Fernanda's In Home Care

Hello, to those that don't know me, my name is Fernanda Campano de Albuquerque. I'm 38 years old and currently live in Brazil. Most of my friends I have met through the years at schools and work. In 2011 while studying for my Master degree I acquired, through the use of an anti malaria medication, a disease called Bullous Pemphigoid. A blistering and painful disease that attacks my skin. I developed a very severe reaction and resistance to the disease that I still haven't been able to keep in control. Due to the high doses of corticoids or steroids and biological drugs that  I have to take, I acquired other health problems, like loss of eyesight in my right eye, bone problems leading to back surgery, replacing all my vertebraes in my lower back with titanium. Most recently had intestinal problems and went in for a procedure and had a bacterial infection called sepsis, leading to lung and kidney failure. I went into a Coma and stayed in hospital from August to December of last year. Because of my skin disease my immune system is barely existent, so complications are always certain. During this time in hospital I had to rely on help from others besides family. My family is small. There are only six of us, me and a two year old included. My mom is 70 and overwhelmed. So the decision to hire a caregiver was a necessity. We hired Lara in October and she has been caring for me ever since. I'm currently receiving home care which consists of physical therapy, one Dr visit a month, oxygen and the bandages for my very deep bedsores. I get this through my insurance, so there is a positive side of being home. But I still need 24 hour care that is not provided. Since I woke up from the Coma I lost some body movements that I'm slowly getting back with physical therapy.  But I need care in the constant changing of bandages and repositioning not to open other sores. My skin condition only worsens the situation. I still have problems with my lungs and currently I'm fighting bacteria infection in my bloodstream.  So Lara's presence in my life is of the highest importance, necessity and priority. With that being said, it has come at a large cost financially, which has been difficult to maintain. It's the reason why my best friend Crissie is helping me with this page, to raise funds to pay for Lara's salary for the next few months. We should pay her more but can't afford it. And being the most caring and loving person I have ever met, she lowered her salary to stay with me. We currently pay her R$2000 reais a month, It's the equivalent of $500 US dollars a month. I ask for your help in guaranteeing her pay for the next six months. I believe that by then I won't need diapers, will be walking and moving a little better, and wounds will have healed more. Please understand that this is an uncomfortable thing to ask for, especially because I know most of you had no idea I was struggling with this. I wanted it that way.  Most of you finished your studies, had kids, got married...And I love knowing that most of you are happy. It sucks to be the downer. So I'm sorry for the silence and the distance. I realize now how much I have missed out by doing this. But now I humbly and with a little bruised pride come to ask for help, and if you can find it in your hearts to help me to keep Lara, I will be forever grateful.

I thank you all for having been in my life.

Love, Fernanda