Support for Lailsons after Flesh-Eating Bacteria

**Graphic NSFW images below**

So I've had multiple friends ask and try to encourage me for months to create this GoFundMe page for my medical, and essentially living expenses. After careful consideration, and honestly no other option, I finally caved. I truly hate handouts, pity and basically asking for help in general but here I am swallowing what little pride I have left to ask, nay beg for any kind of help from my friends, family or even strangers at this point. I'm sure most of you don't even know what I've been through these last 8 months so I'll share my crazy story with y'all. It is definitely a long, grueling one.

The day before my 36th birthday, and also Easter Sunday, I got a life threatening wound (literally a small cut) on my arm from a rusty metal sign. Within 24 hours that small cut led to Necrotizing fasciitis. Or commonly known as a flesh eating bacteria which progressed to Gangrene. The prognosis was not great from the very beginning, I had little to no chance of even surviving. After I miraculously pulled through the first 48 hours I was expected to lose my right arm. After multiple surgeries and even more overnight stays I was told I may keep my arm and with a few more surgeries and skin grafts I could eventually lead a somewhat normal life still. I don't remember much of my first few weeks at University Health Hospital but I do know it took a toll on my children whom rely on me and only me for well, everything unfortunately. I decided I needed to push through and I went through with all the excruciating pain that went along with my recovery. It was the worst pain I've ever experienced and yes, I had 2 children.

Eventually, after about a month, I was discharged and able to go home. Not even 2 weeks later I was back in the Emergency Room for an infection. Definitely not how I wanted to spend Mother's Day but here I was once again in so much pain and scared for my life and what would happen with my kiddos. Luckily that hospital stay only lasted a week and only involved 2 more surgeries. Again, I was back home but this time with multiple in home nurse visits and 2 wound vacs. For the next month I would be seeing my wound care nurse(s) every week, sometimes twice, to check the wound vac machines and for dressing changes. Those don't even include the ones done in home by either myself or one of my teens. This whole ordeal has actually encouraged my youngest child, whom is only 14 years old, to possibly pursue a medical career. Probably the only good thing to come out of all of this.

Well, not to my surprise, I had to go back to the ER for yet another infection a few weeks later. This time caused by a faulty wound vac (which I've had more than my fair share of in the last year). Definitely not a fun experience. It seemed that this particular bacteria really wanted to end my life. That's around the time that I was prescribed Penicillin twice a day, everyday for the next 6 months, which I'm still taking. Another week long visit to the hospital wasn't exactly what I had in mind but yet again I was able to pull through. Someone is definitely watching over me. I'd like to think it's my mom and sister. I'm not the most religious person out there but after this whole ordeal I'd like to think I'm a bit more open to the idea. Or at least I want to be. I want to believe that we went through all this for a higher purpose.

The main reason we are needing assistance is because only a few short weeks before this all happened I was part of a big lay off from my employer of 13 years. This was all very unfortunate timing because of course my insurance lapsed in the middle of this whole crisis. My savings/retirement is now non existent and I am no longer receiving unemployment, which definitely wasn't supporting us monthly anyway. I am just now able to fully join the workforce, once again. I no longer have weekly doctor's appointments and only have physical therapy once a month besides my daily home exercises. I have almost most of the function in my arm again, after 16 surgeries including 2 skin grafts, not completely but I'm not complaining. And it definitely ain't pretty but I'm just trying to count my blessings. I'm hopeful for the future and what career I acquire next. I've been applying like a madman and I have a few more job interviews lined up. I'm hoping to start training for a new job opening in February. So if you could, please send your prayers and good vibes my way so that becomes a reality. In the meantime, we could use a bit of help. Clearly I need to keep the roof over our heads as well as basic necessities, and these medical bills aren't going away. I'm literally drowning and never been this worried.

Sorry for the graphic images. Here's a nice one of when I took my kids to see The Little Mermaid, wound vac in tow and all. Throughout this whole ordeal I never once looked at my wound, I would literally ask for a blindfold, because I thought it would deter me from moving forward and possibly traumatize me. I would turn away during my appointments and dressing changes. Now I am trying to embrace my battle scars, mostly because they will forever be a part of me. Luckily the hospital staff took pictures and I am now well enough to look at them. I hope this helps my children realize that we should never give up hope. We have to keep fighting through hard times even if it seems impossible.

I know times are tough for everyone so even if you're not able to contribute, I appreciate you taking the time to read my story and just clicking to share this would help us out tremendously. I just need to keep trying to stay strong for my kids, they are after all my literal reason for living. I keep telling them and myself that the tough times are past us so please help us make that a reality. Tis' the season and all.

From my little family to yours, Happy Holidays!

Oh, and for those who've been asking we do have other payment apps;

Cashapp - $jessicacahead

Paypal - jessicacahead

Venmo - @jessicacahead