Kimmie's Lupus Medical Expenses

Hi, my name is Kimberleigh, or as my friends often call me: Kimmie!

Just over four years ago I began experiencing a myriad of health problems. The symptoms and patterns seemed so random and diverse that it took years before a proper diagnosis was finally figured out. In the Spring of 2013 after numerous medical tests I was finally diagnosed with Lupus. Over the last 20 months I have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and Reynaud's Phenomenon- both of which are common with people who suffer from lupus.

What is lupus? Lupus is a non-contagious, autoimmune disease. In some ways, lupus represents a kind of allergic reaction by the body, in which the immune system sees the body’s own healthy tissues and cells as foreign. Lupus is also a chronic disease. This means that anyone who develops lupus will have lupus for the rest of their life. Lupus is unpredictable: It is a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel better).

Lupus has many different symptoms, and because of that, it affects each person differently. Lupus can cause a skin rash, or achy joints, it can involve the central nervous system, kidneys, heart, lungs, thyroid, brain, or other internal organs. What most people do not realize, however, is how much effort it may take for someone to function day-to-day when they have to cope with extreme fatigue, chronic pain, memory loss, medication side effects, and/or visible skin lesions.

There is no cure for lupus yet. However, there are medications and lifestyle adjustments that help many people live active and productive lives in spite of these illnesses.  After being on a waiting list for months, I finally found a rheumatoligist and have started on a regime of new medications. These medications have helped but, they cannot cure my incurable disease. I still have flare ups and when that happens, I have to miss work and miss earning my wages.

The past year has been a challenging one for my health as I learn to balance my lupus. I had a few major flares and a few big medical scares that put me in the hospital. Through a series of unfortunate events I ended up having many hospital visits, an emergency CT scan, blood tests, ultrasounds, trial medications, and referrals to specialists- most of which I have had to pay for out of my own pocket.  I also lost my home of nearly seven years and while in the midst of a severe flare up had to find a new place to live.  Slowly my safety blanket savings account was dried up and spent.  I have had a plethora of medical bills pile up and just as soon as I begin the whittle one of them down, something else seemed to pop up and add to the pile. I have tried my best to pay off as much as I can, but I have now maxed out my credit card and still have a lot of unpaid bills, and now a bunch of debt hanging over my head.

I currently only work part time- in the Summer my hours increase to full time. I am currently having trouble affording my monthly lupus medications and supplements and can barely afford my rent and food with the hours I am working- and I still have these unpaid medical bills hanging over my head. I have decided to start this GoFundMe account in hopes that I can pay off my medical bills, clear my debt and hopefully be able to afford my next few months of medications until my work picks up again.

Lupus, feeds of stress and anxiety and as I have been worrying about how I am going to make ends meet while paying off what I already owe, I have noticed my disease has been flaring up more frequently and more severely.   I work a very physical job and the more pain I am in, the harder it is to do my work, which means more lost wages.

Despite the chronic pain and fatigue that comes with my diseases I still manage to train and teach Western Martial Arts and coach a fitness class.  I love my job and my students immensely. My lupus has provided many challenges and unwanted lifestyle changes, but it has also been a great teacher. I am learning more and more about myself and my illness and how I can work with it while still continuing to live and build up my goals and dreams. I have had to slow down (which is frustrating for someone like me!) but I am still a passionate athlete and driven martial artist and I have a great team of co-workers who have been an incredible support as I battle this disease and continue to train and teach to the best of my ability. There is nothing in this world that I love doing more!

I am reaching out to my friends and my community to help me get back on my feet after this trying year. I have often been the person to help others in need- whether it is giving people a place to stay for a few weeks, making meals for hungry friends, or starting fundraisers and donating my money and time to others who have fallen on hard times. As difficult as it is for me to ask for (and accept) help I have realized that part of being strong is being able to acknowledge one's weaknesses. This past year has been a hard one on my health and finances and I am hoping to get back on my feet so that I can continue to thrive and grow despite living with Lupus.

If you can find it in your heart to donate to my cause, I promise to pay the kindness forward.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my story. If it resonates with you, please donate what you can. I would be ever so grateful.

Thanks in advance!