The Story:
I’m writing this because, after seven years of trying to "tough it out" on my own, I’ve finally hit a wall.
I moved to the US from the UK in late 2018, fully legal and finally closing the gap on my long distance relationship. But due to a massive error by my wedding officiant—who didn't file my marriage license—I ended up in a legal nightmare. Through no fault of my own, I was detained by ICE for five weeks because of a tiny three-week overstay I wasn't even aware was an issue because I married within the 90 day limit.
Since then, it’s been a constant uphill battle to work and live here without issue. I’ve been fighting for my residency and they confiscated my passport at my detainment. Subsequently I haven't been able to leave the US or see my family and friends back home since 2018. Even when I finally got my Green card in 2024 I just couldn’t afford to travel home.
The health side of things hasn't been much kinder. While navigating all the legal stress and being uninsured for over six years, I’ve dealt with a cancerous gallbladder (luckily caught early) and ongoing issues and several small surgeries for stents with my liver disease (PSC).
I’ve managed to keep my head above water, but the costs have been eye-watering—over $40,000 and my life savings into minus figures.
Why I’m asking for help now:
In October 2025, I was diagnosed with a meningioma—a brain tumour about the size of a large lemon. I’m scheduled for surgery in April 2026.
The recovery is going to be a long one (about six months), and for the first time, I won’t be able to work to cover my bills and medical co-pays. I’m honestly just exhausted. My mental health has been so bad that I closed my old Facebook not wanting to admit that my fairytale was in fact a complete nightmare. My wedding already felt very lonely and then all this. I just isolated myself to just deal with this myself.
Now I just want to focus on getting through this surgery without the constant stress of how I’m going to pay for the next thing and the next thing. The American health system is ridiculously expensive and I miss the NHS!
Once I’ve recovered from the surgery and have my health back, my absolute priority is finally, finally getting back to the UK to see my family. It’s been nearly seven years, and I just need to feel safe and settled again. Hopefully I will be cleared to drive again and fly sooner rather than later post op.
If you’ve crossed paths with me at school, at work, or just in passing, any help—even just a share—would mean the world.
I just want to get back to feeling myself and the person I was before America broke me into a shell of myself.
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