Travel and Hotel Expenses for Surgery in Portland

Update fourth paragraph:

I've got quite a long story, but briefly. In September of 2022 I had an abdominal incident that landed me in the ER. I was immobile, since that day I've been unable to work. After three months of living a steady decline in my health, I was diagnosed with a copper deficiency in December 2022. I've seen many specialists in Maine but this past October, they all agreed to send me to Boston, Brigham and Women's Hospital. My Maine Providers state they "do not know how to treat me" and " there's more than one thing going on".

I've had several appointments and exploratory surgery in Boston, still not having any answers to my multiple symptoms. These include: chronic fatigue, neuropathy, abdominal and pelvic pain, extreme brain fog, muscle and joint aches and pains, chronic Tinnitus, inner tremoring, mouth and teeth pain, temperature sensitivity, increased irritability, anxiety, depression and more. All of which interrupt my daily living leading to the inability to go back to work.

The exploratory surgery in October of 2023, released some adhesions in my upper left abdomen. It did not resolve my pain, copper deficiency or other symptoms. I then returned to Boston, and saw four specialists, in March. The results of these appointments had me returning to Boston on April 12th for a skin biopsy and another surgical consultation appointment to rule in or out other possible diagnoses, not just a copper deficiency. I'm diagnosed now with Central Sensitization Syndrome.

In addition to appointments in Boston, I have at five appointments a week locally and, now one Surgery scheduled for October in Portland, it is now a three day stay. All of these commitments make it impossible to have employment. My copper is now going down again. We just don't have answers.

I've been lucky to have the financial support of Angel Flight of New England to help with air and ground transportation for the many appointments I've had in Boston. They've also helped with lodging; however, they have not received funding for this so far this year. My oldest son paid for a room for two nights, in March, but I can't expect him to continue to do this. My extremely limited diet adds additional stress and costs to each trip (and everyday life).

I have been out of work now for 26 months. I am in the process of my second appeal with disability. We currently live off of my son's SSI and shared living expense support from the state to cover our monthly expenses. I have many paid and natural supports that are trying to advocate for me to get answers, for which I am so grateful.

When I moved here in 2012, I vowed to give this community the same support, advocacy and commitment to families as I had in my hometown. It's quite difficult to ask for help when I am more comfortable, and used to, being on the other side. We still do not have answers and I don't know if I'll ever be able to give back to this community again. Although I keep fighting I am tired and have to swallow my pride and ask for help. This is a very humbling experience for me and is wearing on my mental health.

The money raised will help with travel expenses, Ubers, gas to Portland, hotel stay in Portland, wear and tear on vehicles, monthly vitamin and copper supplements and food for each trip. This will help us in maintaining our daily living expenses without having to dip into our monthly budget.

Thank you for letting me tell you my story and considering donating.