Hello, my name is Cheri Harper. I am a 47-year-old single mother of 3, ages 20, 15, and 13.

I was recently diagnosed with Cushing's Syndrome. It is a rare disease that affects your adrenal/endocrine system. I have a tumor on my right adrenal gland attached to my kidney, which will require surgery after the first of the year. I began to experience a severe change in health about 3 years ago, which has only worsened with time. After dozens of doctor visits and 2 hospital stays where I was septic both times, I still had no answers.

I have finally gotten the right doctor and a diagnosis. Unfortunately, the kind of illness I have will not be a quick fix, as this disease affects all the hormones that regulate all of your body systems. I have lost vision in my left eye. It causes high blood pressure, high heart rate and palpitations, hair loss, neurological issues such as numbness in extremities, muscle atrophy, skin lesions, shortness of breath, joint pain, insomnia, and severe brain fog. There are days I can't get out of bed. I have major dental problems. I have days where I have confusion and memory issues. This has been a nightmare physically, emotionally, and financially.

I have been unable to work since I lost my job last July. I applied for disability in April and am in the process of getting that in place. My hope is that I can get healthy again and that most of this will be reversible. That's the goal.

In the meantime, I am officially desperate. I have been able to scrape by until now. I lost my vehicle, but I have managed to hang on to my house. I have to make the next 3 payments and then I can get a modification to help me get on track and by then hopefully the disability process will be done and I will be able to maintain everything.

I have nowhere else to turn but to swallow my pride and ask for help. I have exhausted every option I can think of, but there really isn't a safety net for people in my situation. We have been without electricity or water for days at a time. We have been without food other than Ramen or cereal. We have survived. My kids have been troopers. I am blessed and grateful to have kids who have went without and haven't once complained or turned on me. Seeing them having to struggle is so much worse than whatever I have to endure. For the first time in my life, I am struggling to care for thei basic needs.

So, here I am. Asking for help so that I can get through the next 3-6 months as I go through surgeries and treatment to try to get my health back. I will have to have the tumor removed. I will have to have cornea surgery. I also need dental surgery, which I don't have insurance for. I'm a fighter, and I plan to fight this thing with everything I have. I wasn't raised to quit. It isn't an option or consideration.

If you are reading this, thank you. If you are able to help, I am already grateful.