My name is Peter Joseph Tapia Zayas-bazan . Online I am probably better known as Joseph, the name under which I most usually blog and tweet.

I am 29 years old, and have been suffering for over three years now with a medical condition called Diverticulitis , which can be life threatening. I was seen in urgent care seven times before I was admitted to Mt. Sinai hospital on october 8th after internal bleeding and, at my doctor’s insistence, I underwent a sigmoidectomy on Oct. 14. This involves the removal of my sigmoid colon , which helps to remedy the problem.

I was in the hospital for two weeks and I won’t be allowed to return to work for another three weeks.

This was completely unexpected but I had no choice but to undergo the surgery in order to survive.

I’m always been very reluctant to seek assistance from others, but I have suffered not only accumulating medical bills but also the loss of my income. I will also need to pay upfront to see the surgeon a few days from now for a follow-up visit and also to remove the surgical staples. I will also need to undergo a colonoscopy.

All of these medical costs will be coming in, and, with no income and rent that is due, I may have to leave the apartment I have called home in South Beach for over six years.

I’m very reluctant to ask for help but I feel I have no choice. I will use the funds I receive to pay off my medical bills, which have been mounting up, as well as my basic living expenses until I’m able to return to work.

I totally believe in being responsible for my own financial obligations, but because of the urgent nature of this situation, a number of friends have urged me to do this, so reluctantly I feel I must take this path.

Thank you in advance for any assistance you decide you can offer me. No matter how little, any help I get will help relieve this serious financial stress.

Peace.