Hi friends,

Thirteen days ago, I was active, climbing, working full-time, playing on the river with friends, and getting ready to start a physically demanding seasonal job I was excited for.

Now, I’m watching my mobility vanish, day by day.

It started suddenly with sharp pain in both heels. Within days, the pain had spread to my ankles, spine, knees, hips, shoulders, wrists, and fingers. It feels like something is attacking my tendons and joints from the inside, and no one can tell me what’s causing it.

My labs show inflammation, possible autoimmune activity, and signs that something serious is going on. But with Medicaid, I’m facing a 4-6 month wait just to see a specialist, to have the results interpreted and receive a possible diagnosis. And in the meantime, I’m left trying to navigate testing and decisions on my own without medical guidance.

The only way to get real answers right now is to go through a direct-care clinic that doesn’t take insurance. The cost to get a full evaluation and plan for treatment is $2,500 upfront, not including any meds or imaging I might need.

I have applied for 6 medical loan opportunities of varying amounts at or under $7,000. They were all denied.

I’m scared. I’m in pain. And I’m trying to act fast before this gets worse.

It means everything to know I’m not facing this alone. I still believe I can come back from this. Thank you for helping me try.