating covid/long haul covid this entire year (since Jan 2022). I was also diagnosed with severe complications & disease symptoms as a direct result of battling the covid virus 2x this year. This has created significant financial strain and challenges in meeting basic bills. My landlord has increased the rent by 40% this year, resulting in a tremendous struggle to maintain a safe, stable environment to heal & recover.

I am sharing this Medical Fundraiser to raise financial support for medical treatment and basic living expenses during this intense healing process. All fundraiser donations have been fully used for medical expenses, accessing healing treatment, and survival expenses.

I have included all medical details, financial breakdown, and previous updates below:

Birthday Update (July 23): I have been navigating severe symptoms of Covid for 7 months (starting Jan 18 2022, 185 days). I was exposed to Covid again on June 26. I have been extremely sick for the past 3 weeks. Most recent labwork found Lyme Disease & gram-positive bacteria in blood cultures as well as high inflammation levels due to long haul covid.

The most debilitating symptoms have been daily intense migraine headaches, inability to eat any solid food, brain fog, & debilitating physical/mental fatigue.

The doctors/specialists have been unable to treat/resolve these symptoms successfully. After dozens of tests/scans/bloodwork, they are stumped because many of my symptoms are rare for 'covid long haulers.' Many of my family members were hospitalized with covid symptoms during the pandemic. The grief of losing my closest family members, and dearest animal companions in the past two years has been paralyzing.

I have been unable to earn income while battling this terrible illness. My landlord increased the rent by $500 and threatened eviction if I do not pay on time. I have created this emergency medical fundraiser to assist with basic living expenses and healing treatment while I am recovering. Genuinely, every donation is tremendously helpful and will make a real difference in my life right now.

 

Symptoms:

Symptoms from Covid: intense persistent migraine headaches, massive light/sound sensitivity, debilitating fatigue, inability to sleep, nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, muscle aches, stabbing pain in temples, lockjaw, TMJ, chest pain, sinus pressure, increased heart rate, tingling in the arms/legs, brain fog, burning feet, knee pain/swelling, nerve pain in feet, nervous system dysregulation, anxiety, & panic attacks. All of these symptoms began in January in response to the covid virus infection. Some symptoms resolved after receiving the monoclonal antibodies on Jan 24 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, dizziness, diarrhea, sore throat).

This virus has attacked my brain, nervous system, organs, respiratory system, endocrine system, and my mental health. It caused massive inflammation in the brain, spine, tissues, muscle, thyroid, bones, and cellular system.

Timeline:

Covid symptoms started on Jan 18th. I officially tested positive for Covid Jan 20th. I was given the monoclonal antibody treatment in the hospital on Jan 24th. I have consulted 5 primary care doctors, 1 neurologist, 1 endocrinologist, 3 naturopaths in the past 80 days. I’ve had 2 urgent care visits and 2 hospital visits for covid treatment & multiple scans & tests. The persistent migraine pain in my head is excruciating. I am exhausted in body, mind and spirit. These symptoms are making the most simple tasks feel overwhelming & impossible. Getting out of bed, walking, showering, getting dressed…basic daily activities are completely draining. None of the treatments, medications, or supplements have resolved these extreme symptoms. I feel defeated, not knowing what to do or how to help my body heal from this virus. It's terrifying not knowing if these symptoms will ever end. I feel as if I am losing my mind from not being able to sleep, eat, or go outside near light/sound.

 

Financial Strain:

I have been unable to work or generate income because of severe Covid symptoms and daily migraines. My landlord increased my rent by $300. I don't know how to pay rent or utilities, or produce the extra money in time. I am in serious financial trouble. I know legally the landlord is required to give a full 30 day written notice of rent increase, but I am afraid to fight back because I am terrified of getting evicted and becoming homeless. With extreme illness, I am not in a position to move, or live out of my car. Other rental properties in my area won’t lease to someone without income, savings, or someone currently experiencing covid symptoms.

 

I have no back up plan, no safety net. This fundraiser is a last resort. I have tried every option for financial support I can think of (including applying for unemployment (denied), disability (denied), covid rental assistance & utility assistance programs (application pending, city website says program 'out of funding'), food stamps (approved), government medical insurance (approved), etc).

 

Mental Health:

Almost everyone close to me has died during the pandemic in the past 2 years. It has been death after death after death. Truthfully, the grief has been overwhelming and all-consuming. In response to trauma and grief, my body and nervous system has been completely shut down/frozen. During this process of grief, I have been socially isolated. My mental health has drastically deteriorated during this covid illness. 

 

Sara's Healing Journey:

I trust my body knows how to heal itself, especially when it has the proper medical support, healthy nutrition, and safe environment. In 2009 I was disabled and bedridden for 2 years from a severe back injury. I used a wheelchair for 4 years after that, as I healed and recovered with the help of integrative medicine & holistic health modalities. It took me a full 10 years to regain physical independence and be able to sit, walk, shower, get dressed, drive, and return to school. Before my back injury, I was completing my B.S. in medicinal biochemistry, and taking medical school & law school classes in a prestigious program offered by Mayo Clinic & ASU. I didn't know it at the time, but I was living in an apartment with black mold, which created very serious symptoms & made the recovery process extremely challenging. During this time I was diagnosed with Complex PTSD (from childhood trauma and back injury disability). After recovering, I devoted myself to helping others struggling with similar disability, trauma, and severe illness. I continued my education to learn the techniques and healing modalities that helped me walk again. I became an integrative health practitioner focusing on mind-body wellness and trauma-safe techniques.

 

I believe I can recover from this covid illness, and I know I need help right now. I am humbly requesting your support and grace during this healing journey. Honestly, any support is so appreciated. I am tremendously grateful for any prayers, encouragement, and financial support. Every donation amount is helpful and will make a tremendous difference in my life right now.

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Send an urgent Donation for housing expenses & medical treatment via 

2. Share this GoFundMe to reach a larger audience.

Medical Fundraiser Link: https://linktr.ee/lovinglight

 

3. Prayer/Healing Intentions: Please visualize me healing and healthy on all levels (physical, mental, emotional) and being guided to the best possible medical/mental health treatment. Prayers for financial resources, safe stable living situation, and a loving support network.

 

Financial Costs Breakdown: Donations for Medical, Mental Health, & Living Expenses

 

December 2022

Rent: $1400 (due December 1)

Electric SRP: $105 (Dec 1st)

Water: $108 (Dec 13st)

Internet Cox: $73 (due Dec 21nd)

December Total: $ 1, 686

December 2022 : Medical Expenses/Financial Need Details

SCNM Naturopathic Doctor:

$45: Doctor Appointment

$125: Intravenous (IV) Therapy

Medications/Prescriptions:

$38: Low Dose Naltrexone 3.0mg (for inflammation)

Nutrition:

$123: Ka’Chava Vanilla Shake-Whole Body Meal (2x, one meal per day -High nutrient dense liquid diet).

Health Supplements: (doctor recommended)

$100: Probiotics & Prebiotics

$24: SCNM Kalmerite Glycerite Tincture for Nervous System/Anxiety

$24: SCNM Piper Met. tincture for stomach pain

$60: Thorne Research - L-Glutamine Powder for GI Health and Immune Function

$45: 2700mg daily -Organic Turmeric Curcumin Herbal Supplement for Inflammation

$43: Thorne Glutathione-SR - Sustained-Release Supplement with Antioxidant Support for Liver Recovery

$12: Gaia Herbs Triphala Fruit for Digestion, Liver, Cardiovascular Health, Antioxidant, gentle detoxification

$12: Phosphorus 30c for migraine/headaches

$124: A to Z Botanicals 3500mg CBD/CBG drops daily for intense pain

Total: $791 (December 2022)

Medical Treatment (approximate estimates):

$600 Doctor Visits:

I have found one naturopath in Mesa (SCNM) who has had some success with treating covid long-haul patients with severe symptoms. Unfortunately, my medical insurance will not cover any of these visits or any tests/treatment ordered because she is not a network provider. Therefore, all expenses will be out of pocket. (Every medical provider covered by my state-issued insurance has said they are struggling to treat or find options to resolve these specific long-haul covid symptoms. All treatments/medications so far have been experimental and trial & error. Most of these medications have harmful side effects.) I am open to receiving referrals for physicians who take Arizona Mercy Care Ahcccs insurance that have cured covid symptoms similar to mine.

 

$1500 for Tests/Treatment/Supplements:

i.e. bloodwork, food allergy testing, testing to find the cause of inflammation, IV fluids, any recommended medications, recommended nutrition changes/vitamins/supplements, acupuncture, bodywork, etc

 

Mental Health

$1950 for Mental Health Treatment:

10-15 sessions with trauma trained therapist/psychologist, approximately $130 per session

 

Transportation

$2000 for car repairs:

On April 11, my car was in a "Hit and Run" Collision that caused major internal damage. The car insurance company has been reluctant to fix any damages, labeling them as "mechanical" instead of collision based. These repairs are necessary to get my car in safe working condition so I can drive to medical appointments and receive treatment. This is 2010 Kia Soul with 240k miles.

 

Fundraising Goal (Total Expenses): $ 11,800 -$15,000

 

Gratitude:

Your support will have a major impact on my daily life. I am truly grateful for any form of support, encouragement, and/or prayer. It is not always easy/comfortable to ask for help or lean into community when struggling. I am learning to navigate this process of receiving support with gentleness and grace. It is challenging to be in a vulnerable position where I am not able to offer anything tangible in return, other than my immense gratitude. I am tremendously grateful for your compassion, prayers, and generosity.