Hello All,
I want to thank you for taking the time to stop and look, you may or may not be able to help in anyway other than your thoughts and prayers but anything is greatly appreciated at this point as I have reached the end of my rope.
This is embarrassing to do and difficult to ask but I have run out of alternatives. Through most of my life I have dealt with chronic illnesses. At a young age, I was given a grim prognosis of how my life would be, what I could expect and things I would not be able to do. It has been a constant struggle but I have continued to prove doctors wrong, becoming a self sufficient person, enjoying a long career doing something I love and seeing the world. Although over the years I have had some tough medical events, some I almost didn't make it through. I carried on, overcame, dusted myself off and started over again. I have never relied on someone else to take my burdens, I have never filed bankruptcy, I have never been on any assistance program or used any type of disability.
About 8 years ago I went through a long battle that was physically and mentally draining. This event took everything I had to overcome. I made it through, I lost everything and was forced to make some drastic life changes. I had to start over at zero by the time it was done, hard to start over in your early 40's but I did it again. Life was more difficult, my body wasn't what it used to be but I knew it wouldn't be easy. I was able to get on with one of the greatest companies in the world (they have done what they could to support me at this time, things most companies would never consider). Just as everything was getting back on track, I was climbing out of a deep whole and feeling good again. Then BOOM...a little over a year ago I began having Grand Mal seizures. Along with these seizures came a bucket full of other problems. Migraines, problems with balance and dizzy spells, mild issues with nerve damage, problems finding words, memory issues and carrying on conversations due to losing my train of thought, previously diagnosed issues such as arthritis and fibromyalgia were exasperated and my level of fatigue is unreal. Even with all this I took my normal approach, thinking that finding the right medication and controlling the seizures would alleviate the other issues. It wasn't easy but as soon as they would release me I went back to work. Over the next several months things continued to get worse until a big seizure at the end of May. After that everything really blew up, discussing this with my company we felt it best I take a leave of absence to get a firm diagnosis and treatment plan which would work.
Over the last year I have been hauled off in an ambulance to the ER twice, MRI's, EEGs, CT scans, sleep studies (revealing complex sleep apnea), audiology testing, neuro psych studies and more blood tests and medication changes than I can count, currently on 9 medication and the 4th different anti seizure medication. I have 7 specialist in various fields, one of which being the 3rd neurologist at one of the top ranked facilities in the state. My issues still remain and continue to get worse with no answers. I have never had anything which stopped my life in its tracks. To make things even more challenging, my insurance company has made several mistakes with medical claims (not in my favor). Doctors have not communicated with each other and due to facility policies, liability issues or refusing to assist “because they don't have to” my short term disability through my own insurance has been denied. It is amazing how our health care system has become so unreliable and purely a profit at anyone’s expense system.
I was recently contacted by an old friend who gave me some great advice on what to do from here. I was accepted for an appointment at The Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. The top ranked neurology facility in the country. I have exhausted all of my resource where I live and exhausted my ability to fund the costs of my medical debt and living expanses as well as funding what is probably the last chance I have to get my life back. I have resorted to asking anyone who can or is willing to, please help me get through this most frustrating and difficult time. The costs involved with this, even with a great insurance policy are extraordinary. Any support you can provide is greatly appreciated! As I do not know what the final costs will be, anything left from these donations will be shared for research in seizure and epilepsy disorders. Thank you for reading this long winded story of my life and thank you for your support.