Caleb's Medical Fund

It's amazing how a simple diagnosis can change your life. A year ago I was a full time student with a full time job teaching piano and languages, and working on a novel antibiotic research project funded by a full research grant because I designed it myself. It was my life; it was good, I was happy, and I was healthy. It started when I began having severe, excruciating pain which resembled kidney stones and a chronic urinary tract infection. I went to my doctor, the hospital and eventually a urologist thinking I had chronic, recurring kidney stones. They prescribed me medication for kidney stones and antibiotics for UTI which had developed into a severe systemic infection. The antibiotic caused a tendon in my ankle to rupture which limited my mobility. After my 4th consecutive UTI, I was finally diagnosed with acute Interstitial Cystitis, and my whole world seemed to fall apart. IC is a disease that causes the lining of my bladder to erode and eventually dissolve completely. There is constant debilitating pain, and an increased risk of infection that can become fatal. There is no known cure, but there are treatments that restore the bladder lining and allow me to live a somewhat normal life. In one year, I lost my job, had to drop out of college, had to withdrawal from my antibiotic research program, and completely lost my insurance coverage all at the same time. My whole life fell apart. The treatments I need are $8,000 each, and I need them twice a month for several years. The medicine I need in order to protect the newly grown bladder lining costs $700/month. My medical history also includes a related diagnosis of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos, diseases which cause increased heart rate over 200 bpm, and weaken the integrity of my connective tissue. The medication for these genetic diseases are over $300/month. I was denied for Medicare and Disability for unknown reasons which I am still attempting to fight. Right now I'm doing my best to make ends meet. My medical bills are through the roof, and I've done all I can do to stay afloat. If you find if in your heart to help me, any amount is greatly appreciated. Thank you for all your help. Much love, Caleb Helms.