Urologist self pay expenses for Rodney Avery

Hi, my name is Rodney Avery and I'm fundraising for out of pocket medical expenses to see a Urologist. As seen on my profile picture that I currently have VA Medical Healthcare Insurance. It definitely has its advantages, because with all of my Healthcare needs following my, Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in 2018, in addition to losing my job and being placed on permanent disability in 2020 as a result of the combination between Multiple Sclerosis and the Coronavirus. I was able to overcome one but I was unable to overcome them both, especially when you consider in order for me to return to work I had to depend on Doctors orders. Despite my reason for being in this highly unfortunate predicament, the VA Healthcare has definitely been beneficial with my numerous Doctors appointments, Blood test, MRIs, Ultrasounds, CT Scans, and more importantly the prescriptions I need filled on a monthly basis. Normally it serves its purpose, at least in most cases. I guess it's true the old saying, "you get what you pay for ". So here is my current situation, I hope in advance that the New Year has been much better for you than it has been for me. For me starting on New Year's Eve, I was experiencing chest pains from an episode of my Acid Reflux, which I received medication for that in return prevented me from celebrating the New Year with a Champagne Toast which we have always done for 25 years now. It has become a tradition for us, because no matter how bad the previous year was for us and believe me we have had more than our fair share, but I digress, incidentally, Kim and I will be celebrating 25 years of wedded bliss on June 19th. I can honestly say that I wouldn't be here without her by my side and for that I will be forever grateful . So on the 1st of January, I sat down to enjoy New Years dinner with my family, but unfortunately in the process of enjoying a deliciously prepared meal I endured a chip tooth. Now I'm dealing with a whole new kind of pain, yes the unbearable yet uncomfortable toothache. So on Saturday, January 6th, I went to the Dentist. I had to wait until Saturday so Kim could watch our son Rj(who has Autism) without interfering with her job. So they told me that I had an infection from a tooth that I just recently had a root canal performed on just 2 years ago. So they would have to extract the tooth but first I had to be on antibiotics for 7 days to clear the infection, along with pain pills for the excruciating pain I'm experiencing throughout this entire process. So 2 weeks later on the 27th of January I returned to the Dentist to proceeded to have my tooth extracted. After 2 painful hours and removing some of my jawbone, they were able to successfully extract my tooth. So if that wasn't enough they said I was still suffering from a bacterial infection so he put me on 7 more days of antibiotics and pain pills. So if you have begun to see the ongoing theme that is beginning to formulate here, I have experienced some type of pain this year. So if that wasn't enough, I believe, as a result of all of the antibiotics I had consumed over the past few weeks that I had developed a bladder infection. I haven't officially been diagnosed with a bladder infection because I haven't seen a Urologist as of yet, but I'm getting ahead of myself. I Googled the side effects from the antibiotics that I was taking and it says if you have been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis then a side effect is a bladder infection. My symptoms that I have been experiencing for about a month now, and I don't mean to be to graphic, but I want to be completely transparent with you. It hurts when I use the bathroom with a burning sensation, I have blood in my urine, and possibly the worst of all is my inability to have intercourse. So as if being unable to work and being broke wasn't bad enough now my manhood has been compromised. I don't have much else to offer other than death. On February 2nd I went to Urgent care where they put me on another 7 day dosage of antibiotics and more pain pills. After getting blood work and urine samples although they couldn't inform me what was wrong with me, they call me a couple of days later in front of my wife that it definitely wasn't an STD! Yeah, imagine my reaction, I wasn't even aware that that was an option. They said that I needed to see a Urologist as soon as possible. So if that wasn't enough, a week later on February 9th I went to the Emergency Room and after doing blood work, urine sample, X-rays, and a ultrasound that too couldn't explain to me the cause of my pain. They diagnosed me with Hematuria which is Blood in my urine which I had already realized prior to diagnosis. So as if that wasn't enough, they informed me that there was nothing else they could do for me. They didn't even give me any additional pain pills. They told me that I needed to so a Urologist as soon as possible. So if that wasn't enough, I contacted the VA Healthcare center and relayed a message to my Primary care provider. She told me that in order for her to authorize my referral to a Urologist that I had to get my Emergency Room records to her. So as if that wasn't enough I could bring up my medical records on my app but since the VA is an outside entity, I had to drive to Gainesville, Ga which is about an hour from me and physically pick up my records, but upon arrival when I got there the computers were down because of construction being done in the area and accidentally cutting the power cord to the system. So if that wasn't enough now I have to wait until Friday, keep in mind this was on a Monday, because I had to wait until Kim got paid because I didn't have gas money to make another trip down there. Friday comes I get the records and get them to my VA Healthcare Primary care provider and they said they would call me to set up an appointment. So if that wasn't enough, they called and told me that they wouldn't be able to get me in until June at the earliest . I had Kim on 3 way and she told the nurse that that was unacceptable. I told her I would be dead by June at this rate. So she told me I was eligible for Community Care which is a program that can get you in to see a provider outside of the VA Hospital and that can be in closer proximity to your location and the VA will take care of my financial responsibilities. They told me it can take 2 weeks for this process to go into effect. That was 3 weeks ago, I called today and they told me to try again on Friday. Family, I turn to you because no one should have to suffer this much pain for this long just because they are unable to pay to seek medical assistance. I am in constant pain and I am not even sure what I am dealing with and the reason they tell me it's imperative that I see a Urologist is because they have to send a camera down there to determine what is going on. Rob, I really appreciate your words of inspiration. Faye, thank you for taking the time to pray with me. Joseph, thank you for praying with me and sharing the story of the Woman that is dealing with all of her battles with Cancer to let me know that no matter how bad I think I've got it, and you agreed that I do have it pretty bad , that there is someone out there that has it worst. You told me to make God my main ingredient and not a supplemental ingredient, so this is me making him my main ingredient. He instructed as we as guided through this entire process. I debated doing this for quite some time now, I also have some that didn't agree with my decision to do this. When you hate to go to the bathroom from the pain you will experience during the process it is time to take extreme measures. I was reluctant because I don't you all to think is everytime you hear from me once again I'm in financial assistance. I'm just looking to help bridge the gap until I can get full VA Medical attention. I can promise you that this isn't no where near one of my proudest moments having to come to you like this as a Veteran of the United States Army. For complete transparency I have enclosed my medical records from Urgent care and the Emergency Room. In closing if you don't hear from me or see me often it's not because I don't Love you and prefer not to spend time with you. The majority of the time I am miserable and you know what they say about misery. I prefer to keep my negative opinions and feelings to myself. I don't want to rain on anyone's parade. If you want to donate and don't trust gofundme, my profile on cashapp is $rjsdad1, Zelle, or address 182 Alexander Lane Bethlehem ga 30620. Thank you, I Love You all and God Bless ❤️!