I am Julian Kalyanapu and this is my story. In the first week of September this year, I noticed a pea sized lump on my neck. I realised the lump was growing in size and by the second week, it was the size of a walnut. So, I visited the Urgent Care at Santa Clara Valley Medical Centre, San Jose on 9th September. Blood tests, Ultrasound, CT scan of head, neck and chest were conducted. I was referred to the ENT department. The doctors assessed me and by the end of the day they narrowed it down to lymphadenopathy and necrosis of a conglomeration of lymph nodes. This means that my condition could be anything ranging from a simple bacterial infection that can be cured by a course of antibiotics to a complex cancer. On 12th September, ENT specialists performed a needle biopsy. Since I passed out while the procedure was in progress, they couldn't get enough sample for various tests that had to be run. In the the second and the third week of September, I had high grade fever every evening. I was asked to see the doctor on 18th September. The doctors noticed that the lump had grown in size. The culture from the needle biopsy, however, did not show any growth. The doctors prescribed antibiotics for ten days to check if they would work for the fever, cough and the lump. If the antibiotics wouldn't work, I would have to undergo an open biopsy (surgery) after 2 weeks. On the same day, a PPD test was done to check if I was affected by TB. The results would come only after 48 hours. On the 20th of September, I visited the hospital and the reports of the test showed I was PPD positive, but my chest X-ray was clear. This means I am exposed to TB which is not contagious. On the same day, I spoke to the doctor about the possibility of having the surgery back home (India). Since my infection was not contagious, the doctors gave me a green signal to travel. I was asked to stop taking the antibiotics because the side effects were severe and it could lead to something more serious. All the while I had fever only in the evenings which was taken care of by Tylenol (Paracetamol). I decided to travel back home (Hyderabad, India). My tickets were booked for the 26th of September. On 24th morning, I had high fever, chills and body aches. I threw up the little that I was eating. Having these symptoms in the morning was unusual. I rushed to the ER where I was put on IV fluids and antibiotics. That evening I was informed that my WBC count was very high (20k) and that my immunity was very low. I was therefore, not fit for travel. The doctors said I would need to be hospitalized till my WBC count came back to normal and my immunity improved. I was put on IV fluids and antibiotics for three days and my WBC count came back to normal by the evening of 26th. However, my immunity was still low and I was very weak. On the 27th of September, an open biopsy was performed to examine the lump. I am recuperating from the surgery as I await the biopsy report. I came to the US in April 2017 to pursue an MBA in California Baptist University. Being a missionary kid it was difficult for me to afford the tuition, so my parents mortgaged our house and we acquired a loan to pay my tuition. I graduated successfully in August 2018. As an international student, I am allowed one year to both find a job and work in the US. I have been looking for a full time job since September 2018, but couldn't find one yet. I don't have an income that will cover my increasing medical expenses. Please be kind and help me in your capacity. Please do share with your friends and family and keep me in your prayers too. Your help will go a long way in supporting me and my family. Thank you and God bless you! Julian.