Aid Needed for Her Ongoing Recovery

For a few years, I knew I'd eventually need a right knee replacement (bone-on-bone osteoarthritis). I was taking NSAIDs and unfortunately compensating on the left side of my body. Then I wound up in the hospital for almost 6 weeks. First, I had a bleed from the NSAIDs and wound up in ICU. When I was released, I (still very woozy from being in the hospital) fell in the dark walking my dog in a strange neighborhood without my walker. I fractured my pelvis in multiple places and went right back into the hospital. Later, I was released to a physical rehab, where I caught Hepatitis A and failed to get the promised physical therapy. My mother and cat died while I was in the hospital system. Finally, I came home, unable to take painkillers because of a chronic low platelet condition, and while some physical therapists came out a few times, it wasn't very useful. I think I was treated like an old woman who'd been frail and unable to walk for a long time, not like an active, vibrant woman who, shortly before December, was walking, exercising, and performing her ADLs (with the help of NSAIDs and a cane). Finally, I did find some doctors who took me seriously and some appropriate PT, but by that time I was barely able to walk at all. It's been a long, hard recovery.

One thing about hospital stays/chronic medical problems, it can very quickly drain all your money—even if you have insurance.

And then you still have your day-to-day bills to get through. I'm single, no husband to help, no kids. I didn't receive any inheritance from my mom or dad when they died. I have filed for disability, with full support of my doctors, but it's been 10 months now. (Disability is not charity—it's Social Security, which I paid into for years and years, decades of 50+ hour work weeks). I've had to raid my IRAs and sell furniture and jewelry. I'm down to considering selling my car, which I don't want to do because I really hope I will get strong enough to drive again!

I never asked for help before during this nightmare, but I do need help with basic monthly utilities.