Sara's Road to Recovery & Journey Home

Dear Friends,

This is really hard for me to do. I never thought I would be here, in a position where I need to ask for help but here I am.

Back in September 2022, I woke up one day, blind in my right eye. After an emergency appointment at the eye Doctor it showed that my eye had hemorrhaged due to out of control type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension. This was surprising to me because I had been intermittently fasting for 2 years (18 hrs fasting, 6 hour window to eat) and when I did eat, it was salad and soup. And I am a vegetarian and I wasn’t consuming sugar or processed foods. I thought I was being healthy.

Apparently, more than diet, was my stress levels. I had been running at such a fast pace for such a long time, that I didn’t notice that my body was breaking down. I chalked up my pain to working on my feet 12 hrs a day, doing restaurant work for years as just what happens. The emotional stress of the last year (John dying) on top of the physical stress was apparently too much and it took me down.

In November my GP did blood work and results showed that I also have Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 3 - damage done from stress, diet and pain medication (non prescription) I was taking to control my pain. If I do not get this under control, I am looking at dialysis and then a kidney transplant. Two things do not wish to experience.

My eye doctor started administering shots in both of my eyes in Sept and by mid November I was seeing again. I was very relieved, but I have a lot of healing to do with these three diagnosis. I am on a strict renal diet, exercising and trying to forgive myself for the damage I have done. I started meditating and learning breath work which has helped so much.

I was even offered a job in December which was perfect for me. 15 hours a week, remote tech job, no stress, good money and a way to sustain myself as I heal. My job started the first week of January 2023 and by the third day, I woke up and my eye had re hemorrhaged so I am blind in my right eye again. I had to give up my job and now my life is mostly Dr. appointments and relying on my friends to get me from here to there. And nothing is close (one Dr is 40 minutes away, the other 1.5 hrs) I am very grateful for the assistance I receive from them because without them, this situation would be impossible for me to navigate.

I have filed for short term and long term disability but this process can take up to a year. My Dr.’s have told me that my healing process will be a long one and I need to give my body a chance to recover. I am going to have surgery on my eye to repair the capillaries that are damaged to stop the hemorrhaging but even then they aren’t sure this will be a permanent solution.

The amount of money I am asking for covers all of my bills and necessities for the next 12 months. By then, the disability insurance should be available.

I can’t say I regret anything, I don’t, because you know when you know. Now that I know, I will approach my healing with the same resolve and focus that got me here. And if in any way my experience brings an awareness to you about your health and affects positive change, then I surely do not regret anything at all.

Thank you for your donation and for your love and healing prayers. Everything is appreciated and I will be happy to give updates as they happen.

With love and gratitude,

Sara

Other ways to donate: Zelle is a way to avoid fees and send money directly into an account that has been set up for this fundraiser. GFM doesn't like this option, hence the way I've spelled out my number. If you've never used Zelle, simply go into your online baking app and in the menu should be an option that says 'Zelle'. Type in the number as you would a phone number and my intinals 'SR' will show up. I bank with Umpqua. My number: Nine25-Nine63-Two541

CASH APP USERNAME: $ERW2019