My name is April. I lost my husband, far too young in 2019, and both of my sons are grown now.
Fast forward to May 5th of 2026. Unable to afford to live on my own in Colorado, I moved in with my sister in Missouri, also an empty nester. We felt like my move would benefit both of us, and I was excited to start this new chapter in my life! Packed up most everything I owned from our family home of 30 years and my youngest son drove the 10 hour trip to my sister's home in Warrensburg.
Within less than 2 weeks, I found myself in th ER and an emergency transfer, by ambulance (early morning of May 19th). I waited in the hospital for them to add me to the surgical schedule (which they never had me on). I was finally able to have my surgery on the 25th, to remove blood clots that had formed in my abdomen (as a result of the drive here)! The hospital I was sent to was in KC. Immediately after the surgery on the 25th and subsequent release on the 26th, I began retaining mass amounts of fluid on my body, bringing my 5'5" frame and weight in the 130's to a whopping 255 lbs!
It was impossible for me to get up and moving. The hospital wanted to keep me 3 more days for observation. I told them that it just wasn't possible for me to stay, but I was willing to come in for outpatient appointments.
They said I was refusing their recommendations. (They had changed their story the morning I was to be released.) They refused to do my follow-up care or to send in my urgently needed prescriptions to a pharmacy in Warrensburg. I was unable to be seen by anyone until my insurance finally cleared at the end of June. I had to get a patient advocate to help me finally get a PCP! I was unable to be seen until July 7th, the day after my 55th birthday, and over a month since my surgery! I had so much fluid on my abdomen that it got into my lungs, and I ended up with pneumonia.
I was waking from a nap and couldn't breathe! I was rushed off to another ER (this time in Clinton, MO) who then sent me to a hospital (in Lee's Summit) with specialists that could better treat me, and clean the wounds on my legs (I had fallen creating a split in my swollen legs, and causing a nasty bacterial infection that ate into my skin).
I was just released last week (after 3 days stay). I am still fighting the infection and fluid build-up on my body, After medication and treatment I managed to lose 88 lbs of the 128 I had retained! I still have, roughly, about 30ish lbs left to go. My sister decided it just made sense to be my care-giver throughout this nightmare, but it ate into her earnings, and my savings causing both of us to become behind on monthly bills, which left her unable to make her car payment on-time. The dealership has repossessed her car!
My savings are now gone trying to help cover what bills, and medical supplies that I needed.
Since my sister couldn't really work much due to my care needs (weve been unable to receive any monetary assistance for her bills, so we've lost access to water, and soon, electricity) I have been unable to register my car ( the only vehicle we have now) and now she is unable make money as a delivery driver and I am unable to make it to my doctor's and other necessary appointments! I am hoping to be approved for SSDI (the end of August) Ive been unable to register my vehicle, pay my car insurance, and phone bill (all on hold until the end of the month) We're unable to find any agency able to help with any of it. If I am not approved by SSDI, we will really be in serious trouble!
Please, anything you can send will be very helpful, and appreciated! If you are unable to help financially at this time, please, share my link. Thank you for reading this, and your help in getting me through this healing process!
Update: I am on the final stretch to recovery! I have about 10 more pounds of fluid to go! I will still need to address the issues with my spine and nerves, but I can now walk short distances before resting without assistance.
I have finally received my SSDI approval letter, but won't receive funds until next month after the 9th. Out of food, gas, laundry and could use a little help. If you can, please donate, every little bit helps, and thank you in advance! If you can't, please share, thanks so much!
