Lisa’s journey: health struggles, eviction & life stuff

Hi, my name is Lisa Thomas and I’m reaching out for help. Everyone that knows me knows this is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, is ask for help for myself (and my family). Then again my health also has never been here either. Unfortunately I’m one of the VERY MANY woman (and men) that has been misdiagnosed for the last 12 years. My body is different (just like me) and a lot of my results don’t show up the way some bodies do. I’ve been misdiagnosed with things from psoriatic arthritis to Cronic Venous Insufficiency and many others in between. I have had 7 shoulder surgeries between 12/15-12/19 with a complete reversal replacement on the left side gone wrong. That Dr. thankfully no longer has a license to practice here in NC, i just recently learned that information. Fast forward to the last 6 months. My health started giving me trouble in the beginning of December 2024. Thought it was just going to be another nasty round of bronchial stuff due to my COPD. I did forget to mention I am a type 1 diabetic that utilizes the Dexcom 7 and the Omni Pod 7 insulin pump. January was back and forth with Pulmonologist and lots of prednisone. Lots of X-rays and sputum tests. I’ve failed one, did another and it was negative, so we are doing the 3rd test now. These tests are 6-8 wks. I feel like I’m rambling and I apologize, it’s hard to put your story in a small space. Finally I AM getting actual proper diagnosis, it’s just that 12 years of being unheard has done its damage and that is what I am dealing with now and why I need help. I have gastroparesis due to my diabetes. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that my gastroparesis would turn into an eating dysfunction. I’ve recently been diagnosed with ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder). Due to the pain eating caused me because of my Gastroparesis, food meant pain so I stopped the pain and stopped eating. It also had to do with my esophagus that I struggle with. Have had it stretched multiple times. Finally did a food study and learned that mine doesn’t work right. My food was getting stuck so that’s also why the nutritional shakes were what I chose to

live on then and at the moment I still am. By the way, I do have an urgent referral appointment on October 20th. That in itself self is heartbreaking. What are we supposed to do till then? I had myself down to just 400 calories a day with no one knowing what I was doing until it got real and my body started struggling more and more. Then I had to be real and truly fight with words for me! I had to be honest with someone and share what I had been ashamed to admit to. My Dr said I need to attend an IOP program for eating dysfunction. I had to go to ER last Saturday because of extreme dehydration. That’s a constant battle because of Sjogren’s disease (another one officially diagnosed in the last 4 months). I have been in physical therapy for the last three months due to loss of balance, frozen ankle and strength for legs. It’s just finally been found and addressed that I have two crushed discs at the bottom of my back that are pinching the nerves in my legs that are making me lose the usage of them slowly. Kicker is just had a nerve study done on my legs 2 months ago and they said “nothing is pinching anything.” I told my neurologist that I didnt believe that and to please do an MRI just of that area so we can see what really is going on. Thankfully he does listen and sent me for one. Sure enough nerves are pinched and Monday I have my 1st neurological spine surgeon appointment. In my blood work that I just recently had done last week shows that I also have low iron and have 2 iron transfusions scheduled for next Tuesday and the Sunday. Then I’m scheduled to see my other Dr on Wednesday to get the IOP going because right at the moment, my lack of nutrition is making everything worse to deal with. So here is why I am asking for help. Due to all the above and more I obviously have been out of work since December. Wow, I thought being transparent about my health was hard, this is the hardest part for me. I’m asking for help because we have again tried to work with our house rental company and they won’t work with us at all. We were served eviction papers last week. Our car is way behind in payments and is due to be picked up if we don’t pay by Wednesday (June 4) even though I’m unable to drive at this point it is how I get to all these drs. . The other donations are for my treatments that I need. I talked to our health insurance company yesterday to find out if IOP is 100% covered. They only cover 80%, which means I can’t join that program because I don’t have the 20%. Same for continuing any of the 3 different types PTs I’m in. Even my Lab Co. is saying that if I don’t pay on my balance they are going to stop drawing my blood. I’m fighting for me as hard as I can, it’s impossible to do when there is no money to pay them with. I can’t collect disability because I chose to stay home and take care of 1 grandma with Dimentia, and another grandma with cervical cancer and my Mom with emphysema. I would do that all over again! I’m more than happy to answer any questions at any time. I’m sure I am missing a lot of information I should have included as in details, please reach to me with any questions, I am truly an open book. There are SO MANY struggling right now and I totally understand that. If all you can do for me after reading this is share it or say a prayer for us in whatever spiritual way you live your life by I am truly grateful!! So beyond hopeful for all that are struggling. I can’t thank you enough for reading my short version of my story and I truly encourage you to reach out to me if you have any questions at all or just want to say Hi! Everyone stay safe and ALWAYS BE KIND!!! YOU NEVER know what the person sitting next to you is going through. My family and I have exhausted all our options. Any assistance anyone can provide would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! ☮️