Tiff's fight with COVID19

For those who haven't been following my story on Facebook, I've been battling COVID19 for 68 days. I've survived 2 potentially deadly cytokine storms and have have been pretty miserable the whole time. I now have pneumonia and a kidney infection and my doctor is worried about my liver, kidney function and my thyroid as I'm losing hair in clumps and breaking nails. Tonight I started passing what she thinks are kidney stones and there are serious concerns my body is breaking down itself because it's running out of resources. A little bit about my doc. She is wonderful and is the owner of a direct family practice. She's been my doc for 10 years; knows me and all my complications. Because she uses a direct family practice model, I pay her $65 a month for unlimited access but she doesnt accept insurance. The trade off for me is that I've had contact with her daily for 68 days, she's come to my home to give ivs and has been in contact with Italian and New York docs when I first got sick to get me the front of the line research that saved my life on at least 2 occasions. The only issue is the meds she is using are either nutritional ( high doses of Vit C, B , and D, aspirin, guaifenesin and a iv hydration powder) and prescription dexamethasone, zofran, benadryl, and iv fluid. All are research based. As of today, we're looking at big doses of melatonin. Each iv runs $200 out of pocket which isnt bad comparatively and insurance won't pay as it's considered experimental. At first we were doing monthly, then twice weekly and now as things are going downhill fast, likely weekly, all of it coming out of pocket. My choice is do this and stay out of the hospital where I get ventilated and likely die. I have a POA written out and instructions done. My choice is to stay out of the hospital if I can for as long as I can. Unfortunately as I get sicker, I cant continue my hours as a telehealth social worker and my disability check wont cover rent and health care so I'm left asking for help. It's not my favorite choice because I've learned on friends and family so much while I've been on quarantine since February. My promise is that when this is all over, I will be paying it forward in whatever ways I can. I have been loved so much I want to share that with others too. I thank you with all of my heart!