I have a genetic disorder that has progressed into end-stage COPD, and I'm being evaluated for a lung transplant.

The weird thing about getting sick with a terminal *but treatable* disease in America is that if you're not mega-rich, you have to be completely poor to survive it.

I've been living like a hermit for almost two years. I've sold off, given away and just plain lost all my possessions. I was given a choice to live off of a disability check that covers rent and a single utility or I can work earning enough to pay rent, two utilities and food, but not a cent more (thankfully I have a job I can work from home). I wouldn't be allowed to have the insurance I have, otherwise - which also covers my medication, which costs $10,000/month.

Every month, I skate along with less than $20 in my bank account for at least a week. Some really old bills are coming after me, and the only way to not end up homeless is to declare bankruptcy, but part of the bankruptcy is I have to pay for classes that teach me how to live within my means and not buy useless crap, which, ironically, I cannot afford.