I've been dealing with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) for 4 years now. I was diagnosed on Valentine's Day night, 2019, when my then-husband was out of state on business. It's been a rough road with multiple different oral chemo medications and a trial medication with technologically advanced drugs called TKIs, Tyrosine Kinease Inhibitors. These are incredible lifesaving drugs, but come with a host of side effects that are difficult to function on, especially for a single mom of 3, going through what became an ugly divorce. In January 2024, I presented with some deeply concerning symptoms the day after New Year, and underwent my third bone marrow biopsy to discover I had developed a mutation medicine couldn't overcome. It was decided I needed a Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplant. Initially scheduled for May 9, 2024, it got bumped back to July 18, 2024--the day after my 40th birthday. This transplant is an intense process, requiring a month's stay in the hospital, plus 24-hour family caregivers to be with me for 3 months (100 days) after that. Because I live over 45 miles away from my treatment hospital (one of the best in the country for this procedure), I must stay in a hotel nearby for those 3 months/100 days. Any deviation from this plan means no transplant. No transplant means the CML wins. I have received an incredible amount of emotional, spiritual, and physical support from people the world over, which is why I hate to ask for financial support as well. But I am swallowing my pride because I do need help. One year into my diagnosis, near the beginning of COVID shutdowns, my husband of 18 years left me and our 3 kids (then all minors). I haven't been able to qualify for SSI or SSDI, and our only source of income--child support and alimony--just took a significant hit when my oldest graduated high school this June. Over the last 3 years, I have endeavored to turn my home garden into a small, family-run business. It has been a surprising success, but the start-up costs, business fees, and my inability to work much has slowed growth, so the business remains neutral in terms of profit. I have applied for outside grants through a wide variety of charitable organizations and did receive some minor funds of $50 and $100. Unfortunately, most places are tapped out and no longer accepting applications due to a lack of funding. I am asking for help with out-of-pocket medical and related expenses which total $11,000 (paid for by credit card which has just been maxed out), plus hotel charges totaling $6000. These include: Car maintenance and gas from an hour's drive each way to my treatment hospital, often multiple times a month or occasionally even every week; food I had to put on a credit card for several months while our SNAP benefits were pending; estate attorney fees; divorce attorney fees related to my oldest child's graduation and legal issues with my ex; out-of-pocket medical bills; required services and therapies related to my treatment/recovery; utility bills; medically required hotel stays for 3 months (potentially longer if something goes wrong) which are discounted but not free, totaling approximately $6000. If you are able to help in any way, I can't express how grateful I would be. Every penny counts.
Artículos relacionados
