No not actual cheese.  Though I wouldn't turn down cheese.  I love cheese, never met a cheese I didn't like. Unfortunately, cheese isn't a widely accepted form of currency; and thats what I need... Cheddar, Currency, money, dolla dolla bills y'all.

I have Crohn's Disease.  It's not something I talk about often, nor do I intend to educate you about it here.  Google it. Many people I interact with regularly don't know.  Most of those who do know, it's all they know... that I have it, nothing more.  This is a choice I made a long time ago. I never wanted to use Crohn's as an excuse, a crutch or a barrier to anything. And I've done a pretty great job of accomplishing all my goals, not despite my illness but with my illness.  (Don't worry I didn't dislocate my shoulder patting myself on the back)

It seems that my Crohn's was tired of being the Pips to my Gladys.  In the past six months it's been working very hard to be center stage.  I'll give credit where credit is due, its done a darn good job.  I've been very sick.  Most days it's all I can do to turn in a solid day of work and manage a small walk with my pup.  I was sleeping 8-10 hours a night and it wasn't enough.  This culminated in December when I was admitted to the hospital through the ER. They found I had a partial blockage of my bowel. I spent three days inpatient , started feeling better and was discharged to spend the holidays with my family.  On January 7th, I returned to the ER and was again admitted. I now have a total blockage that needs to be surgically removed.  I am currently scheduled for surgery on January 13th and I will continue inpatient care for several days after surgery.  It will take me weeks to be back to full strength. 

I am extremely blessed that, as a teacher, I have very good insurance.   I, with the help of a grant from a drug company, already met my out of pocket max in early December.  Meaning both hospital stays and any further expenses (until July 31, 2015) will be completely covered by my insurance.  However, medical bills aren't the only expense one accrues when sick . Boarding for my dog while I'm inpatient and non-traditional medicine not covered by insurance, but are so vital to healing (yoga, meditation, acupuncture, etc.), are just two examples of these expenses.  Additionally, while I absolutly love teaching, it isn't a career that makes one affluent so I also work part time as a bartender and baby sit for several families. I will be lossing those wages while sick and hospitalized.

I estimate in the last six months and looking ahead to the next few months, I will have roughly $6000 in expenses, between my out of pocket medical expenses and non-medical expenses related to my illness.  

This is where I humbly ask you for help.  Any amount will help.  Also wealth comes in many forms. Perhaps yours is not cheddar but rather friends and family. In that case, please share this page and my story with others. Or perhaps you know someone that provides those non-medical healing services and they would be willing to offer free or discounted services.  Be assured, I will do my very best to pay your kindness forward in all that I do.  


                           Thank you in advance for all your
                                      support and generosity!!

Help me turn from a crazed elephant

back into a crazed pin up.