For the last 7 months I’ve been in and out of hospitals with a condition called Recurring Myopericarditis. It causes my heart and the sack around my heart to swell creating heart damage that causes severe pain and strain on my entire body. The cause is unknown- although we have our suspicions of underlying autoimmune disorders. Unable to work during this time, I’ve had to rely on my (absolutely amazing) partner to provide for us both financially and emotionally. This has taken a huge toll on our family. We had made up our minds that we were each others forever - long before this condition started (or should I say before it was debilitating) . But as the condition progressed , as life became increasingly scarier, we made the decision to promise ourselves to one another through marriage. Knowing someone loves me enough to stand by my side, through the “ For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health” is a very powerful feeling. I truly couldn’t be happier with this undeniable connection and friendship we share. To say the least, it has kept me going. Since my last hospital stay of 8 days (allowing me to leave the hospital for the ceremony to get wed) I have had countless doctor’s appointments, blood work, follow ups etc. The toll this has taken on my mental health is immense. The injection medication I was started on seems to really be helping. The problem is that this medication is being prescribed through a rheumatologist (due to being a biological medication). Because they haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact autoimmune disorder causing the massive amount of inflammation on my heart and body- insurance has required this medication be prescribed through my cardiologist in the mean time. The injection medication I am on is very new and extremely expensive. Luckily my insurance is taking the blunt of the cost as of now due to me currently being on Medicare. My cardiologist has never used this medication and is very reluctant to take over the administration of it; therefore insurance may not be able to cover this any longer. The doctors in the hospital explained this is a life long medication and when they have tried to take other patients off of it , they have immediately went into what they call “flare ups” (where my heart will enlarge again, causing additional damage on top of the unhealed damage this condition has already caused). I ran out of this medicine while waiting on approvals this past week. My cardiologist has put me on large doses of steroids to hold me over until I receive the injections; and if anyone has ever needed steroids for an extended amount of time, they know the negative toll this medicine takes on the body. Retention of water weight, adrenal gland problems, swelling and increased risk of infections. Although I haven’t been on this long, my body is already feeling the negative effects. My support system, my parents and my wife’s parents, have helped us financially as much as humanly possible. But bills are adding up quickly. Because my injection medication is so new/rare- we have to order this medication directly through the manufacturer company due to regular pharmacies and specialty pharmacies not carrying it. I am waiting for the shipment of injections to be delivered to my house this Wednesday. Fingers crossed this happens without anymore hiccups. I have to go through injection training with this medication to ensure I am doing it as safely as possible as a home self administrator. I am waiting for word when that training will be provided. This has all felt like a fever dream. Knowing there is something that can help me but feeling like it’s out of reach , all the while having to completely surrender my ego and pride to being someone who needs a caretaker during this difficult time of my health journey. This month’s bills have been taken care of as of today ( late fees included ) my biggest fear is that my wife and I will be unable to afford the upcoming bills that are due shortly. She lost her second job to being out with me too long but is still able to work her day job. The harsh reality is that if I apply for a job (that is not physically demanding in anyways) that provides insurance, I will be kicked off of Medicaid, making it virtually impossible to afford this much needed medication. I feel stuck. I am scared of the unknown of this entire process and the amount of support I am needing right now is completely out of my comfort zone. All this being said. I need help. Making this decision to ask for external help is extremely difficult, and extremely embarrassing. But this is me , doing exactly that. I know Christmas is coming up- I know everyone is struggling right now. I know everyone knows someone in need. With that being said, if you are able to donate towards this upcoming bill cycle, your support would be beyond appreciated and possibly life saving. My injections have to stay refrigerated, therefore I cannot let my power be cut off for any reason at all. If you feel called to help, my parents have offered to help set up a go fund me page. I will include the link to that page , as well as my Venmo information/ Cash App. ,Etc… I want to thank anyone who has read this far. Your sympathy goes a very long way as well. Please consider helping my family and my cause.