This is not something I ever expected to have to do, and there’s a shame I feel having to fundraise and advocate for myself, but this year has been filled with so many financial hardships 

On December 19, 2020, I woke up in the middle of the night with extreme symptoms of fever, fatigue, chills, a sore and swollen throat, unable to swallow, and nausea/vomiting, after having felt 100% fine the day before. I did not have COVID-19, and went to an urgent care facility, and tested negative for strep and mononucleosis. I was given antibiotics and sent home. In the nearly 2 months that followed, multiple times I would finish a round of antibiotics, feel ok for a couple days, then my symptoms would return. For the most part of this, it was extremely painful to swallow. I was eventually turned away from urgent care, where they stated there was nothing more they could do for me. I tested negative for everything they could think of. Several emergency & office visits, and blood tests later, I found out I had not only a viral infection, but ALSO an unknown bacterial infection.

Thankfully, I am on my way to recovering physically, but this has put a huge financial burden on me even though I had health insurance. I was denied any kind of financial assistance through Vanderbilt Medical Center, even though I don’t make a substantial income amount. Between all my other bills and applying to grad schools this year, it’s just not possible to pay this in a timely manner. I understand so many others are struggling at this time and I have it much better than many, but anything anyone would be willing to contribute is so greatly appreciated.