Diane's Post-Surgical Fund

I have a rare condition called Subglottic Tracheal Stenosis. My airway (trachea) just below the vocal chords progressively develops scar tissue making breathing difficult. This is a dangerous and potentially fatal condition. Not only could the airway close all the way, it can become blocked by mucous at any stage of narrowing. The most common course of treatment is to have recurrent surgeries to remove the scar tissue and open the airway to give some relief.

Unfortunately, it is a stop gap procedure as the scar tissue does grow back. This is a lifelong condition with no cure. Sometimes the necessary surgeries are years apart - sometimes months.  I have had 4 procedures so far. 2 years between the first and second, 6 months between the second and third and now 3 month between the third and fourth.  My fourth surgery was March 5, 2019.

In addition to this condition, many of you know that I also have lupus and fibromyalgia. The surgeries so far have all triggered flare ups. As such, I use my sick and vacation time at work as soon as I accrue it. 

I went in to this surgery with no leave time and a University wide request for leave donations has yielded no results. I am at the point of receiving no paycheck at all for the time that I have been out. I am already financially strapped as it is. This is the only thing I could think of to help get myself and my family through this.

Without my paycheck, not only will we not eat, we will lose many of our services. If you know me at all, you know I hate asking for help. But, I'm feeling a little desperate and I need help. If there is anything anyone can do, small or big, it would be greatly appreciated.