Help Me Stay Safe and Heal After a Devastating Setback

This year has been incredibly difficult for me and my family — but these last two months have been the hardest of my life.

Not long ago, I was accidentally set on fire. I’m beyond grateful to be alive and to have survived without more severe burns. But just as I began trying to recover, I lost the ability to swallow due to complications from my esophageal scleroderma. From May 12 to May 21, I was hospitalized at Duke Hospital and discharged into home health care.

Now, I’m being tube-fed, on morphine for pain, and I receive weekly care from a home nurse. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around all that has happened. I’ve always been the sole provider for my household, and I care for my mother full-time. Despite many health challenges over the years, I’ve always fought my way back — after a seizure-related hospital stay, after my marriage and my world fell apart, and after being close to homelessness.

Just before this most recent health crisis, I had finally returned to work. I was rebuilding, clawing my way back to stability. And now, in the very same month, I find myself unable to work again — my doctors say it’s not safe to return with the feeding tube.

I am exhausted. I’m trying to stay hopeful, but I’m also scared. I just need time to heal without losing everything I’ve fought so hard to hold onto. I need help to stay in my home, to care for my mom, and to get well.

If you are able to give, any amount means the world. Even a word of encouragement helps more than you know. Thank you for reading, for caring, and for sharing this if you can.

With love and light,

Bree