Julie's chronic pain
Donation protected
Today it was determined that my disability income ends. I will (hopefully) receive one more payment in February. It is not guaranteed. So, I have quite the predicament. I already work from home as an insurance broker and have 2 great group accounts that have been sustaining me. These 2 business owners have been wonderful by working with me! Until I can figure out how to get at least 4 more group accounts, I am in trouble. Can you help me until I regain my footing? Many of you have already contributed. If you have, could you please share and re-share my post? If you have not contributed but are on the edge, maybe this will help with your decision. What would really help is if this could go viral. Can you share and ask your friends to share? That would be so helpful! Please see my story below:
My name is Julie and I am the mother of 2 handsome boys and a grandmother of 1 beautiful little girl. I am also 100% disabled. How did this happen? Well, I will tell you.
On October 26th, 2006, I decided I could not live with the agony of addiction anymore. I found a 10 foot overpass and I jumped hoping to break my neck and die. Instead, I broke my back and now live with a compression fracture in my lumbar spine. After 3 months wearing a back brace and physical therapy, I decided to take a job at a laundromat to get out of debt. The fracture then turned into osteoarthritis from the bottom of my back to the top of my neck from lifting heavy, wet clothes. The pain is excruciating. If I do not have pain medication, I cannot get out of my bed to make it to the bathroom. I cannot shower, cook, or drive. I am completely incapacitated.
Since April 19th, 2010, I have been active in recovery, regularly seek outside help, and am in a pain clinic where my medication is managed. My doctor has a specialty in addiction and sees me often. This includes drug testing and strict rules (I sign a contract) that I follow to be sure I stay on track. I wear a pain patch that costs about $400 a month. It is the only solution that caters to a person with my conditions (addiction and chronic pain). The cost of that medication plus the others I have to take have put me in severe financial straits. I am now putting my medications on my credit card. My debt is spiraling.
The money raised will go towards the cost of my medications, but specifically the pain patch. It is called Butrans. Any help you can offer will provide me more opportunity to focus on my recovery and to be able to work with a clear mind, knowing I don't have to worry as much about the debt I am incurring and compounding. I have spent $2630.60 from January 1 through November 30th, 2015. I do have insurance, but I am in the donut hole with my Medicare Advantage plan. In this stage, I pay about 45% of the actual brand name drug cost, instead of a copay like many people are used to. I pay 58% of the cost of generic medications. Many generics are still very expensive, like the Etodolac I take for imflammation.
I am able to work about 3 hours a day, which provides me with food and a safe home. I am working hard each day to be a better person and to secure myself financially. It is just very hard right now. I practice yoga almost every day to also alleviate pain and to keep my muscles from atrophy.
I understand some may have harsh judgment regarding my addiction, but I promise you I work hard today to make things better for myself and others. I have no one to help me. I am not married, do not have a signficant other, and my parents are elderly. I need the medications to keep going, to keep being active in recovery and in life. I am grateful to be alive, and grateful that you may help.
Julie
My name is Julie and I am the mother of 2 handsome boys and a grandmother of 1 beautiful little girl. I am also 100% disabled. How did this happen? Well, I will tell you.
On October 26th, 2006, I decided I could not live with the agony of addiction anymore. I found a 10 foot overpass and I jumped hoping to break my neck and die. Instead, I broke my back and now live with a compression fracture in my lumbar spine. After 3 months wearing a back brace and physical therapy, I decided to take a job at a laundromat to get out of debt. The fracture then turned into osteoarthritis from the bottom of my back to the top of my neck from lifting heavy, wet clothes. The pain is excruciating. If I do not have pain medication, I cannot get out of my bed to make it to the bathroom. I cannot shower, cook, or drive. I am completely incapacitated.
Since April 19th, 2010, I have been active in recovery, regularly seek outside help, and am in a pain clinic where my medication is managed. My doctor has a specialty in addiction and sees me often. This includes drug testing and strict rules (I sign a contract) that I follow to be sure I stay on track. I wear a pain patch that costs about $400 a month. It is the only solution that caters to a person with my conditions (addiction and chronic pain). The cost of that medication plus the others I have to take have put me in severe financial straits. I am now putting my medications on my credit card. My debt is spiraling.
The money raised will go towards the cost of my medications, but specifically the pain patch. It is called Butrans. Any help you can offer will provide me more opportunity to focus on my recovery and to be able to work with a clear mind, knowing I don't have to worry as much about the debt I am incurring and compounding. I have spent $2630.60 from January 1 through November 30th, 2015. I do have insurance, but I am in the donut hole with my Medicare Advantage plan. In this stage, I pay about 45% of the actual brand name drug cost, instead of a copay like many people are used to. I pay 58% of the cost of generic medications. Many generics are still very expensive, like the Etodolac I take for imflammation.
I am able to work about 3 hours a day, which provides me with food and a safe home. I am working hard each day to be a better person and to secure myself financially. It is just very hard right now. I practice yoga almost every day to also alleviate pain and to keep my muscles from atrophy.
I understand some may have harsh judgment regarding my addiction, but I promise you I work hard today to make things better for myself and others. I have no one to help me. I am not married, do not have a signficant other, and my parents are elderly. I need the medications to keep going, to keep being active in recovery and in life. I am grateful to be alive, and grateful that you may help.
Julie
Organizer
Julie Carroll
Organizer
Nashville, TN
