Hi, Marni here.. doing something I never thought I would have to do. See, I'm always the fixer. I take care of everybody, everything. But here I am finding myself needing help.

2023 was not good to me. February, angioplasty with a stent placed in my leg. March, COVID. April, heart attack. May, heart failure.

Come fall, I got word that I'm losing my health insurance due to COVID provisions coming to an end. 3 days later, I received test results about the 3 cm cyst I have had in my lower abdomen for 8 years. It is no longer 3 cm, it had grown to 13 cm. 2 months later, it had grown to 17 cm. This thing is big and FEELS even bigger. I have taken a couple antigen blood tests looking for markers for cancer. So far my tests look good but they are not going to know for sure if it's malignant until it's removed at the end of January.

I was finally just getting back on my feet from everything in the first half of the year. All of my resources are now tapped. I do now have insurance but that doesn't cover all of the medical expenses that have incurred through December, as my insurance did not kick in until the first of the year.

I just find myself desperately needing help. I am a caretaker for a relative and I am going to have to be able to support the both of us over the next couple months but again, I no longer have anything to fall back on. I will not be able to work for weeks after the surgery. I am going to have exorbitant medical bills to cover. Simple cost of living...

Looking into assistance and programs available, my earnings are just a little bit too high to qualify for anything truly helpful. Just to give you an idea, yes. Regarding household income I am eligible for food stamps. $24 a month. So apparently I'm Just $24 shy a month of being able to support us, haha. IF I don't have any surgeries or grave maladies.

Look. I'm NOT taking even that help for granted, every little bit helps and sometimes those few dollars do make the difference needed. But dang.

I'm not disabled, I can absolutely work. Ya know, when I'm not recovering from surgery. Which cannot be done laparoscopically, this thing is just way too big. Anyway, yes, I am able to work. Just not towards the end of this month and a good bit of the next. I am just out of options.. I am going to need living expenses for two spanning the next couple months. Medical bills from the recent past and all kinds of deductibles and co-pays coming up from this $98,000 procedure. And everyone knows that's how they get you. Ha. Those damn deductibles right at the beginning of your policy.

So here I find myself asking for your help. And yes, it's hard. I'm just out of options. And out of work even this week, you'll never believe this...LUCKY ME got me the Rona again. Haha.. * ah-choo*

It's been a hell of a slog since my ex-husband's stroke in 2015, the same year I had my first heart attack. Financially, physically, and mentally.

For 8 years now I keep feeling as if things are going to get better.

So please, 2024.. Be kind.

Thank you for even the littlest of help. Thank you. ♥️