Debbie's Lupus Medical Fund

Hello everyone! My name is Debbie and I have been battling Lupus since 2003. Everyone that knows me, knows I'm a private person and do not like to "put myself out there" nor am I looking for pity. I am very fortunate to live the life I do, I am a single mother to 4 beautiful, amazing and healthy children that are the reason I do everything I do in life. Their father choose to walk and disappear from our lives in 2005 and it's been me and the kids ever sinse. Another blessing in my life, the amazing family and friends that have stood by me and been a support system most people could only hope to have. I love them dearly and owe them each so much.
I have been blessed with having an amazing career for many years that allowed my family to live a comfortable life. Unfortunately, life has a way of creeping up on you when you least except it and things change, quickly. I'm not perfect and have made mistakes as we sometimes do, which I've learned from. And I do try to be positive but sometimes, more so lately, it's been harder and harder. About 1 year ago, things drastcally changed and not for the better. My symptoms became worse and the flare ups more frequent. Lately, I'm in the hospital at least once/twice a month. From the outside you’d never guess the battles I have won or the ones I am fighting today. I have Systemic Lupus Erythmatosus (SLE) and Fibromyalgia and I can honestly say, most days, it's hell.
In late 2009 I got a shock when I learned what lupus really can do. It affected my liver. I didn't know why I was in excruciating pain and it wasn't until I ended up in the ER did they find a large tumor in my liver. By January of 2010 I could no longer ignore the reality that I needed surgery. It was a 5 hour procedure, I was in Oncology ICU for 6 days and an additional 4 days a regular hospital room. Thankfully, the surgery was a success and we monitor my liver every six months. Unfortunately, I was recently told the tumor had returned but thankfully it is still a size that is "manageable" and does not require surgery, for now. Regardless, I still consider myself lucky since my own mother had so many health issue for as long as I could remember. She past away at the young age of 49 from Lupus thankfully never knowing that it is hereditary, which was her biggest fear for me. Thankfully, science and treatment plans have improved greatly since then, which is another thing I consider a blessing.
As you can imagine, learning about 1 year ago that my Lupus is getting worse began a roller coaster ride of emotions and symptoms that continues till this day. Symptoms include recurring infections, joint pains, headaches, persistent fevers, fatigue, depression, rashes, hips throbbing, insomnia, weight fluctuations, vision problems and many more. Since 2013, I’ve seen many doctors and tried many different medications to get my lupus under control and I have been battling other conditions that the doctors have found since then. Lupus has changed my life in many ways. I’m no longer able to work at the pace I used to, if at all most days. I do not currently have insurance which makes getting the medical help I need that much more difficult. Bills pile up. I’m not a constant presence at my daughters choir performance, my sons wrestling matches, doing things I used to do like running from one school function to the next. My days are now spent battling the symptoms, trying to work with Dr's and/or in the ER that can only put a bandage on my disease but cannot treat it. This is the very reason I must swallow my pride and ask for help. I want to be the person my kids remember. I want them to know I did everything I could to be the very best physically and emotionally for them. I have found an excellent rheumatologist that I believe can help me. She did before I lost my job and no longer have health insurance. She has done what she can but it doesn't just end with her. There is blood work, pathology work, medications and other treatment related issues I cannot afford. There is an intravenous medication that is considered that has been extremely successful and effective for us fighting Lupus which makes me very hopeful! But is it expensive. The weekly cost of treatments is $2,250 and I need 12 weeks of treatment. This should help boost my immune system which would make a world of difference in the quality of life I would have. My Dr., the amazing person she is, is also helping by forgoing her office fee and some other associated fees to help out but I'm still left with approximately $27,000 needed for this treatment. I plan on having lots of garage sales and selling off individual items online so watch out :)! But I can't do it all by myself, which is why I'm here asking my family and friends to help me and my family get the medical attention I need until I get insurance that will hopefully enable me to work with my medical team who is working to help me have a "normal" life. Any amount will help, regardless, please know that! It's very humbling to be in this position, especially when you've always thought you can do it all. And I know it's a lot but I do thank you for even considering. Some of you have already helped in many ways and I want to again, profoundly thank you!! I know I'm ready to stand with friends and family to stare Lupus down and fight it with everything I have!! Will you please join me in my/our fight against lupus? Also, I believe in the power of prayer so please know that I completely understand not everyone is in a position to help financially, I would more than welcome prayers from all!! I will be posting weekly updates once treatment starts to keep everyone updated so please check back in from time to time. Again, many thanks!!