****UPDATED**** 6/24/22 

 Hey everyone. I honestly never planned on putting this back up, but too many circumstances have changed and left me with no choice. Thanks to your help and kindness, I have been able to receive my gammagard infusions every month. However, due to my chronic illness, I once again have lost my job.

Those familiar with any chronic illness know how difficult it can be to keep up with a regular job. Flare ups and infections are unpredictable, and I’ve been fighting infection after infection since before I made this gofundme. Due to being so sick constantly, I had to call out of work more often than not, resulting in my dismissal. If you struggle with chronic illness, you know the fear of losing your job when you physically cannot work looms over you constantly.

Just a few days after losing my job, I’ve just found out the devastating news that my disability case was denied (after 8 months since applying). While my lawyer has informed me this is common for generally anyone under 50 and we’re already in the process of appealing, it’s going to be several more months of fighting for it. This news was blind siding and demoralizing, and frankly I’m exhausted. I have a life time of proof of my immune disorder, a paper trail of endless doctors visits and emergency room and urgent care visits WEEKLY, and even an added diagnosis of yet another auto immune disorder that I’ve received in the last two months. I have been diagnosed with, Common Variable Immunodeficiency, CFS, Endometriosis, PCOS, and Hashimoto’s Disease, how much sicker do I need to get to be considered Disabled by the governments standards? 

Now that I’m out of work, I have truly no choice but to put this back up while I figure things out. The chronic stress I’m under wreaks havoc on my barely functioning immune system, which obviously explains the multiple infections I’ve been fighting for months. I have no resources to work, live my life normally, or socialize. Going to the grocery store feels impossible(Thanks CFS), much less spending any quality time with my loved ones. The precious energy that I have is spent going to multiple specialists every week (physical therapy, endocrinologists, rheumatologists, immunologists, infectious disease, etc) and worrying about my source of income (or lack thereof). I’m beyond running on fumes. 

Any financial support is far beyond a blessing. I would not be receiving the basic medical care I need if it weren’t for everyone’s unbelievable generosity so far, but my loved ones have helped me see that it is past time for me to admit I’m in need of more help. Thank you. 

-Maggie

I am not one to ask for help or seem vulnerable when it comes to myself or my deteriorating health. However this past year has been extremely hard on me physically and financially. I have been in and out of the ER, urgent cares, and seemingly never ending doctors visits with my immunologist. Due to being extremely vulnerable to COVID, I’ve had to change jobs, resulting in a significant loss of income. It was a difficult decision but a risk I cannot take, especially when I am not able to receive the medication that helps my immune system function.

 

Some of you may know I have Primary Immunodeficiency which just means my body doesn’t make its own antibodies to fight off infections, virus’, and diseases which means I get sick more frequently, and severely. A cold for a normal healthy person is not by any means a cold for me. Last month I had a simple cold that turned into pneumonia leaving me sick for a month and I am still currently dealing with symptoms from it.

 

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary immune deficiency disease characterized by low levels of protective antibodies and an increased risk of infections.

I have been on Gammagard infusions since 2012. I have not received an infusion now since December of 2020, and my recurring infections and hospital bills can attest to that. This treatment is not a cure , but rather hope for a somewhat normal life.

 

While having insurance issues from moving from New York to Florida, it has been hard to get a handle on my health and finally I believe I’ve found the right doctors who are putting me on the right path. However the financial department of my Insurance called to tell me my copay FOR EACH infusion is $900. These are infusions I need to have done EVERY three weeks. Which I just don’t understand how anyone could afford.

 

The cost of a Gammagard infusion without insurance its about $6,500/per dose. With my insurance my out of pocket for the year is $1,500. If I can raise the $1,500 I will be set for the entire year and could start my infusions as soon as I’m able to pay it. I’m finally asking for help with financial assistance to get my health back on track and keeping my head above water with my unpaid hospital bills.

 

-Maggie