Home damaged by flood, Aurora CO

As many of you have seen on my Facebook page, our home was flooded during the recent storm here in Colorado. I won't begin to even compare it to some of the devastation in the northern counties. But it has been enough to almost break our spirits. Like most Coloradans, we did not have flood insurance.

For the past year and a half, our biggest concern was to protect my lungs from further damage. Every decision we've made was to keep me from the enviable bouts of pneumonia. Finally in June I had the right lung lobectomy. It was a longer recovery than I anticipated, but I finally returned to work at the beginning of September.

Thursday, I woke on a much needed day off, stepped out of bed into sopping wet carpet. Water was seeping through the walls, I walked into the bathroom and there was more than an inch of water on the floor. The family room had water more than 2 inches deep. Water was flowing in the boys room, and the laundry. Water was everywhere, and it wouldn't stop. Dallas came home with a large Shop Vac and worked on the deepest areas out in the family room, while I desperately tried to catch up in the bedrooms with the smaller unit. The rains never let up, in fact the more time passed the higher the water level got, at the highest point was more than 4 inches. I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but when you are watching it seep into all of your possessions, it is heartbreaking. This went on of 5 days, in total we pumped over 5000 gallons of water out of our home. Already mold has begun to grow.

We've had to remove all of the carpeting, underpadding, trim and cut the drywall 2 feet up. We need to repair everything. Most of the furniture is damaged and will need to be replaced as well-couches, dressers, and beds are the biggest losses.

I never thought I would do something like this. I can live without possessions, but I don't want that for my boys who have been amazing through all of this. But I'm also terrified of how living in these conditions will affect my delicate lungs. Saving what I have left is essential. Without a paycheck for the last 3 months, we are at a desperate time. I would have loved to hear that FEMA was going to help us out, but they are only assisting those in the most devastated areas. I'm at my end, but when you see me I'll still be smiling, because I have hope that this will somehow work out for us.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and if you're able to help us a little we would be extremely grateful. But if you just pop in or call to see how we are faring. Or tell a joke if we seem discouraged we'd love that just as well. Thank you all so much. -Cori