Jaqi's Medical Emergency Fund
Donation protected
Two weeks ago, I woke suddenly in the night, lungs empty, blood pounding in my ears. I took a few deep breaths and everything seemed to return to normal, and I drifted off to sleep again. A few minutes later it happened again. And then again, and again, and again...
The next night was the same, but for a few more nights I kept hoping it would just go away. Other than mild fatigue I felt fine during the day - it was as if the nightmarish nights were just that - a bad dream. But then I'd go to bed and they were real - and terrifying. So on the tenth night, I promised myself I'd not put myself through this agony any longer, and the next day I presented at a hospital.
The initial medical diagnosis is sleep apnoea. I'm booked in for a sleep study on Friday which will confirm or refine that verdict and hopefully develop a treatment plan. But already, between consultations with an integrative GP, a kinesiologist and the sleep scientists, along with the purchase of various herbs and supplements, my medical bills for this week alone will total over $800. That's $800 I don't have - and I'm not better yet.
The frequent waking has abated since the hospital gave me a dose of Diazepam and explained that somehow my system had decided that the first prompt to breathe - rising CO2 levels in the blood - should instead be a prompt to wake in alarm. We've managed to calm that over-responsive reflex, but I'm still not breathing properly during sleep, and sleep apnoea is said to contribute to an alarming variety of other problems, including heart disease, stroke and premature death. I want to clear it up ASAP, and I know it would help a lot if I could do it without worrying about where the money will come from.
I'm not expecting anything for nothing. I may be cash-poor but I'm rich in creative skills and ideas. Choose a reward from the options listed, and check my website nightsegg.wordpress.com if you're looking for context. Any funds left over after the medical bills are paid will go toward immediate living expenses, or into a new account to create a safety net against future health needs.
The next night was the same, but for a few more nights I kept hoping it would just go away. Other than mild fatigue I felt fine during the day - it was as if the nightmarish nights were just that - a bad dream. But then I'd go to bed and they were real - and terrifying. So on the tenth night, I promised myself I'd not put myself through this agony any longer, and the next day I presented at a hospital.
The initial medical diagnosis is sleep apnoea. I'm booked in for a sleep study on Friday which will confirm or refine that verdict and hopefully develop a treatment plan. But already, between consultations with an integrative GP, a kinesiologist and the sleep scientists, along with the purchase of various herbs and supplements, my medical bills for this week alone will total over $800. That's $800 I don't have - and I'm not better yet.
The frequent waking has abated since the hospital gave me a dose of Diazepam and explained that somehow my system had decided that the first prompt to breathe - rising CO2 levels in the blood - should instead be a prompt to wake in alarm. We've managed to calm that over-responsive reflex, but I'm still not breathing properly during sleep, and sleep apnoea is said to contribute to an alarming variety of other problems, including heart disease, stroke and premature death. I want to clear it up ASAP, and I know it would help a lot if I could do it without worrying about where the money will come from.
I'm not expecting anything for nothing. I may be cash-poor but I'm rich in creative skills and ideas. Choose a reward from the options listed, and check my website nightsegg.wordpress.com if you're looking for context. Any funds left over after the medical bills are paid will go toward immediate living expenses, or into a new account to create a safety net against future health needs.
Organizer
Jaqi Pascoe
Organizer
Redfern NSW
