As many of my friends and family know, I've been having medical struggles over the past three months. First, unexpected emergency appendix removal in April. The doctors did a great job, but for some reason, I just wasn't bouncing back. I was living in severe pain all the time and believed it to be a muscle/skeletal issue. I went to my family doctor and we tried different medicine, physical therapy, even discussed a pain clinic if it continued for an extended time. Nothing was working. I would spend my days working (when I was able, sometimes the pain was overwhelming), come home to be with my family and not be able to help cook dinner or give David a bath. Then, once my family was asleep, I would go sit in my garage crying in pain for almost the entire night. It was the only place that I could go to cry and not keep my family awake all night.

This went on for two months until I begged my chiropractor to look at me. He saw the swelling on my back and the pain I was in and told me he was recommending I go to the emergency room. The doctor ordered a CT scan to check on all my insides and discovered that I had what seemed to be an abscess on my spine. I was sent to the University of Iowa hospital where I was told how lucky I was that it hadn't gone septic, and was inpatient for almost two weeks. During that time, there was a lot of blood work and testing and finally a spinal biopsy of the infection and the affected bone. It was found to be an infection which requires IV antibiotics daily for at least six weeks, so I had a PICC line placed in my arm and had those arranged. I'll still be heading back and forth to the university a few times in the next few weeks in order to evaluate my progress. I am so thankful to be back at home now, with some answers, and with a bit of a plan.

Unfortunately, due to these events, I was unable to remain at my job, which I loved so much. With my PICC line installed, my high risk of infection, and a series of appointments in Iowa City for follow-up, my doctor has told me that I'm not cleared to go back to work until this is all resolved. Due to our loss of income (I was the breadwinner during that time), things have gotten super tough and we are getting behind. It's hard to ask for help, especially when you know the people you love are also going through their own situations. Our concern is making sure we are able to pay our rent and utilities, and that we're able to afford for me to get back and forth to Iowa City for a few follow-up appointments. I know that better days are ahead and I'm so grateful that I am getting better every day.

If you've read all this, I appreciate that you took the time. If you're able to help, thank you so much for your kindness. If you've sent well wishes or prayed for us, we're so humbled to be in your hearts.

Thanks, guys.