For the past year, our family has been living through one of the most difficult chapters of our lives.
I have been out of work for nearly a year due to serious medical issues that seemed to come one after another. What started as unexplained symptoms eventually led to diagnoses of severe iron deficiency anemia, significant blood loss from gastrointestinal problems, and severe sleep apnea that had gone undiagnosed for far too long.
There were many days when simply getting off the couch felt impossible. I was exhausted beyond anything I had ever experienced, physically weak, and struggling just to make it through the day. As a wife and mother of two young children, ages 3 and 4, it was heartbreaking to feel like I couldn't be the parent I wanted to be.
Throughout this journey, I've undergone surgery in hopes of improving my health. Unfortunately, the procedure was not successful, and it appears that I may need to go through another surgery in the future. The medical bills continue to grow while our income has been dramatically reduced.
My goal has always been to return to work. I want nothing more than to provide for my family and regain a sense of normalcy. However, ongoing medical limitations and restrictions have made getting approval to return to work a difficult and frustrating process.
In an effort to help support our family, I even tried starting a small home-based business. Living in a rural area made it challenging to find customers, and my health often left me without the energy needed to consistently grow the business. Despite my best efforts, it wasn't enough to make a meaningful difference financially.
As the months have gone by, we have exhausted our savings and have begun relying on credit cards just to cover basic living expenses. Those balances continue to grow, while medical bills pile up alongside them. We never imagined we would find ourselves in this position.
I want to be transparent about something: my husband does not know that I am creating this fundraiser. Asking for help is not something that comes easily to me, and I have struggled with the decision to do this. I feel a deep responsibility to help carry the financial burden that my health challenges have placed on our family, and I am doing everything I can to find a way forward.
Any funds raised will go directly toward paying down credit card debt that accumulated while I have been unable to work, covering outstanding medical bills, and helping with transportation costs to and from ongoing medical appointments and treatments.
I am not looking for a handout. I am fighting every day to regain my health and return to work. I simply need a little help getting through this difficult season so that my family can stay afloat while I continue that journey.
If you are able to donate, no matter the amount, it would mean more than I can adequately express. If you are unable to contribute financially, sharing this fundraiser with others would be an incredible gift as well.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking the time to read my story, for your kindness, and for any support you can offer. Your generosity will help ease an overwhelming burden and allow me to focus on what matters most: getting healthy and caring for my family.
With gratitude,
Christine
