Julie's medical fund

Hi.  I'm not really sure how to begin this.  Asking for help can be a really challenging thing.  It goes against my instincts.  I have always wanted to believe that I could handle anything life threw at me, given enough time.  But when life throws a bunch of things at a person all at once... well, that makes it soooo much harder.  In the last two years I have had three retinal reattatchment surgeries and cataract surgery.  I am now facing another cataract surgery  - and as soon as I recover from that I am facing a total hip replacement surgery.  I tried my best to manage this all on my own, but it is just too much.  Without help I won't be able to afford the cataract surgery , not to mention the hip replacement. 

I work full time and have health insurance.  But the expenses are well beyond what I can really manage.  The cataract surgery is crucial in the short term. I teach Art for crying out loud...   I also teach Digital Photography, English, Language Arts, and Wellness.   All of these are so much easier when one can actually see.   As for the hip replacement, well, those who know me know that I have been in pain for over a year now and know that I use crutches to get around.  

I have always tried to be as upbeat as possible, believing that with sheer will I could somewhow overcome any and all obstacles.  But there is only so long that I can keep trudging along without assistance.  It can be so discouraging.  I want to go hiking with my kids, or cycling, or anything that involves using my legs.  I want to be able to play the piano and paint (my depth perception is basically gone when it comes to things that are close).  And not being able to see well affects my ability to drive at night, which again affects my life with my kids.  

I wish so much that I could manage these things on my own.  But even with health insurance, I am still looking at medical bills of upwards of $10,000 altogether.  I don't have the faintest idea how I will be able to meet these expenses.  The most immediate is for the cataract surgery.  Before the surgery, I must pay for the new lens implant (which insurance will not cover).  On the day of surgery, I must pay $4000.  I simply don't have it.  And without it, I won't be able to get the surgery. And without the surgery, I will stay blind in my left eye.  Beyond the cataract surgery, I still owe nearly $3000 for the retinal detachment surgeries.  And at this point, I only have a guess for how much the hip replacement will cost me.  At this point, my best guess is a minimum of $3000.  But it could be a great deal more.  

I feel awful having to resort to ask for help this way.  But a friend suggested this, and I thought I would give it a try.  Please know that if by some chance, the amount I raise exceeds my expenses, I will absoluely donate the rest to someone else in need.  I try very hard to be an active participant in my community and volunteer in as many ways as I am able.  I try to be a good friend to others and to share and donate whatever resources I have that may be of help to others.  And I don't do this with any expectations for myself.   But now I must ask for help.  I hope that I get back on my feet as soon as possible so I can get back to being that active mom, teacher, friend, volunteer, and woman that I have always been.  And with your help, I can.

Thank you so much for any help you can give me.