Undiagnosed MS leading to Emergency Surgery
Donation protected
Hello all you wonderful people taking the time to read this. My name is Kate Bergeron and I was recently diagnosed with MS. I wanted to start by saying this is something I wouldn't normally do; it's always been pretty difficult for me to accept handouts/ask for help and vulnerability has never quite been a friend of mine. However, the last year has been a serious whirlwind of medical issues and it has left me in a rough place.
To begin, in July of last year, I was hit by a car on my bike. I was in so much shock that I didn't get the drivers information (which was a huge mistake, I beat myself up about it for months) because it in fact caused serious trauma to my back and I, of course, ended up having to cover the medical expenses for it. Next, on November 26th of last year I had a terrible stomach ache which brought me to the emergency room. After hours of running test they realized I had a leak in my intestine which was going to kill me if not treated immediately and therefore, they preformed an emergency surgery. I went to the nearest hospital, which was not one within my health insurance network. Fortunately because it was an emergency, most expenses were paid out- however, not all and I currently have collection agencies calling me everyday. Finally, about three months ago, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis as well as a degenerative disc disease. For years, I had been complaining about the very obvious symptoms of the disease and I felt as though my doctors would dismiss them, making me feel like I was a hypochondriac or trying to put me on anti-depressants. I honestly believe that because I was suffering from an undiagnosed auto-immune disease I could have avoided having 26 staples being put in my stomach. Anyways, this has been my year; a landslide of health issues and emotional roller coasters.
This is why I've decided today to 'put myself out there' and to ask for random acts of kindness. I have had to miss roughly three and a half months of work- trying to recover, going to the doctor, etc. I am currently a social worker- I teach Assistive Technology to individuals whom are differently-abled. Sadly, it seems, our society doesn't much value this sort of work because I can barely make ends meet. I just moved in with two amazing friends who are trying to help me get back on my feet because I could no longer afford to pay my rent, but I am basically sleeping on the floor which isn't ideal for a degenerative disc disease. I am also still struggling to save money because I am riddled with debt currently from all that's been going on the past year. I don't have a car which makes getting to the grocery store or sometimes work fairly difficult and also adding expenses for Lyft rides on occasions. Fortunately I live in a wonderful place, Boulder Colorado, and public transportation is excellent. I am truly and immensely grateful for the support I have in my life and I am trying to stay positive throughout all this. But then, there also days like today- where I had to leave work early because of the invisible symptoms of MS and I feel isolated, lost, and financially burdened.
I understand $13,000 seems like a lot of money, because it is, or at least to me it would make a world of difference. For me, that money would be incredibly helpful in order for me to just get back on my feet and start living a somewhat normal life again; one where I am not constantly stressed about how I can get by, manage to feed myself, find a place to live, pay for my doctor visits, medicine, hospital bills and so forth and so on. Again, this is not something I would normally ever do, but today, I am exposing myself and asking from the bottom of my heart for any help that anyone might be able to provide.
Lastly, since this is a fairly new diagnosis I would enjoy it if people who may be in a similar situation were to reach out. I've been struggling to express how MS is and has actually been affecting my life and it would be great to network with people who can empathize from being in a comparable circumstance.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and I appreciate each and everyone of you regardless of whether you donate or not.
~Kate
To begin, in July of last year, I was hit by a car on my bike. I was in so much shock that I didn't get the drivers information (which was a huge mistake, I beat myself up about it for months) because it in fact caused serious trauma to my back and I, of course, ended up having to cover the medical expenses for it. Next, on November 26th of last year I had a terrible stomach ache which brought me to the emergency room. After hours of running test they realized I had a leak in my intestine which was going to kill me if not treated immediately and therefore, they preformed an emergency surgery. I went to the nearest hospital, which was not one within my health insurance network. Fortunately because it was an emergency, most expenses were paid out- however, not all and I currently have collection agencies calling me everyday. Finally, about three months ago, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis as well as a degenerative disc disease. For years, I had been complaining about the very obvious symptoms of the disease and I felt as though my doctors would dismiss them, making me feel like I was a hypochondriac or trying to put me on anti-depressants. I honestly believe that because I was suffering from an undiagnosed auto-immune disease I could have avoided having 26 staples being put in my stomach. Anyways, this has been my year; a landslide of health issues and emotional roller coasters.
This is why I've decided today to 'put myself out there' and to ask for random acts of kindness. I have had to miss roughly three and a half months of work- trying to recover, going to the doctor, etc. I am currently a social worker- I teach Assistive Technology to individuals whom are differently-abled. Sadly, it seems, our society doesn't much value this sort of work because I can barely make ends meet. I just moved in with two amazing friends who are trying to help me get back on my feet because I could no longer afford to pay my rent, but I am basically sleeping on the floor which isn't ideal for a degenerative disc disease. I am also still struggling to save money because I am riddled with debt currently from all that's been going on the past year. I don't have a car which makes getting to the grocery store or sometimes work fairly difficult and also adding expenses for Lyft rides on occasions. Fortunately I live in a wonderful place, Boulder Colorado, and public transportation is excellent. I am truly and immensely grateful for the support I have in my life and I am trying to stay positive throughout all this. But then, there also days like today- where I had to leave work early because of the invisible symptoms of MS and I feel isolated, lost, and financially burdened.
I understand $13,000 seems like a lot of money, because it is, or at least to me it would make a world of difference. For me, that money would be incredibly helpful in order for me to just get back on my feet and start living a somewhat normal life again; one where I am not constantly stressed about how I can get by, manage to feed myself, find a place to live, pay for my doctor visits, medicine, hospital bills and so forth and so on. Again, this is not something I would normally ever do, but today, I am exposing myself and asking from the bottom of my heart for any help that anyone might be able to provide.
Lastly, since this is a fairly new diagnosis I would enjoy it if people who may be in a similar situation were to reach out. I've been struggling to express how MS is and has actually been affecting my life and it would be great to network with people who can empathize from being in a comparable circumstance.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and I appreciate each and everyone of you regardless of whether you donate or not.
~Kate
Organizer
Kate Bergeron
Organizer
Boulder, CO