I'm Nova Black, and I'm a houseless traveler. I recently got a serious injury and infection that requires refrigerated medication, and I need help.

I've been houseless for almost four years now, hitchhiking the country and healing from the trauma that led me to be houseless as a minor in the first place. I suffer with a lot of long-term mental health issues that make living indoors—especially around other people—extremely triggering for my mental illnesses, but I've been dreaming of turning a shuttle bus into a dream home for many years now. I'm hopeful that one day with a lot of work, four walls won't be so triggering for me. In fact, I've been taking steps towards that dream over the past few months, thanks to the help of my lovely community on social media.

But recently, unfortunately, tragedy struck. I shattered my elbow in early April, and accessing medical care has been horrible. Several hospitals refused to do surgery on it because of insurance issues, despite the fact that my whole elbow was just floating around dangerously in my body with no care. I've been abused and neglected at several facilities so far, and I'm really exhausted. When I finally did find a hospital to do the surgery, it got infected by an aggressive, treatment-resistant bacteria. I then had to get a second surgery to remove infected tissue, along with all the infected metal holding my elbow in place. After that, I was given the news a few days ago that I'm going to need a PICC line put in with daily injection antibiotics up to four times a day, for at least 6 weeks, to save my arm. Unfortunately, these antibiotics require refrigeration and access to clean water, which I don't have. I'll also generally need regular access to ice, a place to rest as I'll likely get sick from the antibiotics, somewhere to keep and take care of my dog, and a way to elevate my arm every day. It was also crucial that I began physical therapy over a month ago, but again, no where would take my insurance. I'm being told now that I might have permanent loss of range of motion in my arm, which is extremely devastating as a musician and traveler. If I don't get this treatment and do it perfectly though, I could lose my arm entirely. My mental health is honestly at one of the lowest points it's ever been at, and I'm really scared.

Because of all this, the hospital isn't sure what to do with me. My case worker told me days ago that I'm going to have to be discharged soon due to policy, and I'm not sure what to do. I can't take my medication without refrigeration and running water. I really need somewhere to heal on my own, preferably without constant new trauma and triggers. I'm making this GoFundMe in the hopes of being able to get a hotel room for my 6 weeks of treatment, so my recovery can finally be somewhat in my own hands again. I'll have to go to a clinic once a week in the area to change my dressing and check on my PICC line, but if I can get a room, I think that's the only supervised medical care I'll need, and I'll finally hopefully be able to recover. Please only donate if you can. This community is one of the best things to ever be part of my life, and thank you so much for reading.