Hi! My name is Kathy, I’m starting a fundraiser for myself. I’ve been struggling the past 3 almost 4 months now. I am humbly asking for help to pay copays and medications, as well as assistance with day to day living expenses until I can get back to living my life.

The day after Thanksgiving I tested positive for COVID, was sick and miserable for almost 2 weeks, finally tested negative and tried to return to my normal everyday routine.

This proved a lot harder than I had anticipated, I was so extremely exhausted. I was falling asleep at work just sitting at the desk. I began having trouble maintaining my usual work schedule, most days I couldn’t get up to go in and there were times I couldn’t even make it through the day. I began experiencing being painful and not having a reason for it. The fatigue is what concerned me the most, I haven’t slept this much in my life, and I love my naps. Soon after I started noticing bruising on my toes and then becoming swollen.

All of this was so distressing, I made an appointment to see the Dr, she was thinking possibly COVID triggered an autoimmune issue so we did some labwork and was referred to a rheumatologist. She still suspected an autoimmune issue.

The appointment with the rheumatologist was slightly disappointing, I didn’t receive a medical miracle but this Dr diagnosed me with Long Covid and Fibromyalgia. Referral to a long covid treatment center.

Nothing done to help me in the meantime.

I am now having difficulty doing simple tasks like showering, light cleaning, laundry, readying myself for a short outing to the store.

I am usually only productive for around 20-30 minutes, if I’m out I have to make my way to the check out or I soon begin shaking and sweating from the exertion. Light cleaning or laundry leaves me short of breath and exhausted. Taking a shower and doing all the normal shaving and moisturizing after leave me extremely fatigued.

Being so physically restrictive has really taken its toll in so many ways. The feelings of helplessness, frustration, anger, fear and just feeling like I have no more self worth is debilitating. I am actively trying to avoid falling into self pity but this has been a challenge like no other.

In my whole adult life I have never been without a job or income. I’ve always been able to rely on the knowledge that I had a paycheck every two weeks.

This is the longest amount of time I’ve been out of work. I love my job, I love who I work with, I miss them so much. I miss our wonderful clients and patients. I want to get back to work. My body is just not cooperating right now. In the next few days I have my appointment at the long covid treatment center. I’m hoping for the smallest amount of relief just to allow me to continue living my life.

I would be happy to update after my up coming appointment.