Support Danasia's Battle for Health and Stability

Sometimes it all comes crashing down on you...

In July of 2021, Danasia Guyton found herself in Grady Hospital's ER in excruciating abdominal pain. After waiting in the ER for 9 hours, Danasia was ultimately diagnosed with necrotizing pancreatitis, meaning a portion of her pancreas had died. She was admitted to the ICU for four days and remained in the hospital, recovering for an additional 9 days.

She was eventually discharged from Grady with what she would later come to realize was Type 2 diabetes and a pancreatic enzyme deficiency (although the diagnosis at the time of discharge was a bit murky). Danasia was sent on her way with a prescription for insulin--to use as needed--and little knowledge of how to manage her newly diagnosed chronic illness. To say she has been dealing with the aftermath of that bout of pancreatitis for the last three years would be an understatement.

Over the last several years, Danasia has experienced severe abdominal pain, which has landed her back in Grady's ER on multiple occasions. Most recently, in July 2024, Danasia was taken by ambulance to Grady after collapsing on more than three separate occasions in the span of 30 minutes in her home. After being released from that particular ER visit with a "nut allergy" diagnosis, Danasia returned home dismayed. Soon after, the severe abdominal pain set in again...

Discouraged by the healthcare system's lack of attention to her chronic illness and overall well-being, Danasia decided to remain at home during the next bout of severe abdominal pain in lieu of going to the hospital. This next episode would last for three weeks.

During that time, Danasia was unable to keep solid food in her system, having to resort to a liquid diet. She ultimately lost 20 lbs in that time due to the lack of nutrients she was receiving. Her belly grew distended for reasons then unknown, although she suspected a 8cm fibroid was to blame at the time. She couldn't sleep for more than an hour or two at a time because she was in so much pain.

Eventually, on August 7, 2024, Danasia agreed to let a friend take her to Emory Hospital. She fairly quickly received a CT scan with contrast dye and further bloodwork, which ultimately revealed a dramatic deficiency in a number of areas (magnesium, potassium, etc.) as well as as enzyme deficiencies and out-of-whack glucose levels. She was released from Emory's ER after about 10 hours, where she received magnesium and insulin drips to help stabilize her nearly starving body.

Danasia has since been connected to three separate specialists: a gastroenterologist to manage her severe pancreatic deficiency; an endocrinologist to manage her Type 2 diabetes; and an OBGYN to consult on her massive uterine fibroid (one of many).

Danasia's pancreas is currently making almost zero enzymes on its own, which makes breaking down and digesting food on her own incredibly difficult. That process is what she now knows led to her abdomen filling with air, contributing to her severe abdominal pain. Her gastroenterologist has recommended an aggressive course of pancreatic enzymes (upwards of 12 pills per day), but Danasia's insurance has refused to accept the doctor's pre-authorization for the much-needed medication (Creon). While Danasia continues to battle with her insurance to get the medicine she needs to be able to eat without pain, she visits her doctor's office twice a week to stock up on any Creon samples they might have to tied her over. This, of course, is not sustainable. Creon is likely something Danasia will need to take long-term. When/if her insurance finally approves her prescription, it will cost her upwards of $1200/month for that one medication.

In addition to her pancreas issues, Danasia continues to struggle to manage her diabetes. Thanks to some samples from her dietician, she currently has a diabetes monitor (CGM), which alerts her when her blood sugar is too low or too high. The prescription she was given for a CGM requires--you guessed it--a pre-authorization from her doctor, so she's currently sitting in limbo, trying to get that life-changing device approved by her insurance. In the meantime, Danasia has been meeting with a dietician to learn how to better fuel her body and gauge her insulin needs throughout the day, juggling short- and long-acting insulin shots.

And on top of these two very critical health issues, Danasia currently has a now 12cm fibroid (larger than her uterus itself and measuring in line with a 20-week fetus) attached to the exterior of her uterus. She will ultimately need to have it surgically removed, once her pancreas and glucose levels are stabilized. That surgery will be performed laparoscopically, which means she will need about two weeks post-op to recover.

Since getting sick in July 2021, Danasia's health issues have made it extremely difficult to work. In the 18 months following that initial hospitalization, Danasia was unable to work due to her illness. She blew through her entire savings and cashed in her IRA just to make ends meet. She has had to take a big step back from her small business, The Urban Realist, and has felt the financial strain of her health issues in a major way. Danasia has largely relied on friends and family for financial support in recent years.

After her building raised the rent by several hundred dollars per month, Danasia moved out of her long-time apartment in July 2024. She has been staying at a friend's apartment, house sitting, for the last 2.5 months but will need to find a new apartment by the end of October.

It's A LOT. A lot for one person to handle on their own. Chances are, you likely didn't know Danasia was experiencing a number of health issues simultaneously or at all. She's been trying to manage on her own for years but has recently come to the realization that it takes a village. That's why we're here--to help Danasia kick-start this next chapter of her life and give her a little more stability as she tries to get a handle on her health and wellbeing. Monetary donations are, of course, incredibly helpful at this time, but even reaching out and checking in on Danasia makes a big difference. Let's show Danasia how much this village cares about her and wants her to be well :)

Note about the $20,000 fundraising goal:

Money raised from this fundraiser will benefit Danasia directly by going towards hospital bills, doctors visit bills, regular lab work, prescription medication costs, and a deposit + 1st month's rent on a new apartment.