Help Josh Overcome Medical Challenges

Hello family and friends,

For a while, I’ve been putting my health to the side or just myself in general. It’s gotten to the point where things are substantially harder now. I keep trying to push forward but more things just pile up. I’ve come to this point where I need to put myself first. Even though that could make people perceive me as being a bit harsh, then so be it. I don’t need my health getting worse.

For the past decade, since my junior year of high school (2014), I’ve been having signs that something is wrong. Doctors don’t know what exactly, but it started off with extreme fatigue. I would sleep for 13-18 hours a day and still doing tests doctors ordered but they found nothing. Then down the line, I was diagnosed with anemia and IBS. Trying to navigate that life was just something new but changes were made and then things got better.

On June 29th, 2024, Saturday, I felt really sick and could not stop feeling a big amount of pressure in my abdomen. Sunday did minimal things as possible thinking I could just sweat it out and go about my day. Oh, I was so so so wrong. Monday morning I call Kaiser to get some advice and they tell me to go to urgent care. Doctor said I had the stomach flu and to just go on a specific diet and to come or call if anything more happens. Tuesday morning while sitting on the toilet, a significant amount of blood left my body. I freaked out, called in, and they said to come to the emergency room. The emergency room visits are not cheap, I hate going there because of how expensive it can be. But I did it because obviously I want to stop bleeding. They did more blood work, scans, and gave me antibiotics. They said I had some form of colitis.

On July 9th, I finally get to talk to my PCP to review what happened at the ER. He then instructed me to get more blood work done and collect stool samples so we can pinpoint what the hell has been happening for the past decade. He thought it could be ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease or to humor me, could be a gluten intolerance.

On July 11th, 11:12pm, 3rd day of collecting stool sample and frankly I couldn’t do it. It felt like there was a rock inside my anal cavity and wouldn’t budge. It felt like a million knives stabbing into me on top of the pressure in my abdomen. I called for the advice nurse again and told her that it feels worse and doesn’t feel like anything is getting better. So I went back into the ER for the second time. I told her I’d like to avoid it as much as possible since it’s just unreasonably expensive. I know I shouldn’t care about the cost but that is one of the many stressors of being an adult living in Hawaii.

During this ER visit, he has sent a referral to surgery and GI. I don’t know what’s going on but as much as I try to downplay what’s happening.. I’m scared.

Anyway- if you’ve read this far. I’ll be out of work to focus on my health. I’ve used up the PTO I have to go to appointments but I still have rent, bills, medical expenses, and other living expenses. The donations will go towards that. Trying to recover as fast as I can so I don’t have to rely on this. But any help is appreciated. It’s taking me a lot to just shed my pride and make this post. Thank you, I love you and I appreciate any help given.

-Josh/Alexa ♡