Help Kendall Cope with Chronic Illness

Hi! My name is Kendall, and for the past decade I have been dealing with chronic pain and multiple chronic illnesses. During that time I have had two brain surgeries, a thyroid surgery, many MRIs, a LOT of testing, tons of doctor's appointments, and countless pain management procedures. I have Chiari Malformation, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, and Early Degenerative Disc Disease -- all of which cause chronic head, neck, and joint pain (among other symptoms).

Many people with chronic illness end up having multiple, and a lot of the time unfortunately diagnoses can take years to get. Right now I am in the process of getting diagnosed with POTS (something that has caused multiple symptoms/episodes for me since 2021). On top of everything else, for the past 5 months I have been suffering from debilitating stomach pain that put me in the ER in December, and I have seen two gastroenterologists both of whom ultimately gave up on me after the basic tests. I FINALLY was able to see a PA the other day who brought up another chronic illness that affects the stomach; something neither of the two specialists mentioned, so I am in the process of having testing done to get that diagnosed as well.

I have trouble asking for help because I don't want to be a burden, and I know there are other people who need help more than I do, but I do still need help. With all of my symptoms, including sporadic ear problems that cause extreme dizziness, most of the time the only thing that helps is laying down or sleeping, which makes it extremely hard for me to work enough to pay my bills despite working from home. Medical debt makes that even more stressful as well.

If you've read all of this and are inclined to/able to donate, the money will be used towards the following: medical bills, medications, living expenses, and mobility aids (specifically a rollator that will make it easier for me to leave the house without exacerbating my pain and symptoms too much). If you share this page and/or donate, or even if you just read this whole thing, thank you from the bottom of my heart!