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update as of 26/4:
the current estimate for Gretel's surgeries is now $1,450 because it includes her desexing. so far we haven't been able to desex her because we're unsure how well she'll be able to handle anaesthetic, but now the vet wants to do it all in the one procedure to avoid needing to anaesthetise her twice. as well, our other cat has miliary dermatitis and (possibly) ringworm and her appointment will cost us $110, in addition to any medication or treatment she'll need (x2 because she's given both to Gretel).
as well, i have three appointments coming up that will total $270 out of pocket. last week i was unable to buy my contraceptive ($77) which meant i got my period; this has triggered a bad migraine that's still with me. i still can't stand or walk with any ease.
i forgot to add that i also need new glasses! i have a new prescription that's -.50 more than my old ones, and my eye strain is contributing to my migraines. yesterday my old glasses broke, so i'd really like to order new ones asap. the ones i'm looking at are $145.
i still have a job, and just got a new job, and i'm doing the best i can to spend my money with intention so that i don't have to depend on my wider community to support me. at the moment i'm stuck in a deep hole and everything keeps piling on. i'm hoping i can climb out soon.
original post:
the tl;dr:
due to ongoing illness i haven't been able to work as much and have accrued some debt and bills that i can't afford to address.
the circumstances:
since the beginning of COVID-19, i've been experiencing chronic migraines. it's sometimes hard to tell when one ends and another begins, but i'd estimate getting 2-3 migraines a week, some lasting up to 72 hours. not all of these are debilitating - there are some that i can work through - but there are others where all i am capable of doing is sobbing in a dark room because the pain and discomfort is so intense and overwhelming.
at the moment, in addition to these migraines, i'm experiencing a flare-up of some other pre-existing autoimmune diseases: ulcerative colitis and guttate psoriasis. i've had ulcerative colitis since i was 7 and since i was 15 have been on regular infliximab infusions. however, i've been building antibodies to this treatment over time. as a result, i'm experiencing a UC flare, meaning constant abdominal pain, nausea, anemia, fatigue, and the occasional fever. guttate psoriasis is a skin condition that, as of right now, is spread across my arms, thighs, stomach, chest and shoulders. when it's inflamed it gets quite sore and irritated and will sometimes bleed; it also makes me quite self-conscious.
i also have a nerve trapped between vertebrae in my spine that occasionally gets aggravated and inhibits my ability to use one arm. this is in addition to other fibro-related chronic pain that i've received a diagnosis for but haven't found appropriate treatment.
because of the circumstances stated above, i've struggled to maintain consistent hours at work and have fallen into a bit of debt.
in December of 2020 - for reasons i won't go into - i had to be transported to the hospital via ambulance. although i have a HCC, Perth operates under St Johns Ambulance which doesn't accept HCC concessions. at the moment this bill is $1,006.
i have additional bills from St Vincent's Pathology as i had to get several blood and stool tests that weren't covered by medicare. i know one of these was $50 and i think the other is over $100 - i haven't received the bill in the mail yet.
as a separate (but related) issue, i also have a sick cat. i got Gretel during lockdown, and she is a gorgeous little tortoiseshell angel child, but she has regular coughing fits and pants and wheezes after minimal exercise. we treated her for lung worm and it didn't help, so the vet is thinking it's asthma. the vet also wants to test her for infection, so overall she's estimated sedation, a chest examination, hospital and nursing fees, and an external PCR (pathogen testing) to be between $775.40 (low) to $907.66 (high), and that's after a care plan discount as i have some insurance for her.
i have the gofundme set to $2,000 because i'm not 100% sure how much things are going to cost and i'd rather not do this again in a couple months time.
i want to stress that i'm not at great risk - i have a job, i have stable housing, and i have a support network. please prioritise people who might need immediate assistance over me. that being said, i deeply appreciate anything anybody can spare to help me get through this rough period.
arohanui <3
the current estimate for Gretel's surgeries is now $1,450 because it includes her desexing. so far we haven't been able to desex her because we're unsure how well she'll be able to handle anaesthetic, but now the vet wants to do it all in the one procedure to avoid needing to anaesthetise her twice. as well, our other cat has miliary dermatitis and (possibly) ringworm and her appointment will cost us $110, in addition to any medication or treatment she'll need (x2 because she's given both to Gretel).
as well, i have three appointments coming up that will total $270 out of pocket. last week i was unable to buy my contraceptive ($77) which meant i got my period; this has triggered a bad migraine that's still with me. i still can't stand or walk with any ease.
i forgot to add that i also need new glasses! i have a new prescription that's -.50 more than my old ones, and my eye strain is contributing to my migraines. yesterday my old glasses broke, so i'd really like to order new ones asap. the ones i'm looking at are $145.
i still have a job, and just got a new job, and i'm doing the best i can to spend my money with intention so that i don't have to depend on my wider community to support me. at the moment i'm stuck in a deep hole and everything keeps piling on. i'm hoping i can climb out soon.
original post:
the tl;dr:
due to ongoing illness i haven't been able to work as much and have accrued some debt and bills that i can't afford to address.
the circumstances:
since the beginning of COVID-19, i've been experiencing chronic migraines. it's sometimes hard to tell when one ends and another begins, but i'd estimate getting 2-3 migraines a week, some lasting up to 72 hours. not all of these are debilitating - there are some that i can work through - but there are others where all i am capable of doing is sobbing in a dark room because the pain and discomfort is so intense and overwhelming.
at the moment, in addition to these migraines, i'm experiencing a flare-up of some other pre-existing autoimmune diseases: ulcerative colitis and guttate psoriasis. i've had ulcerative colitis since i was 7 and since i was 15 have been on regular infliximab infusions. however, i've been building antibodies to this treatment over time. as a result, i'm experiencing a UC flare, meaning constant abdominal pain, nausea, anemia, fatigue, and the occasional fever. guttate psoriasis is a skin condition that, as of right now, is spread across my arms, thighs, stomach, chest and shoulders. when it's inflamed it gets quite sore and irritated and will sometimes bleed; it also makes me quite self-conscious.
i also have a nerve trapped between vertebrae in my spine that occasionally gets aggravated and inhibits my ability to use one arm. this is in addition to other fibro-related chronic pain that i've received a diagnosis for but haven't found appropriate treatment.
because of the circumstances stated above, i've struggled to maintain consistent hours at work and have fallen into a bit of debt.
in December of 2020 - for reasons i won't go into - i had to be transported to the hospital via ambulance. although i have a HCC, Perth operates under St Johns Ambulance which doesn't accept HCC concessions. at the moment this bill is $1,006.
i have additional bills from St Vincent's Pathology as i had to get several blood and stool tests that weren't covered by medicare. i know one of these was $50 and i think the other is over $100 - i haven't received the bill in the mail yet.
as a separate (but related) issue, i also have a sick cat. i got Gretel during lockdown, and she is a gorgeous little tortoiseshell angel child, but she has regular coughing fits and pants and wheezes after minimal exercise. we treated her for lung worm and it didn't help, so the vet is thinking it's asthma. the vet also wants to test her for infection, so overall she's estimated sedation, a chest examination, hospital and nursing fees, and an external PCR (pathogen testing) to be between $775.40 (low) to $907.66 (high), and that's after a care plan discount as i have some insurance for her.
i have the gofundme set to $2,000 because i'm not 100% sure how much things are going to cost and i'd rather not do this again in a couple months time.
i want to stress that i'm not at great risk - i have a job, i have stable housing, and i have a support network. please prioritise people who might need immediate assistance over me. that being said, i deeply appreciate anything anybody can spare to help me get through this rough period.
arohanui <3