Struggling With Addison's...
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WRITTEN BY KATE TIERNAN: Michelle Alexis Cartier has suffered misdiagnosed and untreated health issues for over 8 years. In June 2013, she finally received the proper diagnosis of Addison's - a rare and potentially life threatening disease. When Michelle informed her employer - two weeks later - she was wrongfully terminated! Please read her story below and hopefully, together, we can pitch in to help cover monthly cobra insurance premiums and basic living expenses until she receives disability benefits. Michelle Alexis Cartier, a 49-year-old single female and proud mother of two, has battled numerous medical issues for almost a decade. Over this period, thirty-five doctors and ten specialists have reviewed her symptoms, both in hospitals and clinics, but continually found normal test results and concluded that it must be in her head. It was frustrating and disheartening for her that no one would listen! However, Michelle was determined, tenacious and persistent about finding answers to her health issues which forced her to do her own research. She used the Internet by listing all her symptoms and repeatedly found a rare autoimmune disease called Addison's disease. On the verge of giving up, Michelle decided to try one more doctor. When she goggled Top Endocrinologists Treating Patients With Rare Adrenal Diseases she found a specialist at Mass General Hospital in Boston, MA. After this doctor took the time to review Michelle's complete medical history, from a nonjudgmental perspective, he finally asked her to tell her story. Then he ran a simple standard cortisol blood test. A month and a half after meeting this doctor, she was finally diagnosed with Addison's disease - a rare autoimmune disease which can be life threatening if not properly treated and/or faced with complications of the disease causing an Addison's Crisis. He immediately started her on steroids.
Michelle's excitement from finally being validated quickly disappeared into fear of her medical condition and being misdiagnosed and untreated for so many years. Addison's Disease is an autoimmune disease that attacks organs/body. Because Michelle was not treated for years, the disease has had a devastating effect on her overall health. Due to her complications of Addison's and ineffective steroid treatment, she does not have quality of life. Everyday is a struggle!
Michelle's excitement from finally being validated quickly disappeared into fear of her medical condition and being misdiagnosed and untreated for so many years. Addison's Disease is an autoimmune disease that attacks organs/body. Because Michelle was not treated for years, the disease has had a devastating effect on her overall health. Due to her complications of Addison's and ineffective steroid treatment, she does not have quality of life. Everyday is a struggle!
When Michelle received her Addison's diagnosis, June 2013, she thought it was only right to inform her employer. Her honesty changed her life in a way she never dreamed of! Unfortunately, two weeks after informing her employer of her diagnosis, she was wrongfully terminated.
It is extremely difficult for Michelle now because she has always had a natural out-going personality, happy attitude with a smile on her face, adventurous, energetic and a health nut at the gym 5 days a week "“ until this past year. She is an intelligent, hard working, will-do-whatever it takes to reach her sales quota, and reliable, honest, extremely devoted employee.
In December 2013, her Unemployment benefits ended. Her COBRA medical insurance monthly premium is $600. It is vital that she does not lose this coverage and continues without interruption because of her need for lifetime care, treatment, tests etc. and maintain monthly, sometimes bi-weekly, doctor appointments with her five specialists at Mass General.
Michelle's doctor believes from recent test results along with symptoms she has, it's a strong possibility that she has a parathyroid tumor. This disease is called hyperparathyroidism (another disease that commonly gets misdiagnosed over and over by even specialized doctors). The research shows a negative prognosis for patients who DO NOT receive proper medical treatment of shortening life by 5-10 years. In short, the disease causes damage to organs and if left undiagnosed and untreated, death from organ failure will result.
Please Click Link Below For More Info On Hyperparathyroidism
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/hyperparathyroidism-leaflet
Michelle's health has progressed and deteriorated rapidly into chronic fatigue, distress and extreme stress from the fear of losing her health insurance, her dire financial situation and pending eviction notice from her landlord. Though fully aware of her condition, her landlord has given her a notice of eviction for April 2014. Being under constant stress, such as this, puts Michelle at risk of a life threatening Addison's Crisis. Also, the continued discovery of the true complete impact on her health will have from being misdiagnosed for so long. She is too sick, weak and does not have the energy to get ahead or begin the application process for disability benefits. Immediate Financial Assistance is needed to ease Michelle's suffering, feelings of helplessness, the ability to keep her health insurance, which is imperative with her ongoing treatment of Addison's. We need to stop her eviction allowing her to feel safe and stay in her home that she loves so much along with covering her overall monthly expenses for six months until social security disability benefits can be sought!
This fundraiser will help cover some of her immediate needs including visiting nurses two times a week limiting hospital admissions and putting her at risk of more serious infections/issues due to her compromised immune system. In addition, volunteers to assist with errands, light housekeeping and any other things are being sought. Michelle is currently unable to manage these simple tasks at the present time and needs support to get her back on her feet. Raising funds to help Michelle will give her peace of mind; will allow her to focus on getting better/stronger and give her hope again. Although she is happy to finally be getting answers, Michelle continues to get test and most of her results are not good due to complications from being misdiagnosed and concerned about her future. Each diagnosis she receives is treatable however not irreversible or curable.
It is extremely difficult for Michelle now because she has always had a natural out-going personality, happy attitude with a smile on her face, adventurous, energetic and a health nut at the gym 5 days a week "“ until this past year. She is an intelligent, hard working, will-do-whatever it takes to reach her sales quota, and reliable, honest, extremely devoted employee.
In December 2013, her Unemployment benefits ended. Her COBRA medical insurance monthly premium is $600. It is vital that she does not lose this coverage and continues without interruption because of her need for lifetime care, treatment, tests etc. and maintain monthly, sometimes bi-weekly, doctor appointments with her five specialists at Mass General.
Michelle's doctor believes from recent test results along with symptoms she has, it's a strong possibility that she has a parathyroid tumor. This disease is called hyperparathyroidism (another disease that commonly gets misdiagnosed over and over by even specialized doctors). The research shows a negative prognosis for patients who DO NOT receive proper medical treatment of shortening life by 5-10 years. In short, the disease causes damage to organs and if left undiagnosed and untreated, death from organ failure will result.
Please Click Link Below For More Info On Hyperparathyroidism
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/hyperparathyroidism-leaflet
Michelle's health has progressed and deteriorated rapidly into chronic fatigue, distress and extreme stress from the fear of losing her health insurance, her dire financial situation and pending eviction notice from her landlord. Though fully aware of her condition, her landlord has given her a notice of eviction for April 2014. Being under constant stress, such as this, puts Michelle at risk of a life threatening Addison's Crisis. Also, the continued discovery of the true complete impact on her health will have from being misdiagnosed for so long. She is too sick, weak and does not have the energy to get ahead or begin the application process for disability benefits. Immediate Financial Assistance is needed to ease Michelle's suffering, feelings of helplessness, the ability to keep her health insurance, which is imperative with her ongoing treatment of Addison's. We need to stop her eviction allowing her to feel safe and stay in her home that she loves so much along with covering her overall monthly expenses for six months until social security disability benefits can be sought!
This fundraiser will help cover some of her immediate needs including visiting nurses two times a week limiting hospital admissions and putting her at risk of more serious infections/issues due to her compromised immune system. In addition, volunteers to assist with errands, light housekeeping and any other things are being sought. Michelle is currently unable to manage these simple tasks at the present time and needs support to get her back on her feet. Raising funds to help Michelle will give her peace of mind; will allow her to focus on getting better/stronger and give her hope again. Although she is happy to finally be getting answers, Michelle continues to get test and most of her results are not good due to complications from being misdiagnosed and concerned about her future. Each diagnosis she receives is treatable however not irreversible or curable.
Great Sites Offering Educational Information On Addison's Disease For Patients, Family, Care Givers And The Healthcare Industry:
http://www.nadf.us/diseases/addisons.htm
http://www.addisons.org.uk/info/manual/adshgguidelines.pdf
http://www.addisons.org.uk/comms/publications/AD073-whatisaddisons-colour.pdf
Addison's Disease Is Very Serious And Life Threatening - Whether Young Or Old People With This Rare Disease Die From Complications Of Their Disease; Nicole's Story Died Age 36: Nicole Leah Brown, age 36, passed away in her home on September 15th. Nicole was born in Dayton, Ohio and graduated from Northmont High School in 1995. Before becoming ill, Nicole pursued her passion for nursing and helping others, working at Miami Valley Hospital as a nursing assistant. She poured her loving and generous heart into her family and friends and despite her illness did all she could to put others first at any cost. Nikki's unique sense of humor and inspiring strength will continue to touch the lives of her friends and family long after her passing. Nicole suffered with Addison's, Cushing's, Hashimoto, COPD and numerous auto immune diseases for many years, being misdiagnosed and mistreated due to the medical field's lack of knowledge and treatment of such rare diseases.
http://www.nadf.us/tributes/index.htm
http://www.nadf.us/diseases/addisons.htm
http://www.addisons.org.uk/info/manual/adshgguidelines.pdf
http://www.addisons.org.uk/comms/publications/AD073-whatisaddisons-colour.pdf
Addison's Disease Is Very Serious And Life Threatening - Whether Young Or Old People With This Rare Disease Die From Complications Of Their Disease; Nicole's Story Died Age 36: Nicole Leah Brown, age 36, passed away in her home on September 15th. Nicole was born in Dayton, Ohio and graduated from Northmont High School in 1995. Before becoming ill, Nicole pursued her passion for nursing and helping others, working at Miami Valley Hospital as a nursing assistant. She poured her loving and generous heart into her family and friends and despite her illness did all she could to put others first at any cost. Nikki's unique sense of humor and inspiring strength will continue to touch the lives of her friends and family long after her passing. Nicole suffered with Addison's, Cushing's, Hashimoto, COPD and numerous auto immune diseases for many years, being misdiagnosed and mistreated due to the medical field's lack of knowledge and treatment of such rare diseases.
http://www.nadf.us/tributes/index.htm
Organizer
Michelle Alexis Cartier
Organizer
North Smithfield, RI
