My Story? It’s time to put my pride aside and ask for help. I have a short version and the long detailed version
for those interested. 

Short version  ;)
Due to my health issues, I have not worked in almost 2 years, and I have no form of income. I am in the process of waiting for an appeal (Judge hearing for SS) hoping I will get Disability benefits, but that is months away. After waiting for a year for the first available appointment, I am very hopeful to get help from a specialist in AZ, Dr. Karen Herbst on 2/29/16.

I am asking for your donation of funds to assist me with my medical expenses to go see a specialist, located in AZ for a tissue disorder. Due to the visit being out of state, the funds raised will go towards:

a) the Dr. visit on 2/29/16 in AZ which is not covered by my IA Medicaid  ($541.50)

b) Travel expenses forMe+ 1 Helper(flight, transportation, hotel) 

c) Required Labs and other Medical costs- prior and following the visit that are not covered by insurance. 

I have witnessed other people successfully using this gofundme.com website and there is no charge to you to donate. I sincerely promise to you that the funds raised will go 100% for medical reasons. It is a pet peeve to see people ask for help, yet going to get their nails and hair done, buying expensive clothing and purses. I am not that person. In fact, I have been trying to also raise $. I have listings on multiple sites, in which I am trying to sell my possessions, my art creations, clothing, jewelry, etc. to help with this cost. If you would rather get something in return for $ donation, maybe there is something I have that you would be interested in. 

I will be sharing in the future other details and links so you can see the details of the Dr visit, other documentation to learn about Dercum's Disease, information updates about my medical trip.
Here is a few key points for starters if you would like to research/learn:
*  www.lipomadoc.org ‌
* Dr Karen Herbst.
* Dercum’s Disease
* Check out my FB Albums “For Sale” …. More coming soon!  

Well, I just need to get real, Feb 29th 2016 is right around the corner, and I truly need help. Any amount $ of donation will be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to share my post.  
*************************************Short Story Ends****

 Now… Some people like a LONG STORY VERSION

Here I go….

It brought tears to my eyes as I sat in the University Of Iowa Hospital, as the Dr asked me when was the last time I remember feeling I had a normal life, a life without pain on a daily basis. My sister and I looked at each other and I came up with the answer it was over 18 years ago.

When I see ANY Dr, (including the Dr’s @ University of Iowa Hospital (UIH)), their response is a common one.  “Wow, you have a lot going on with your health, and that is a long time to deal with pain.”

I can’t explain the level of hope I had as I was waiting for months to pass, for my referral to UIH. I thought I was going to get answers, a new set of eyes, I thought UIH was like a mini Mayo clinic, a place of answers and help. Instead, I was sent away w/ Dr’s saying, unfortunately I need to continue to push through my life, continue learning to “live” w/ pain.

Over the last 18 years, due to my occupation, I have been blessed to live in IA, MN, SD, ID, and CO, which gave me many Dr professionals to get opinions from. I have been told so many conflicting things from Dr’s, and some of the same statements, which basically are defeating and frustrating. I was told there is no cure for my condition of fibromyalgia. One Dr says I take too many RX prescriptions, the next Dr in same office, said I need to increase my dosage on 3 of my RX. I’ve had many viles of blood drawn, as once I was told I have many symptoms that resemble Lupus,  and then the next Dr said Lyme disease. So many Dr's, so many rollercoaster rides, walking away with defeated emotions.

So...I "could" tell you a list of my current Diagnosis, but that is too much for anyone to listen to, let alone I rather not share everything about my health. I will share with you, that I have 5 medical professionals that signed an evaluation stating I can not work, even PT. I recently rec'd a "permanent disabled" Parking sticker. I WILL share that I feel a huge part of my health decline was due to a terrible car accident in 2009, (shortly after my mom passed away). I hit black ice going about 70 mph, and hit a bridge, twice!! The first impact was the back of the car and the second was from the force of the hit, it threw me across to the opposite side, and the car hit the front right. Two major impacts. I was lucky to survive. Prior to this, years ago, I had been taken by ambulance when living in CO, due to my back seizing up on my sciatic nerve.  Well, after years of therapy, and pain management with chiropractors, acupuncture, physical therapy, water therapy, it all came crashing down in 2014 when my L5 S1 ruptured and sent a burning feeling that numbed my left leg and first two toes. I had a major surgery that included 3 procedures on my back, However, due to the degenerative disc disease and multiple herniated (bulging) disc in my neck and low back, I still deal with major pain, spasms, and limitations. The last year has been very tough, as I ended up having a total of 3 surgeries in less than 7 months.

I have LUMPS, PAINFUL LUMPS. .... What? So.... let me explain. Looking back, when I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia, (over 15 years ago), I remember asking my friends at that time to squeeze my upper arm as hard as they could. I was hoping that eventually the muscle would give up and “Let go” or relax from the painful grip. The pain was sharp, burning, and constant. Over 4 years ago, I had a very respectable Massage Therapist tell me under my skin, it feels like I have millions of lumps, of various sizes. She said it resembled a feeling of hundreds of strings of pearls under my skin. As time passed, more showed up, the pain they were causing increased and was debilitating. I was told by a surgeon, I had too many to try to remove them, and they were called lipomas. Over the last few years, as the lipoma lumps increase in quantity, are becoming more visible, not just found by touch, and the pain is unbearable. For example, NOW it is exhausting to lift my arms to even wash my hair.

WHY DR HERBST IN AZ?  Over a year ago, I had a little light shine through. I was asking someone with similar medical history as me, if they also have painful lipomas, and if in fact it was part of the fibromyalgia. They replied I should check into what is called : adiposis dolorosa AKA Dercum’s Disease.  www.lipomadoc.org/dercums-disease.hmtl ‌
 I learned that a specialist in AZ, Dr Karen Herbst was helping people all over the world with this condition. When I called, it was over 1 year waiting period to get the first available appointment. In the interim, I continued to aggressively seek medical help locally. 

Unfortunately, as I was leaving IA CITY UIH, that was one of my last attempts. It became crystal clear, that I needed to keep my appt. in AZ, 02/29/2016. I needed to make it happen. I need to see someone that understands, is knowledgeable about this rare disease.

I have found comfort joining some FB support groups. I became close to women from Australia, Canada, Europe, and all over the USA that have already been to see Dr Herbst, and others, like me, that were also counting down the months before they could go. They too have similiar stories of going to Dr's for YEARS, and didn't get the help they needed until Dr Herbst.

I'll NEVER forget, one day, after I got out of the shower.  My arm was in terrible pain. I was exhausted. I felt like I had been water skiing for hours. Even my boyfriend, Cameron, pointed out this line of lumps, visable, huge, AND painful. I was curious, so I posted a picture of my upper arm asking others if they too had enough lumps that when inflamed, they created a band, a line, a circular ring around their arm or body. Over 60 people replied within minutes! I was in tears. People all over the WORLD were thanking me for sharing my story and pictures, and they started sharing theirs with me. I felt a sense of relief. They too had similar situations. For once, I felt I was NOT ALONE. I am NOT CRAZY. I had validation.

One lady said she found a surgeon to remove hers and the surgeon said during the operation, “ OMG, this thing has roots, it is wrapping around your muscle and veins.” She stated that later, some sites grew back, but the one where he saw the roots and removed ALL, it didn’t.

I can't wait to go to AZ and see this Dr. I believe in my whole heart and soul, it will be worth every penny. I honestly hated thinking of asking other people for help. But I just did it.... . Now, my soul is out there for everyone to know. Ouch. Well, let's face it. I just need to get real, Feb 29th is right around the corner, and I need help. Any amount of donation will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time, support, prayers, and help. I greatly appreciate each and everyone of you.

Sincerely,

Heidi