If you know Adam and I personally, you know asking for help is hard. We both are more comfortable as givers than receivers, but sometimes life hands you a curveball and you have to humbly ask for a hand up. Now is that time.

If you don't know us, let me give a quick introduction and backstory. I am Audrey Stadler-wife, mother, friend and daughter. I love the simple life- sunrises, sunsets, gardening, my dogs, and good laugh with good friends. Adam is a healthcare facilty manager at a trauma level 1 hospital in Galveston. He manages 12-15 people and 7-8 buildings. It was nothing for Adam to work 60 hours a week regularly. His job required a lot and Adam has always taken pride in his work. I used to joke that his job was "the other woman" because he spent more time there than at home. Adam's job has been his identity for 20+ years. He worked his way up from an apprentice to a journeyman plumber, then master plumber, to the white collar side of engineering then on to CHFM- Certified Healthcare Facility Manager. This is a very trying time for him. He doesn't talk about it, but I see it.

I'd like to think we were responsible with a little savings tucked away in case of a rainy day. I thought we were prepared when we sat down and opted in for disability insurance in case Adam ever faced a health crisis. Well, 2020 sure showed us we had no clue.

In late March, Adam came down with Covid 19 symptoms, but did not meet the criteria for testing. He was treated with various antibiotics through tele-medicine without improvement for almost a month. In late April, Adam's breathing worsened, he was tested for Covid 19 and received a negative test, but his symptoms continued and began to worsen. Adam's pulmonologist in Houston, Dr. Joseph Varon, urged Adam to come to the hospital immediately. Adam was admitted to the ICU at United Memorial Medical Center April 28, 2020 for respiratory distress due to Covid 19. Two days later, Adam suffered a pulmonary embolism whi kn e in the hospital. Thank the Lord for Dr. Joseph Varon and his staff for treating Adam with the MATH+ protocol; it saved Adam's life and 95% of all the other patients treated at UMMC.

After Adam was discharged from the hospital, his fight wasn't over. Over the next month Adam suffered through shingles, severe headaches, blurry vision, shortness of breath, memory loss, and other cognitive issues.

His physical body is healing, but his brain is still lagging behind. He can no longer do simple math, focus or visualize. He has trouble remembering the names of things like our gardenia; Adam asked what the green bush with white balls was, he planted that gardenia. We have had one at every home we have lived in for 24 years. Adam forgets he had a shower and insists he hadn't showered in days; I have to show him a wet towel and dirty clothes to settle him. He forgets how to use the washer and his social security number. It's scary and it worsens when he's stressed. Adam had two negative tests, May 19th and 21st, so we felt the worst was hopefully behind us.

By mid-June, we began to really feel the financial pressure of Covid 19. With Adam still off work and his sick leave exhausted, he filed for short term disability along with FMLA. That is less than 1/3 of his salary. We had to make some drastic changes, one of which was letting the apartment go in Galveston. Adam was still suffering severe nerve pain from shingles, so I did a quick turn around move out and got as much as I could as fast as I could in 30 hours.

Somewhere along the way I was exposed and contracted Covid 19. I didn't isolate from Adam. I wish I had. Three days later, Adam got it AGAIN. We were so careful when Adam had Covid the first time with sanitation, isolation and social distancing with masks. I never dreamed he would get it again or that I would give it to him!

This time, he was much sicker. We both had every symptom there is for over a month. It was pure hell. On the 8th day, I coughed up blood for 14 hours before I went to the ER; and was diagnosed with double viral pneumonia, ground glass opacities throughout both lungs - classic Covid 19. Adam ended up in the ER as well with both lungs infected with pneumonia. He was tested the week before, and that test was positive. The ER tested him as well and it too came back positive. Adam officially had Covid 19 TWICE.

We were very fortunate that Dr. Joseph Gathe, the infectious disease doctor that treated Adam during his stay at UMMC, and managed his aftercare, also treated me as well as Adam, at home through Zoom appointments. Adam has had twice a week appointments since May. I have since July. Without his help and the coordination of his staff, we wouldn't be here. He saved our lives and we are so grateful to Dr. Gathe.

We are still navigating the after effects of Covid 19 nearly 5 months out, for Adam and 2months for me. I'm having cardiac and pulmonary issues. Adam is still facing neurological issues, along with cardiac and pulmonology issues. We are finally cleared to begin seeing specialists in person, so hopefully soon we will have some answers. Right now, this virus is so new, no one knows what to expect or how long symptoms last.

During all this, we stayed afloat with savings. But that's gone. Adam's FMLA ran out July 10th. So from July 13th to the present, Adam's job is no longer protected and his is now on unpaid leave. July 16th we received a registered letter; it was a cancellation notice for Adam's health insurance for $2870.88 due Aug.5th. We never received a bill, just the cancellation notice. Our jaws dropped. His employer no longer pays any portion of his health insurance, nor does his employer offer a discounted rate for health insurance. We had to find the money and fast. We used what was left of savings, sold everything we could and paid it, but the money isn't there for next month. We owe $1454 by September 5th.

Precription copays, even with the discount cards, are over $750 a month for both of us, doctor visit copays are $700 for both of us, and health insurance is 1454 per month, that's over $150 MORE than what short term disability pays. That's not including food for us or the dogs, gas, car insurance, or utilities. It doesn't even cover medical expenses. Thank goodness, we started a little garden in the spring that has helped sustain us. I just wish I had listened to the AFLAC duck right about now.

We thought we planned and prepared by taking out short term disability insurance. We never expected Adam to get this sick for this long and we never expected to have to pay that much out of pocket for medical expenses and insurance. We don't qualify for emergency Medicaid, we don't qualify for food stamps or any other help. I've tried. Short term disability pays too much, but not enough.

I'm humbly asking for your help. I realize times are hard for all of us and everyone is feeling the pinch, so if you can't donate, we understand. Thoughts and prayers help too! Any amount is so deeply appreciated! When we get back on our feet, I promise I will find a way to pay it forward.

I'm thrifty and I always wonder where my money goes when I donate. You don't have to wonder, I'll show you if you want to see the bills, prescriptions, invoices, buget and payments, just ask. I have no problem showing you where your money and (ours too) is going.

We humbly thank you in advance, from the bottom of both our hearts for anything you can do! May God bless you and keep you safe!