- M
- N
- C
Hello friends and family!
***Update**
Thanks to the AMAZING people in my life, we were able to cover my portion of the surgery. Going to keep this page active for one more week just to try to raise anything extra for the months bills. Thank you to everyone who had shared and/or donated
Amanda Castillo here (or Bella, as some call me). Rarely will you EVER see me reaching out beyond immediate family for any type of help. Yet here I am, reaching out to the masses, hoping for some sort of miracle
I do NOT like putting my business on blast but to understand the seriousness and immediate need of this for me, let me break it down..
Health History
- Mid 2009: Diagnosed with chronic liver disease - referred to Specialist for continuous treatment;
- April 2012: Diagnosed with chronic respiratory issues - referred to 2nd Specialist for continuous treatment;
- Nov 2024: Catches Flu with Horrible Cough & Fevers - Bedridden for a week;
- Dec 2024: Rough cough continues. Visits hospital for steroid shot, diagnosed with Sepsis. Admitted for 3 days;
- Jan 2025: 4 days post discharge. Return to E.R. for bleeding. Admitted overnight. Referred to 3rd specialist;
- March 2025: Visits specialist. Surgery highly recommended to improve quality of life;
- April 2025: Surgery scheduled for May 16, 2025.
Despite the many Dr. and Hospital visits over the years, my career THRIVES...
- Feb 2025: I'm offered and accept a new role at another organization. Nice salary increase, benefits, PTO, etc. My little family finally begins to pull our heads above water financially.
- Feb 2025: Achieved dream of purchasing my 1st brand new vehicle. The future's looking bright..
Then the hits start coming. I am informed that based off of my start date, I will not qualify for short term disability pay just yet when my surgery and recovery time occurs. Ok.... so 3 weeks out of office with ZERO pay? That's scary.. My amazing coworkers help me find an internal program that'll allow me to receive at least a PARTIAL income. The financial stressing begins..
I am then informed that FULL recovery will take 6 weeks total. I have a history of not healing in a timely manner and having to extend my leaves... the stress builds at the thought of trying to scrape by financially while trying to recover.
The final blow came today. I am informed that due to my deductible not being met yet, I need to bring the $900 payment with me in order for the surgery to take place. So after paying all of our bills, both car payments, groceries and general necessities, I find out that not only will our income be drastically cut for a couple months, but I now have to magically find an additional $900 in 7 days?? Or my NEEDED surgery can't be complete? It's too soon to be able to borrow from my 401k, I don't qualify for any government assistance. I give up
I'm not sure if I will be able to pull off a miracle, but I thought the Universe may decide to send me a bit of a blessing.
I am seeking any assistance possible to just keep my family afloat during my recovery, which my husband will be trying to keep up all alone. If you can donate, we'd appreciate anything you can spare. If you can't, we understand and only ask for a share. We always try to help others when we can. We try to put good energy out there to others. Maybe it'll make its way back to us. Thanks❤️