Medical Bills, Living Expenses

In late December I went to USC County Hospital after more than a week of severe neck and back pain. I thought I might be there overnight, get some therapy and pain killers and be on my way. Instead, after X-Rays, ultrasound, and an MRI, I was diagnosed with an epidural abscess located between my C5 and C6 verterbrae. The infection was also present in my bloodstream. In addition, a week after that I found out that I also had an intradural abscess, meaning the infection was throughout my spine. Surgery was talked about, but I was told the success rate for that was between 10 and 30 percent, so my doctor and I decided on a course of antibiotics. I spent a month at USC, and was then transfered to Rancho Los Amigos, a hospital/rehabilitation clinic in Downey. A side-effect of the infection was an almost stroke-like effect of rendering the right side of my body almost paralyzed. When I arrived at Rancho I was solely using a wheelchair, but they got me on my feet and walking (with forearm crutches) within a month. I also completed the antibiotic treatment while I was there, and the final MRI showed the infection had all but disappeared.

So after two months hospitalized I am now at home, but any earnings I had dried-up while I was incapacitated, and I've racked-up a whopping amount of medical bills. While I can get around, I've still got some lingering numbness and weakness on my right side, which makes finding work difficult. So, in short (too late?) I need help trying to pay down the medical costs and just have money for things like food and electricity. Any help would be appreciated, and my thanks and gratitude in advance.

Brent