This is really hard, to reach out and ask for help, to admit that we need help, but the fact is - We DO! The past year and a half has been a HUGE challenge for us, we have exhausted all options, and now we just need to ask for help. It all started March of 2024, when Matt got hurt at work. Prior to that, we had been a two-income family and things were going pretty well. We became a one-income family and that depleted our savings pretty quickly. There have been numerous doctor visits in St Louis, months of excruciating pain that is going untreated, because workers comp is fighting it. Most days it is hard for Matt to even walk across the house he’s in so much pain. We do have a lawyer working on it, but it has been an extremely stressful situation.

Fast forward to this year, where my medical issues have gone into overdrive. I haven’t felt well for a very long time; well, this year we found out why. In June, I ended up in the hospital with what felt like ‘stroke-like’ symptoms. After two days in the hospital and tons of tests, I was sent home clear; the only issue was low magnesium. Two weeks later, I was back in the hospital with basically the same symptoms. All the tests were run again, and once again, the only result was low magnesium. During this time, from June through the end of July, I missed many days of work. The symptoms were very difficult to deal with. Severe brain fog, numbness and tingling in my face, arms and hands, legs and feet, some days I had chest pains or trouble breathing, migraine headaches, one day as Matt was driving me to the hospital I started having tremors in my legs! (Those come and go now). The doctors kept telling me to make sure I was limiting my stress. Yeah, ok sure, no problem ! Meanwhile bills were pouring in that I could not pay, because my checks were getting smaller and smaller due to missing days or partial days. For the next few weeks, I was missing work, exhausted, not feeling well; some days I could not even sit up. Visiting my doctor constantly and just kept telling her, something just isn’t right! She decided it was time for more tests!

Numerous blood tests later, we started getting some answers. Autoimmune disease positive, and a double genetic mutation which was preventing me from being able to absorb vitamins. I was deficient in Magnesium, B12, B1, B2, B6, B12, Potassium, Ferritin, D3, Iron. Completely anemic.

Referrals were made for Neurology, Rheumatology, Gastroenterology (I could no longer take the antacid I had been on for years - it also blocked the vitamins). The neurologist started B12 shots weekly, the rheumatologist ordered more tests, and the gastroenterologist said I would need to have surgery. With all the other issues, there were no antacids I could take, and the acid was eroding my esophagus. My boss at work reached out to me around this time (end of July) and suggested I file for short term disability FLMA. She said this would protect my job, and give me a guaranteed amount of pay during this period. 60% of my actual pay. Ok, so now I have just over half of what I’m used to bringing home, and we were already struggling with.

Fast forward to Sept 19. I go to the hospital for what was supposed to be a very routine surgery (I will never use that term again!), and as soon as the doctor begins, my heart stops! 20 minutes of CPR, and life-flighted to Evansville, IN. I was on a ventilator for 24 hours. When I finally woke up, all I could remember from the day before was hearing the anesthesiologist in my ear, “Karen, your heart stopped beating but we got it going again, and now you’re going to another hospital.” One of the doctors at the hospital in Indiana said to me, “Well, you look pretty good for a girl that was dead for 20 minutes yesterday!” Uhm, ok!?! A couple of days later, while still in the hospital, they performed a cardiac catheterization and found a 95% blockage of one of my main arteries, and also found that I have a birth defect on my heart.

My husband was amazing through the whole ordeal! He is my rock! We spent 6 days at the hospital. We are yet to see the final expenses from all of that, but just the little things were difficult. The gas for a long, unplanned trip, meals for Matt(he kept skipping meals to save $), a change of clothes for him, you can only wear the same things so many days before you HAVE to change! Those little expenses add up quickly, especially when you’re not planning for them.

I still have a long way to go! I will have cardiac rehab, physical therapy, occupational therapy, numerous doctor appointments; they still haven’t figured out how to fix some of the issues. AND, I still need to have the original surgery I went in for, and a couple of others. Filing for actual disability has been suggested, but that can be a long process. Still, we are looking into all options.

At any rate, with Matt unable to work due to his back injury, and me on short-term disability from work, things have gotten more than just a little tight around here. We have sold a lot of our belongings and continue to do so. Matt has been selling many of his tools, and still has quite a few, so if you or someone you know needs something, give him a shout! We had a yard sale the week before my ‘surgery’. We have extended as far as we can on pretty much everything.

We also know that times are tough for everyone! If the only thing that you can do to help is pray for us, that is awesome! If you are willing to share this with others you know, that would be great! And if somehow, you are able to make a donation to help us out financially, we thank you more than words could ever say!

If you are still reading this, thank you for taking the time to try and understand. We appreciate all of our friends and family so very much!

With much love and appreciation!

Karen and Matt Williams