I'm Tracie, and up until early August this year I led a fairly normal life. On August 6th I went to bed like I always do, and on August 9th I woke up in the hospital on a ventilator.

When my daughters couldn't reach me by phone or text on the 7th and 8th, they were really worried. My older daughter was not in town so she sent a friend over to check on me. She found me crumpled beside my bed in a very awkward position, and the doctors believe I had been that way for a couple of days.

Both of my kidneys failed, and my left leg was paralyzed when they got me into the ICU. I'm told I was quite a handful, and they were unable to give me enough fentanyl and propofol to keep me still. Because of that, they had to restrain me, and I even managed to break out of those twice.

I don't remember anything about the two days I was unconscious on my floor. My first memory is that my eyes were matted and really hard to open, but when I finally pried them open there was a doctor in my face telling me not to panic, I was in the hospital. I had only ever seen a scene like that on TV so I was certain I was dreaming. I was not.

Since being discharged on September 10th, I've been going to doctor's appointments and physical therapy almost every day of the week. I see a nephrologist for the kidney failure that I experienced, a rehabilitation doctor and a neurologist (in addition to my physical therapist) for the leg paralysis, and my primary care doctor for nerve pain management. I am unable to walk without a walker, and have to use a wheelchair for tasks like vacuuming, putting away groceries that are delivered and getting in and out of the shower. I am unable to go down the stairs to my basement AND carry a laundry basket so I have to send my laundry out to be done if I don't have someone here who can help me out with that

I'm working really hard to get back to my old walking self, but with no income and the government shutdown affecting my application for temporary disability, I am relying on the kindness of my social network to help me through this dark time. If you are able to make a donation I can assure you that I will pay that kindness and generosity forward as soon as I am able. Thank you, dear friends.