Hi, I’m Maria. I am chronically ill. I have health issues too numerous to mention. I will talk about a few of the more disabling ones here. 2 years ago. I had a life changing emergency surgery. I had diverticulitis and did not know it and it blew up. I had stomach contents and whatever you can think of filling my abdominal cavity. I had an exploratory laparotomy where I was told I would need a mid line incision, I ended up being cut literally from top to bottom. I had to be left open and packed in certain spots to prevent an infection. Well, I ended up septic 2 weeks later and almost died again. I’m sure you can imagine what this has and continues to do to my mental health. I am still living with a colostomy and the many other disabilities this surgery has left me with. I now use a mobility scooter, can’t do household chores, cook or shop for myself. My mental health is the worst it’s ever been. I have PTSD, anxiety with panic disorder, nightmare disorder, dissociative disorder just to name a few. I go to er frequently for migraines as well as my chronic issues and panic attacks. I also have pyoderma that I now need to go to the ER for since I can longer see my wound specialist.

As can imagine my medical expenses are large. Very large. My ostomy silliness alone are $500 a month. Not including my dr visits and meds. I also need tons of specialists that I can no longer see and now I also can not work and have to pay for all this myself because I lost my insurance. When I needed it most Medicaid was taken from me, I’ve been fighting for it back but was told I’ll never get it back till I get social security and I’m still also fighting for that. I have no income. I’ve never been so scared in all my life. Th is a death sentence for me. I literally can’t function without ostomy bags, I can no longer control when I go. I have reached out to every assistance program I can. I appreciate any help!!

Let me add I recently left an abusive relationship. He started abusing me after my surgery. After many years of being together with no abuse prior to me becoming disabled. I left with nothing and not a dime to my name. I don’t even have clothes. Thanks again for your time!

btw I also have dogs I need to care for and feral cats I feed. My animals are my world.

thanks you for reading my story! If nothing else may this make you appreciate what you have and take nothing for granted!