Help Our Family Recover from Unexpected Medical Crisis

Help Our Family Recover from Unexpected Medical Crisis

Six days ago, what started as flu-like symptoms turned into a medical emergency that has left me hospitalized and unable to work. I'm reaching out for help as we navigate this unexpected crisis.

Our Story

Last Wednesday, I took off work feeling ill. After virtual doctor visits and negative COVID/flu tests, I was told to rest and hydrate. By Friday, I was in the most excruciating pain of my life - I couldn't remove my sheets, stand up out of bed, walk, or even sit without full assistance. I couldn't grip my phone, or open a water bottle.

At the emergency room, doctors discovered I was experiencing severe muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) - a condition typically seen in marathon runners. Contrary to popular belief, I am chronically inside. I work remotely and rarely have the time or energy to be exposed to an extreme physical demand, so this came as quite a shock.

After five days in the hospital and countless tests, doctors still aren't certain what caused this. They suspect either an unidentified viral infection or the onset of an autoimmune condition.

Where We Are Now

I'm grateful to be home and slowly regaining feeling in my hands and legs. However, I've lost significant muscle mass and dexterity. I'll be starting occupational therapy at home while working with my doctors to understand what happened and prevent it from recurring.

Why We Need Help

I exhausted my PTO on day one of being sick. Every missed day of work since has compounded our already difficult financial strain. Previously, I could fill gaps with gig work, cash advances, but my current physical limitations make that impossible.

Over the past two years as the sole income earner, I've:

My partner recently found work, which has been a blessing, but this medical crisis has pushed us beyond our breaking point.

What Your Support Means

Your contribution will help us:

I've always prided myself on being self-sufficient, which makes asking for help incredibly difficult. But I'm scared for my family's immediate future, and I've exhausted every other option. I'm grateful for all the support I've already received to this point, and I am gutted that I am now having to ask for more. It should never be this way, and I will hold this shame until I am able to actually grow past it. For now, I'm pushing aside the shame that I feel to ask for help with the entirety of my being.

Any amount helps, and sharing this post means the world to us. Thank you for taking the time to read our story.

With gratitude and hope,

The McCormick 4 (Chris, Amber, Emery, and Ollie)