As many of you know, this year did not start out on the right foot for Melissa. On Jan 17th, she was brought to the hospital by a ambulance for severe chest pain that had her bent over her knees. After several labs and scans, Pericarditis with effusion (fluid around her heart) was what she was dealing with. Since January, she has had 3 additional visits, 2 of which resulted in hospital stays and 1 long 48-hour ER visit.

Lets back up just a little bit and give you a little bit of a back history of her health so you can follow along. Back in 2017, she was not feeling well every couple of months; it was something else every time she turn aurned around, labs were all wonky, and ANA that they run for autoimmune disorders was positive, but she was also on a lot of prednisone, so her labs were being affected and giving false readings for specific autoimmune disorders they would run for based on her symptoms. During Covid, she was one of the first 20 in CNY to be tested for Covid, but her test came back negative after 22 days. As she had all the symptoms, doctors believed she did have covid. Still not feeling well they sent her back to the hospital and she was diagnosed with Pericarditis with an effusion which was more then likely from the covid. ANA was still positive but they could not pick up an autoimmune disorder because yet again she was on a lot of prednisone. Melissa had the Pericarditis 3 times that year: January, July, and November. After a virtual visit with Cleveland Clinic, as it was Covid, it was determined that she was being treated with the proper meds, just not the proper strength and for the proper length. A cardiac MRI was ordered, which showed an area on the right side of her heart that is actually calcified from the Pericarditis. With the proper meds, and for the proper length and proper strength finally after a year, she was back to "normal" with no evidence of Pericarditis. Until this year when it all started again. Not a week has gone by that she has not seen or talked to a doctor by phone since January 17th. It has been the hardest year of her life. The Dr's have done every test possible to her heart, including a cardiac cath, which thank god was negative, and all they can say for the heart/chest pain symptoms are Chronic Pericarditis.

On March 5th, 2025, there was finally a lab result that was positive that finally made sense, and it was that they picked up that she was positive for Lupus. Now everything, all the way back to even when she was young, with episodes with her health, all now makes sense. Especially during Covid and the Pericarditis, as Lupus has a huge link to Pericarditis. Unfortunately, now the Lupus is attacking her kidney, called Lupus Nephritis; it is attacking her liver, vision, skin, and nervous system with Neuropsychiatric Lupus (NPSLE), where it is causing her to have severe head tremors that look like seizures. Melissa is now taking 19 different medications and 24 pills a day. Just last week she learned that the infusion she has been receiving is not working, and they need to switch to a new infusion, which as of right now is going to cost $1000 an infusion out of their own pockets as insurance will not cover all of it. They are trying to get an assistance program for it, but it is not guaranteed. They have added another med, and based on her labs in January 2026, they plan on adding another med.

They currently are paying around $450 a month on prescriptions. Every time she goes to the doctor's, it costs a $40 copay, and billed from the lab about $15-$20 every time. Imaging is a $40 copay and then 20% coinsurance. Don't get me started on how many images she has had this year. They have been keeping up, but it is getting rough. Melissa has been pulled from work since 2/28/25 and now is permanently disabled, never able to return because of tremors and not being able to drive more than 6 hours a week since 5/2025. Thank the lord she took a long-term disability policy through her work, but unfortunately, it is only good for 2 years, and as of February they will be done with year 1. They have provided her with a lawyer to help her get approved for SSDI, but unfortunately, last week, 12/10/25, she was denied. Of course, the lawyer is going to appeal it, but we all know how long NY State takes. Thank heavens for her husband Mike who can afford to take over her car payment as the disability is only 1/3 of what she was making a month.

In January 2026, their insurance deductible of $1500 for doctor visits and $100 for prescriptions all start all over. As her heart has taken a huge hit this year, the cardiologist has her going back to Cleveland Clinic, and the appointment is January 22-23, 2026. They were contacted on 12/15/25 by the Cleavland Clinic who informed them that is is going to cost $2500 to walk in the door because of their deductible; they don't believe it will be met by the time they are seen by them and based on the copays based on how many Dr's she will see and how many images Melissa will have in those 2 days. They will need to stay overnight for 2 nights as it is 2 days worth of appointments, and if something is found, they may need to stay longer. Things are going to start to get really rough, especially at the beginning of the year. Even $1 will go a long way. The Trask's will be forever grateful for every person that donates and that has already reached out this past year. They will one day hope to give back to anyone in need like they are today.

Thank You

STEPH

Lupus Sucks