As many of you know, I suffered an aneurysm on November 5, 2022. An aneurysm is a rupture of a blood vessel, which leads to uncontrolled internal bleeding. They can occur anywhere in the body, but mine occurred in my brain. I was treated by inserting a “wire” in my femoral artery in my groin and running it through my heart and up into my brain, where a stent was placed to stop the bleeding—truly an amazing procedure of modern medicine.

For the first week in the hospital I was in the Intensive Care Unit, where I depended on the nurses for almost everything. I could not walk, take care of my bodily needs, or fully comprehend what was happening to me. My mind was filled with strange visions and confused thoughts, and I believe I was fighting for my life. To read these words now brings tears to my eyes as I remember the events of those days and nights.

But with the dedication of an extraordinary group of nurses and doctors, I came through. After moving out of the ICU, physical and occupational therapists worked with me to gradually build my strength and regain my basic skills. Day by day, I found I could walk with a walker, climb a flight of stairs, and sit at a table to eat. Finally, after 23 days, the doctors agreed that I was able to go home. Let me tell you, when I was discharged and the nurse wheeled me out to my sister’s car, the sky never looked bluer, the trees greener, nor the flowers more beautiful. To feel the breeze on my face and the chill in the air was pure emotion. I am not ashamed to admit that I cried most of the way home.

Now I am recovering in my apartment in Long Beach. As of today, in mid-December, my condition is that I can get around without a walker, although I do feel off-balance sometimes, and tire easily. My biggest concern is that I have lost the use of my left eye, partly because my eyelid is forced closed because of continued swelling of my brain, and partly because of nerve damage to my pupil and eye muscles. I have been told that only time will tell if my eye will heal. I am going to believe that it will, until I hear otherwise.

My Financial Prognosis

Looking ahead, I will need financial help to pay my rent and other monthly expenses until I get back on my feet and am able to hold a full-time job. I am applying for both short- and long-term disability, but have been told by people with knowledge of the system that my chances for receiving aid are not high, and, even if I am approved, the amount may not be very much or that it could take months before I receive it.

Given all of the above, I am asking for help. I have determined that I need $3,000 monthly for expenses—a total of $18,000 for six months. This will be used for rent, phone, utilities, insurance, groceries, and transportation. In addition to the money I raise here, I have a storage unit filled with—you guessed it—books, and it is my intent to close that down as soon as possible and bring that collection home where I can sell it to raise additional money.

For now, my main focus is to heal my body and my eye. I have a long journey ahead of me, but I know that one way or another I will get through this. And one thing I have learned already is that I am surrounded by an abundance of loving, generous, compassionate, and kind friends who all deserve some sort of prize that they have not yet invented. If you are able to contribute to my cause, it would be deeply appreciated, and I humbly thank you from my heart, my brain, my femoral artery, and all the rest of this somewhat beat-up body. Thank you.

P.S. Please stay on top of your blood pressure. You don’t want this to happen to you.