Hi,

I’m Anna, wife of a USMC 100% disabled combat vet, and mother to two amazing young adults and hospice nurse. More recently I am the patient. For the last 15+ months, I have had parotitis, causing my immune system to attack the glands in my face and neck. I have run daily fever for 13 months of that. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Sjogren’s Disease, and put on Plaquenil. Unfortunately it didn’t work for the Sjogren’s, and exacerbated Myesthenia Gravis symptoms. When they put me on pyridostigmine, I had a violent reaction to it. Both had to be stopped. I have been referred to MUSC rheumatology to see what else is going on, and what treatment options I have. Unfortunately I have been sick enough that 100% of my PTO was used up. I am almost 7 weeks into 12 weeks of unpaid FMLA time. Because I haven’t earned income, we have no way to pay for food, for travel, and especially not for the hotel room we have reserved in West Ashley, near the clinic. The hotel room alone is $420 for two nights. I loathe asking for help…but we are definitely going to have to cancel the hotel, and possibly the appointment if we aren’t able to raise some money. I was hoping this appointment would answer our questions, give me a good treatment plan, and get me back to work as a hospice nurse case manager.

If you’re able to assist financially, we certainly would appreciate it. Thank you in advance for your help.