Help For Leslie's Increasing Medical Bills

Leslie and I met at Miami View Elementary School, South Charleston, Ohio. One of my first memories of Leslie, is in English class. I had forgotten a pencil and I grabbed one off her desk to use, without asking. She got so mad at me. I still feel bad, yet it was so funny to me. We got very close in HS. I remember walking out of Southeastern HS on our last day of Junior year. She was moving away and I was graduating early. I looked back at the school knowing I would not return as a student and feeling sad that I would not see her again. Well, we lost touch for many years. I searched for her years later, finding her in my early 40s. I was sad to find out that life hadn't been very nice to her, health wise. She has a beautiful daughter, she loving calls Fanci. They live nearly 3 hours away, making it difficult for us to visit. As you scroll through her photos, you will notice that, though she has been ill for years, her light has still shone very brightly!!! She loves her daughter with the ultimate devotion. And, she has tried to live life to fullest each day, without any bitterness. I don't think she will mind me sharing that, she has only asked me for financial assist once, even though she lives with barely enough to buy groceries each month. With all of this being said, here is her story....

Leslie, now 46, was diagnosed with Lupus years ago. This is a chronic disease that involves your immune system and can damage any part of your body. It cannot tell the difference between the invaders and your body's own healthy tissue. It creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy the healthy tissue, causing inflammation throughout various parts of the body. Over time, this inflammation may damage the organs of the body. (per usinlupus.com) In 2019, doctors found a hole in her heart, she received a device to close it. This didn't work and the hole got bigger. This caused her to have a stroke a few years ago and she is at risk for more. She is too unhealthy to get the procedure to repair her heart.

Most recently was diagnosed with stomach cancer, which has spread to her bones and intestines. If you were at our Class Reunion 2 years ago, you saw just how tiny she was. Well, she has since lost another 30lbs. She is unable to eat. She will soon be getting a J Tube inserted directly into her intestines. At this time, her hair and nails have stopped growing. She recently had to receive a blood transfusion, due to a hemoglobin of 4.6 (normal levels for women are 12.0 - 15.5 grams per deciliter). Critical levels are below 5.0 which can cause heart failure.

Leslie is not one to ask for help or complain about her situation. I decided to create this Go Fund Me page because of her current financial situation. Currently, she owes $9,000 in back medical bills. Her current monthly out-of-pocket co-pay is $500. She barely has money left over for essentials. Fanci is unable to work because she is Leslie's primary caregiver. Leslie is blessed to have such a devoted daughter. Unfortunately, Fanci's young life has been consumed with her mother's illnesses. So, please help me help this beautiful lady and give her a peaceful existence, in the final chapter of her short life. I greatly appreciate it and I KNOW Leslie will, too. Every dollar counts!!!

Peace, Love, and Prayers

John 3:16