Help for Andrea's Medical Expenses

After one of the most emotionally and physically grueling years I could imagine (2012/2013), I will finally be graduating with my bachelors degree from the University of San Francisco in three weeks. As someone who intended to pursue medicine from probably the age of 7, and had acquired quite a bit of experience in healthcare prior to being diagnosed with this complicated neurological disorder, I can honestly say I never really understood what it meant to be a patient. To be so vulnerably dependent, not recognizing yourself after so many medicines and side effects, and feeling betrayed by the loss of control of your own body. I remember a time last year, 22 at the time, just being released from the hospital, walking with a cane because the neuropathy (nerve pain) was so intense, a hat to cover the loss of hair, and watching my peers enjoy the sunny weather. I remember thinking, "I can't believe I thought I was going to be a doctor, I can't believe I thought I would live forever". I was angry with the world and myself. I had dedicated my adolescence and adulthood to helping others, so why me? Where did I go wrong? It just didn't seem fair. Frustrated with failed treatments, I gave up thinking my health would only continue to deteriorate.

In August, I changed neurologists for the last time and with that completely changed medication regimens; a month later I no longer need a cane and two months later my hair grew back - even more beautiful than before haha! (with the help of prenatal vitamins and my longtime stylist Chelsea).

Since then, I went back to school full-time, I now write weekly columns for a newspaper My First Article (discussing my illness for the first time), and I went on a medical research trip to Cuba which led me to an invitation to speak at the 41st Annual Sociology and Anthropology Conference in Santa Clara, CA. Following my interests in global health, I will also attend Semmelweis Medical University in Budapest, Hungary after graduation.

After last year there isn't anything I feel I can't handle, and although I am sometimes still angry that I have to go to the doctor so many times a month (or that I have so many doctors), I feel lucky to know how far I have come and how much I can handle.

However, I have also learned when to ask for help, and I need YOUR help in paying back some medical (mostly hospital) bills which the insurance did not cover. Any amount helps. Please spread the word. THANK YOU!