Help Holly Meet Medical Needs and Start Single Motherhood
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5 donations
Hey, y’all. I’m a soon-to-be single mom of two (Lucien is 8 and Juno is 4) who is also preparing to lose health insurance. To put it bluntly, losing health insurance will be devastating, and I need my health to be stable for my kids.
I have hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, narcolepsy without cataplexy, and a frontoparietal hygroma that may need treatment if my symptoms worsen. I am currently prescribed and take daily:
- Low dose naltrexone (reduces inflammation caused by EDS and RA…..this medication has been life-altering for me. With insurance, it is $90 for a 90 day supply)
- Dayvigo (this helps me sleep…yes, insomnia is somehow common with narcolepsy. It’s also common with EDS because of persistent pain. This med is the least expensive I’ve been able to use to treat the insomnia. I’ve tried five others. With insurance, it’s $30 every month)
- Lamictal (medication for managing symptoms related to the hygroma. With insurance it’s around $5)
- Omeprazole (manages my GERD, which, untreated, lead to scarring of my vocal cords. The medication reduces likelihood of further scarring, which would lead to me eventually losing my voice…I can get this OTC for around $30 every month)
Separately, I need to attend a mandatory seminar for families in transition. That class is $50.
Before I lose insurance at the end of February, I’d like to be able to schedule appointments with specialists I see (Neurologist, ENT, GI), and get an updated eye exam. My vision is monitored closely because of previous partial retinal detachment surgery. I also have prismatic lenses because the muscles in my eyes are really weak from EDS. Without the lenses, I have significant double vision. I need another colonoscopy this spring because of my history of colon polyps and diverticulitis, and a family history of colon cancer. I have no idea how I will afford that currently.
In addition to these conditions, I also have thyroid nodules with micro calcifications that need monitoring, as I have a family history of thyroid cancer.
Because of joint instability and my periodic, random episodes of syncope that have persisted for a few years, my neurologist has written that I should not drive. Therefore, I depend on MARTA and Uber/Lyft for transportation. I walk everywhere I can safely to avoid those expenses. $100 per month is my estimated cost for MARTA (it’s $2.50 per ticket one way). Rides have been anywhere from $8 to $25 depending on time of day and where I need to go. Ex: My ENT is in Marietta. To limit costs, I take MARTA after appointments.
I plan on applying for disability when I can, but I know it’s often a long process, and I can’t afford any kind of legal assistance. I’m happy to do art commissions, send prints, etc for donations.
Thank you so much for taking time to read this. I know things are hard for everyone right now. Even if you can’t donate, please share this. Thank you so much for everything.
With love always,
Holly