I contracted a nasty virus at the outset of November; my recovery has been complicated to some extent by my underlying heart condition.

This resulted in my missing 3 1/2 weeks of work; I have been recovering at home, aside from three check-ins at my clinic. I have just returned to work on December 4.

Unfortunately my absences were without pay. Like most of us, I live check-to-check.

I am asking for any gift of any size to enable me to pay utilities, groceries and forestall further losses. I think I can maintain working my job going forward, so this is a request for a temporary reprieve, a much needed one.

I think I'll limit my ask to this; if you're able to help, I am grateful and will pay it forward.

Thank you.