Staying Afloat

2023 was a tough year for my medical struggles. I missed a lot of work and ended up having FMLA that didn't pay me until two months into my leave in the summer. We scrambled to pay bills and to stay on top of everything while my husband looked for work after getting laid off due to outsourcing. I was in and out of the hospital, had two ambulance rides, and racked up tons of medical debt. Being the sole source of income, I struggled to try and work through the worst of my pain and one of the worst mental health crisis I've had in ten years.

Bills nearly doubled since the pandemic measures fell in Spring. It was something I could still handle at least for six more months until a job opportunity lined up for my husband in November. However, that fell through as companies continue to not hire and instead 'restructure' after applications open. We have met dead end after dead end.

These are the looming costs for the next two months that I do not know how we will face without help. I have tried to apply for every government and local assistance, applied for loans, and even have tried payment arrangements. I have been denied at every turn or arrangements fell through and created a bigger mess. It's terrifying to ask for so much help, especially when so many are going through it. But I am so scared we will lose everything as I no longer have any answers or anyone I can turn to for advice or help.

This is how much all of the bills total that are due at the end of this month. I still have to pay $340 in copay for my MRI but I have rescheduled that for March. I'm hoping by then we can find something stable and I won't need to ask for that help either. It's also a struggle to put food on the table as we were denied EBT benefits since my husband is "fit for work" despite applying to twenty jobs every day with no success. Food pantries around us are by referral or are limited to one hour for shopping for first come first serve. We have not been fortunate to get in to any of them so far but are continuing to try. We also have looming house repairs that are required by our mobile home park to be completed in the next two months or else we face eviction. Since the weather has been icy and the town shut down, we have not been able to get quotes for these. I may be adding on to this fundraiser once we get those quotes but I am frankly terrified of that whole ordeal and must focus on paying these bills now.

Thank you if you have read all this. I have been so scared to post this but I know I must swallow those fears and be vulnerable in order to keep us afloat.